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New insights on the colonization of the human gut by health-promoting bacteria

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Abstract

We are beginning to see how the microbiota of the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT) can drive the development of new products to benefit human health and wellbeing. Despite the growing market for prebiotics and probiotics, there are currently no commercial products available that aid or increase the attachment of health-promoting bacteria to the gut mucosal surface. Components in milk have the potential to increase commensal adherence in the gut by priming the bacteria or the mucosal surface for colonization. Such compositions have potential for supplementation in many products aimed at individuals at different life stages or those suffering from various disease states where lower numbers of health-promoting bacteria such as bifidobacteria are evident. This review will explore how milk ingredients may lead to the attachment of larger numbers of bacteria with health-promoting properties in the gut.

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Funding

Sinead T. Morrin was in receipt of a Teagasc Walsh Fellowship. This research was funded by Teagasc (Grant No. 2014058).

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  1. Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61C996, Ireland

    Sinead T. Morrin & Rita M. Hickey

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  1. Sinead T. Morrin
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  2. Rita M. Hickey
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Correspondence to Rita M. Hickey.

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Morrin, S.T., Hickey, R.M. New insights on the colonization of the human gut by health-promoting bacteria. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 104, 1511–1515 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-019-10336-w

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