The invention provides a composition comprising Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 strain DSM 14241 for use in preventing, alleviating the symptoms of or treating, alone or as an adjuvant component, a metabolic syndrome related disorder selected from prediabetes, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The effect may be achieved by simultaneously: decreasing the level of glycated haemoglobin HbA1c, decreasing or preventing low-grade inflammation on a cellular level and increasing the level of adiponectin.

The present invention relates to a novel Lactobacillus sp. isolation strain having an activity to inhibit the growth of vaginitis pathogens, and a pharmaceutical composition, a health functional food, and a cleansing product, comprising the strain as an active ingredient. Therefore, the present invention exhibits an effect of inhibiting the growth of Sneathia spp. pathogens associated with the infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) and the incidence of bacterial vaginitis, Gardnerella vaginalis as a vaginitis pathogen, and Candida albicans as a causative bacteria of Candidal vaginitis, and an effect of recovering and maintaining the vaginal microflora, and thus can be used for the prevention and treatment of female vaginitis.

The present invention relates to a prebiotic composition comprising a microbially produced oligosaccharide, wherein the oligosaccharide is characterized by being selective for a pre-determined probiotic bacterial strain and also capable of being produced by the pre-determined probiotic bacteria by reverse enzyme action. The present invention also relates to methods of screening a composition suitable for use as a prebiotic and methods for screening of prebiotics for incorporation into synbiotic formulations.

The present invention relates to a prebiotic composition comprising a microbially produced oligosaccharide, wherein the oligosaccharide is characterized by being selective for a pre-determined probiotic bacterial strain and also capable of being produced by the pre-determined probiotic bacteria by reverse enzyme action. The present invention also relates to methods of screening a composition suitable for use as a prebiotic and methods for screening of prebiotics for incorporation into synbiotic formulations.

A method for inhibiting xanthine oxidase and for reducing uric acid levels using a pharmaceutical composition or a food product obtained by culturing Gluconacetobacter hansenii or Acetobacter pasteurianus in a medium. Also disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition and a food product that each include a metabolite of Gluconacetobacter hansenii or Acetobacter pasteurianus for reducing uric acid levels in a subject and methods for producing the pharmaceutical composition and the food product.

Compositions wherein foodstuffs act as carriers of freeze-dried probiotics provide new means for administration of probiotics. The products that are easily shipped may be eaten as purchased or mixed with other ingredients to provide variety in the diet while administering beneficial probiotic organisms to the gastrointestinal tract.

The subject invention provides compositions and methods for treating human dermatological conditions by employing a microbiome-centered treatment approach. Preferred embodiments of the invention provide pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions, and the methods of using the same, comprising a strain of Lactobacillus fermentum bacterium, or bioactive extracts thereof, derived from human microbiota and capable of growing in biofilm phenotype.

The subject invention provides compositions and methods for treating human dermatological conditions by employing a microbiome-centered treatment approach. Preferred embodiments of the invention provide pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions, and the methods of using the same, comprising a strain of Lactobacillus fermentum bacterium, or bioactive extracts thereof, derived from human microbiota and capable of growing in biofilm phenotype.

The subject invention provides compositions and methods for treating human dermatological conditions by employing a microbiome-centered treatment approach. Preferred embodiments of the invention provide pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions, and the methods of using the same, comprising a strain of Lactobacillus fermentum bacterium, or bioactive extracts thereof, derived from human microbiota and capable of growing in biofilm phenotype.

Provided herein are novel Lactobacillus fermentum strains, NRRL B-67059 or NRRL B-67060, compositions containing the NRRL B-67059 or NRRL B-67060 strains, and fermented dairy products and bioactive compounds prepared using the NRRL B-67059 or NRRL B-67060 strains. Also provided are methods of modulating the immune system of a subject.