The present invention provides methods of treating or preventing at least one of postnatal depression (PND) and postnatal anxiety (PNA), and risks and sequelae thereof, by administering Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 or derivatives thereof, in addition to uses, compositions, and medicaments comprising Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 or derivatives thereof to treat or prevent at least one of PND and PNA, and risks and sequelae thereof.

The present invention relates to the use of at least one Lactobacillus bacterium, or a composition comprising thereof or conditioned thereby, for decreasing a population of Bilophila wadsworthia or inhibiting the growth thereof

The present invention relates to a composition suitable for preparing a dairy product comprising at least one starter culture and a Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain capable of imparting onto the dairy product and enhanced creamy flavor without affecting the rheology negatively, the fonnentation time or the post-acidification of the dairy product. The present invention further relates to processes for preparing a dairy product, such as a low-fat yoghurt or cheese, which has a high content of diacetyl. A Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain useful for preparing such dairy product is also part of the present invention.

A method of inhibiting oral pathogens comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of Lactobacillus strain-containing food composite, medical composite and oral cleaning composite. The food composite, medical composite and oral cleaning composite comprises at least one Lactobacillus strain, which is at least one isolated Lactobacillus strain selected from a group including Lactobacillus acidophilus F-1 strain, CCTCC NO: M2011124; Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salicinius AP-32 strain, CCTCC NO: M2011127; Lactobacillus reuteri GL-104 strain, CCTCC NO: M209138; Lactobacillus paracasei GL-156 strain, CCTCC NO: M2014590; Lactobacillus helveticus RE-78 strain, CGMCC No. 13513; Lactobacillus rhamnosus CT-53 strain, CCTCC NO: M2011129; and Lactobacillus paracasei ET-66 strain, CGMCC No. 13514, which are respectively preserved in China Center for Type Culture Collection (CCTCC) and China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center (CGMCC).

A method of inhibiting oral pathogens comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of Lactobacillus strain-containing food composite, medical composite and oral cleaning composite. The food composite, medical composite and oral cleaning composite comprises at least one Lactobacillus strain, which is at least one isolated Lactobacillus strain selected from a group including Lactobacillus acidophilus F-1 strain, CCTCC NO: M2011124; Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salicinius AP-32 strain, CCTCC NO: M2011127; Lactobacillus reuteri GL-104 strain, CCTCC NO: M209138; Lactobacillus paracasei GL-156 strain, CCTCC NO: M2014590; Lactobacillus helveticus RE-78 strain, CGMCC No. 13513; Lactobacillus rhamnosus CT-53 strain, CCTCC NO: M2011129; and Lactobacillus paracasei ET-66 strain, CGMCC No. 13514, which are respectively preserved in China Center for Type Culture Collection (CCTCC) and China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center (CGMCC).

The present invention relates to food-grade bacteria and methods for removing toxic compounds, including lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic and pesticides, from contaminated environments or substances.

A method of inhibiting oral pathogens comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of lactobacillus strain-containing food composite, medical composite and oral cleaning composite. The food composite, medical composite and oral cleaning composite comprises at least one lactobacillus strain, which is at least one isolated lactobacillus strain selected from a group including Lactobacillus acidophilus F-1 strain, CCTCC NO: M2011124; Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salicinius AP-32 strain, CCTCC NO: M2011127; Lactobacillus reuteri GL-104 strain, CCTCC NO: M209138; Lactobacillus paracasei GL-156 strain, CCTCC NO: M2014590; Lactobacillus helveticus RE-78 strain, CGMCC No. 13513; Lactobacillus rhamnosus CT-53 strain, CCTCC NO: M2011129; and Lactobacillus paracasei ET-66 strain, CGMCC No. 13514, which are respectively preserved in China Center for Type Culture Collection (CCTCC) and China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center (CGMCC).

A method of inhibiting oral pathogens comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of lactobacillus strain-containing food composite, medical composite and oral cleaning composite. The food composite, medical composite and oral cleaning composite comprises at least one lactobacillus strain, which is at least one isolated lactobacillus strain selected from a group including Lactobacillus acidophilus F-1 strain, CCTCC NO: M2011124; Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salicinius AP-32 strain, CCTCC NO: M2011127; Lactobacillus reuteri GL-104 strain, CCTCC NO: M209138; Lactobacillus paracasei GL-156 strain, CCTCC NO: M2014590; Lactobacillus helveticus RE-78 strain, CGMCC No. 13513; Lactobacillus rhamnosus CT-53 strain, CCTCC NO: M2011129; and Lactobacillus paracasei ET-66 strain, CGMCC No. 13514, which are respectively preserved in China Center for Type Culture Collection (CCTCC) and China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center (CGMCC).

The present invention relates to a microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria characterized in that it is capable of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans, wherein the specific binding is (i) resistant to heat treatment; and/or (ii) resistant to protease treatment; and/or (iii) calcium-dependent; and/or (iv) formed within a pH range between 4.5 and 8.5; and/or (v) formed in the presence of saliva. Preferably, the specific binding can be assayed as follows: (a) growing said microorganism to stationary phase; (b) mixing said microorganism with Streptococcus mutans which has been grown to stationary phase; (c) incubating the mixture obtained in step (b) under conditions allowing the formation of aggregates of said microorganism and Streptococcus mutans and (d) detecting aggregates by the occurrence of a pellet.

Another aspect of the present invention is an analog or fragment of said microorganism which is thermally inactivated or lyophilized, wherein said analog or fragment retains the capability of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans. In addition, the present invention encompasses compositions and additives for food, feed or drinks comprising the microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria which specifically bind to Streptococcus mutans or an analog or fragment thereof. Moreover, uses of said microorganism or said analog or fragment thereof for the preparation of an anticariogenic or pharmaceutical composition or anticariogenic food or feedstuff as well as methods for producing said compositions or food or feedstuff are provided by the present invention.

The present invention relates to a microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria characterized in that it is capable of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans, wherein the specific binding is (i) resistant to heat treatment; and/or (ii) resistant to protease treatment; and/or (iii) calcium-dependent; and/or (iv) formed within a pH range between 4.5 and 8.5; and/or (v) formed in the presence of saliva. Preferably, the specific binding can be assayed as follows: (a) growing said microorganism to stationary phase; (b) mixing said microorganism with Streptococcus mutans which has been grown to stationary phase; (c) incubating the mixture obtained in step (b) under conditions allowing the formation of aggregates of said microorganism and Streptococcus mutans and (d) detecting aggregates by the occurrence of a pellet.

Another aspect of the present invention is an analog or fragment of said microorganism which is thermally inactivated or lyophilized, wherein said analog or fragment retains the capability of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans. In addition, the present invention encompasses compositions and additives for food, feed or drinks comprising the microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria which specifically bind to Streptococcus mutans or an analog or fragment thereof. Moreover, uses of said microorganism or said analog or fragment thereof for the preparation of an anticariogenic or pharmaceutical composition or anticariogenic food or feedstuff as well as methods for producing said compositions or food or feedstuff are provided by the present invention.