Probiotics… The Importance of Its Viability

Lily M. Vargas Rodríguez

Department of Animal Science, Universidad del Papaloapan, México

Dr. Lily M. Vargas Rodríguez, Department of Animal Science, Universidad del Papaloapan, México. <a

Keywords: Probiotics; Pathogenic Bacteria; Antibiotics

Abstract

Probiotics composed of live microorganisms are considered functional foods that have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the digestive, immune and respiratory systems. Other studies associate probiotics with cholesterol reduction, obesity, risk of diabetes and coronary heart disease, however, more scientific studies are needed.
Among the probiotic bacteria for human consumption we find the most widespread, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, lactose fermenting bacteria and other carbohydrates, which produce lactic acid, organic acids, and their metabolites, and create acidic conditions that inhibit the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria, whose optimum pH is 6 to 7, the probiotic bacteria displace the pathogenic bacteria by competitive exclusion and create favorable conditions for the beneficial bacteria, helping to maintain the intestinal microbial balance.
On the other hand, indiscriminate use of antibiotics is now used as growth promoters in animal production that has a residual effect on meat, poultry, pigs and cattle in general, which generates bacterial resistance to the consumer with very serious consequences which are extremely detrimental to the health of man. Since 2006, the European Union has banned the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in animal production, which has made it necessary to seek alternatives, such as probiotics, to replace antibiotics as growth promoters.

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