The present invention provides a method of controlling growth of unwanted microorganisms by limiting their access to manganese. More specifically, the present invention provides a method of inhibiting or delaying growth of yeast and mold by reducing the manganese concentration in a product which is preferably a food product. The invention also provides manganese scavengers and uses thereof to inhibit or delay fungal growth.

The present invention provides novel use of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei K56 in alleviation of intestinal inflammation. Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei K56 of the present invention has the deposit number CGMCC 15139 or DSM 27447. It was discovered in the present invention that the strain alone was highly efficacious at alleviating intestinal inflammation, reducing inflammatory factors IL-6 and/or TNF-α, promoting the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10, and reducing the tissue damage of colitis.

The probiotic composition comprises at least one lactic acid bacteria strain, preferably Lactobacillus with intestinal tropism, for use in promoting juvenile growth in livestock, with stimulation of linear growth and/or of IGF-1 level. Exemplary lactic acid bacteria include Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus paracasei and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. The strains can be selected in a mouse model. The invention also relates to a probiotic treatment method using this composition.

Disclosed are a yoghurt for regulating intestinal tract, preparation method therefor, and use thereof, where the yogurt is prepared from raw materials comprising the following parts by weight: 90-97 parts of raw milk, Lactobacillus gasseri of (0.7-5)×10.sup.8 CFU/100 g raw milk, Streptococcus thermophilus of (0.1-9)×10.sup.10 CFU/100 g raw milk, Lactobacillus bulgaricus of (0.1-9)×10.sup.10 CFU/100 g raw milk, Lactobacillus acidophilus of (0.5-7)×10.sup.8 CFU/100 g raw milk, Lactobacillus plantarum of (0.5-7)×10.sup.8 CFU/100 g raw milk, Lactobacillus paracasei of (0.1-9)×10.sup.7 CFU/100 g raw milk, and other probiotics, and prebiotics such as inulin. The yogurt may regulate the balance of intestinal flora and prevent constipation and gestational diabetes in overweight and/or obese pregnant women during the gestation period.

A nutritional composition obtainable by fermenting a mixture comprising protein, carbohydrate and fat, wherein the major source of protein is potato protein, and wherein the mixture is fermented by lactic acid-producing bacteria.

The present invention relates to a direct vat set starter culture composition comprising lactic acid bacteria comprising a manganese transporter for fermenting a food product and for inhibiting or delaying growth of fungi in said food product, characterized in that the composition comprises up to 600 ppm of manganese.