Provided a method for promoting growth of bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium. The method for promoting growth of bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium includes subjecting a milk culture medium containing one or more selected from the group consisting of cysteine, cystine, and a salt thereof to heat treatment and then culturing bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium in the milk culture medium.

This invention relates to new uses of Bifidobacteria (particularly, although not exclusively, probiotic Bifidobacteria), and to food products, feed products, dietary supplements and pharmaceutical formulations containing them. The bacteria are suitable for the treatment of myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure.

The present invention relates to fermented plant-based compositions and methods of making the same.

Compositions for promoting intestinal health are disclosed and described. In one example, the composition can include a combination of cyanidins and delphinidins, in an amount sufficient to treat intestinal hyperpermeability. In a further example, the composition can further comprise a prebiotic blend and fructooligosaccharides. Further presented herein, is a method of treating a condition or disorder related to gastrointestinal health in a subject. In one example, the method can include maximizing tight junction integrity in epithelial cells of gastrointestinal tract of the subject.

Provided are compositions comprising at least one organism of a strain of the order Clostridiales and methods of use thereof for protecting against an infection, such as a viral, protozoal or fungal infection in an animal. Also provided are methods for improving hatchability of an egg under contaminated conditions by protecting against infection of an avian in ovo.

The present disclosure relates to a method of altering intestinal microbiome in a patient having cystic fibrosis comprising administering at least one of Bifidobacterium and/or Bacteroides to a patient and allowing the Bifidobacterium and/or Bacteroides to alter the intestinal microbiome.

The present disclosure relates to a method of altering intestinal microbiome in a patient having cystic fibrosis comprising administering at least one of Bifidobacterium and/or Bacteroides to a patient and allowing the Bifidobacterium and/or Bacteroides to alter the intestinal microbiome.

According to the present invention there are provided methods of regulating the immune system of a companion animal and methods of improving the digestion of a companion animal, wherein each of said methods comprises administering to a companion animal a probiotic bacteria strain of the genus Bifidobacteria.

Comestible products, for example beverage products, are disclosed containing encapsulated probiotic bacteria having resistance to subjection to at least thermal and acidic conditions. Beverage products include at least one aqueous liquid and capsules comprising a gelled mixture of alginate and denatured protein, and probiotic bacteria entrapped within the gelled mixture. The average particle size of the capsules is optionally less than 1000 microns (μm) in diameter, such as less than 500 μm in diameter. Methods are provided for making such encapsulated probiotics by providing a mixture comprising sodium alginate, denatured protein and active probiotic cells, and combining the mixture with a divalent cation to initiate cold gelation of the sodium alginate and denatured protein to form a second mixture. The second mixture is passed through an opening having a diameter of less than 1000 μm to form capsules. The weight ratio of protein to alginate is from 1:1 to 9:1.

The present invention provides compositions incorporating lactic acid bacteria or bifidobacteria with components that act to enhance the function of lactic acid bacteria or bifidobacteria. The present invention relates to a composition containing at least one component selected from the group consisting of lutein, fish oil, lactoferrin, vitamins, γ-aminobutyric acid, and zinc, and a strain of lactic acid bacteria or bifidobacteria.