Provided is a lactic acid bacteria growth promoter which has a growth promotion effect on lactic acid bacteria. The lactic acid bacteria growth promoter includes at least one peptide selected from the group consisting of: a first peptide having a total number of residues of not more than 9 and comprising a hydrophobic amino acid residue at the C-terminus; and a second peptide having a total number of residues of not more than 9. The ratio of the total number of hydrophobic amino acid residues and proline residues to the total number of residues is not less than 2/3.

Lactobacillus reuteri strain having NCIMB accession number 42835 is from a novel phylogenetic clade and has unique immune-stimulatory properties and enhanced ecological performance in the human gut. A substrate for the strain, such as raffinose, may be administered at the same time as or separately from the strain.

Provided are a microorganism selected from the group consisting of Lactobacillus salivarius LMT15-14 (Accession No. KCTC14142BP) and Lactobacillus plantarum LMT19-1 (Accession No. KCTC14141BP) or a combination thereof or a culture or extract thereof, and a use thereof.

The subject invention provides compositions and methods for inhibiting viral infections. Preferred embodiments of the invention provide pharmaceutical compositions, and the methods of using the same, comprising a strain of Lactobacillus fermentum bacterium, or bioactive extracts thereof.

The present invention provides a novel lactic acid bacterium having antioxidant and anti-aging functions and a dementia alleviation effect, and more specifically, provides Lactobacillus pentosus var. plantarum C29 KCCM11291P and Lactobacillus curvatus C3 KCCM430009. In addition, the present invention provides an antioxidant and anti-aging pharmaceutical composition and a dietary supplement containing the Lactobacillus pentosus var. plantarum C29 KCCM11291P or Lactobacillus curvatus C3 KCCM430009 of the present invention as an active ingredient, and a composition for preventing or treating dementia and a dietary supplement for preventing or alleviating dementia, containing Lactobacillus pentosus var. plantarum C29 KCCM11291P or Lactobacillus curvatus C3 KCCM430009 as an active ingredient. Additionally, the present invention provides a composition for preventing or treating dementia, containg a fermentation composition, as an active ingredient, fermented by Lactobacullus pentosus var. plantarum C29 KCCM11291P or Lactobacillus curvatus C3 KCCM430009.

The present invention relates to a method for selecting a yoghurt sample with a creamy mouthfeel, comprising the steps of: (i) providing one or more yoghurt samples; (ii) determining from the one or more yoghurt samples the time to breakup using an extensional rheometer; and (iii) optionally, measuring the viscosity and/or shear stress of the one or more yoghurt samples; and (iv) selecting one or more yoghurt samples.

The invention relates to a composition for producing a fermented milk product comprising: (i) a starter culture comprising a glucose-fermenting Streptococcus thermophilus (St) strain and a glucose-fermenting Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (Lb) strain; and (ii) a glucose-deficient Streptococcus thermophilus (St) strain, wherein said St strain is galactose-fermenting and carries a mutation in the DNA sequence of the glcK gene encoding a glucokinase protein, which mutation inactivates the glucokinase protein or has a negative effect on expression of the gene.

Methods of reducing milk glycans, and thus enteric pathogens that use such glycans as carbon sources, in the gut of nursing mammals.

Novel strains of Lactobacillus plantarum GCWB1001 deposited as accession number KCCM12698P, Pediococcus acidilactici GCWB1085 deposited as accession number KCCM12699P, or Lactobacillus rhamnosus GCWB1156 deposited as accession number KCCM12700P are disclosed. The novel strains have the excellent effect of treating or alleviating respiratory diseases. Additionally, provided are a pharmaceutical composition, a health functional food composition, and probiotics, all of which have the effect of treating or alleviating inflammatory diseases or respiratory diseases, containing any one of the novel strains.

A soil improving agent having a pellet shape and an excellent pathogenic microbe/virus eliminating ability is provided. The soil improving agent having a pellet shape includes lactic acid bacteria being live cells and a pellet-forming carrier, and the pellet-forming carrier has a volume mean diameter of 50 to 130 μm.