The present invention relates to bacteria and metabolites thereof that are capable of binding to vaginal cells and producing hydrogen peroxide, their use in probiotic compositions and food products and methods for their selection. The invention also relates to the use of said bacteria, metabolites and probiotic compositions for the prevention and/or treatment of urogenital disorders.

A probiotic composition is provided. The probiotic composition comprises different probiotic strains. The probiotic composition generally comprises: Bifidobacterium lactis; Lactobacillus acidophilus; Lactobacillusplantarum; Lactobacillus rhamno-sus; and Lactobacillusparacasei. The composition comprising suchprobiotic strains has abeneficial effect onthe intestinal microbiome diversity, improves the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, and encourages growth of beneficial microbiota not contained in the composition itself. Also provided herein are uses of the probiotic composition.

A probiotic composition is provided. The probiotic composition comprises different probiotic strains. The probiotic composition generally comprises: Bifidobacterium lactis; Lactobacillus acidophilus; Lactobacillusplantarum; Lactobacillus rhamno-sus; and Lactobacillusparacasei. The composition comprising suchprobiotic strains has abeneficial effect onthe intestinal microbiome diversity, improves the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, and encourages growth of beneficial microbiota not contained in the composition itself. Also provided herein are uses of the probiotic composition.

Process for producing an ambient storage food product comprising providing a food product with a pH of between 3.4 and 4.4, subjecting the food product to a heat treatment to obtain a heat treated food product, adding aseptically to the heat treated food product one or more of ambient storage lactic acid bacteria strains to obtain an ambient storage food product, and storing the ambient storage food product at ambient temperature for a period of time, wherein the ambient storage lactic acid bacteria strain is selected from the group consisting of strains, (i) wherein the strain is capable of retaining viability at the end of 150 days at a temperature of 25#C, and (ii) wherein the pH at most decreases 0.8 units during the storage period, and (iii) wherein the strain is selected from the group consisting of Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, and mutants and variants thereof.

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 invention provides a method and bacterial compositions for reducing or preventing an infection of a bodily tissue by a fungal microorganism by contacting the tissue with a composition comprising a purified Lactobacillus paracasei bacterium.

The invention relates to a coffee-based beverage comprising probiotics, wherein the probiotics has a live probiotic cell count of >6.0 log CFU/mL. The invention further relates to a method of preparing the coffee-based beverage with a live probiotic cell count of >6.0 log CFU/mL, comprising the steps of: mixing coffee brew with sugar and an inactivated yeast to form a mixture, adding probiotics to the mixture to form an inoculated mixture, and fermenting the inoculated mixture for a pre-determined period of time to form the beverage. The probiotics may comprise Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus fermentum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Saccharomyces boulardii, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or a combination thereof.

A preparation comprising probiotic strains belonging to the genera Bacillus sp., Lactobacillus sp., optionally Pediococcus sp. as viable cells or cytoplasmic extract thereof, and proteases, wherein the strains can degrade peptide sequences of gliadins. The preparation can be used to produce gluten-free foods from gluten-containing cereals or to treat gluten-related disorders.

A probiotic composition comprised of a probiotic, a prebiotic, a complex-starch reducing enzyme, an enzymatic co-factor, and a pH modifier. The probiotic composition facilitates the creation of a biofilm within the GI tract of poultry that outcompetes and excludes pathogens. The probiotic composition can be incorporated into an eggwash and sprayed onto an egg, the sprayed egg developing a stable probiotic population within the GI tract of the pre-hatched chick. The probiotic composition can also be incorporated into poultry feed by applying the probiotic composition as a mash prior to pelleting. The probiotic composition can also be applied post-pelleting as a wet or dry spray, directly onto the pellets. In some instances, the probiotic composition can be added a drinking water source used by poultry as a water additive. Poultry that consume feed or water that contain the probiotic composition develop a stable probiotic population within their GI tracts.

A probiotic egg wash for the exterior surface of the eggshell that is ingested by the developing embryo resulting in an established GI tract microbiome that promotes health and outcompetes potential pathogens such as Salmonella is provided herein. In the preferred embodiment, the probiotic wash is composed at least of L. casei, L. rhamnosus, L. planitarum, L. paracasei, and/or B. lactis at a concentration of between 10.sup.2 to 10.sup.9 CFU per egg.