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decades (Yoo and Kim 2016). The intestinal microflora has mechanisms that alert
the host to an infection. The gastrointestinal tract maintains an extensive and highly
active immune system. And it is the microorganisms in the gut altogether that
functions to protect this microenvironment. These endogenous microflora aid in the
metabolic functions of the body, and assist in the development of the complex
mucosal and systemic immunoregulator circuitry. They protect the gastrointestinal
tract (GIT) against colonization by exogenous microbes and in the prevention of a
potential intestinal mucosal invasion by an incoming pathogen. So any alterations in
the intestinal microflora can cause dysbiosis. This dysbiosis is related to different
important pathologies to which many therapeutic strategies are now implemented
that aims in rebuilding and restoring balance of the intestinal ecosystem. The idea
of functional food is an example of a strategy in counteracting intestinal dysbiosis
(Canny and McCormick 2008). Administration of probiotics, prebiotics and its
combination (synbiotics) function in the displacement of these potentially pathogenic bacteria and help in returning the balance of the microbial community. Newer
therapeutic approaches like phage therapy and fecal transplantation are now also
being studied (Moelling et al. 2018). All these strategies however, share a common
goal that is, to restore eubiosis (i.e., to replace pathogens with more favorable
microbes) (Moelling et al. 2018).
10.2 Probiotics
The word “Probiotics” is derived from the Greek word meaning “for life”
(Bandyopadhyay and Mandal 2014). These are non-pathogenic live organisms
when given in adequate amounts will have beneficial effects on the hosts. Kollath in
1953 was the first one to use this term. He claimed that different organic and inorganic supplements can restore the health of malnourished patients. This word was
then used by Ferdinand Vergin in 1954, a scientist who found out about the beneficial effects of probiotics on the gut microflora when he was studying the effect of
antibiotics and similar substances on gut microbial population. In 1962, Lily and
Stillwell published an article in Science wherein they added to the definition of
probiotics: “substances secreted by one microorganism which stimulates the growth
of another.” Parker in 1974, described “probiotic” as not only microbial organisms,
but also ‘other substances’ that help in the intestinal microbial balance. And it was
Roy Fuller in 1989 who redefined probiotics when he removed “other substances”
from the definition. He stated that probiotics are “live microbial feed supplements
which beneficially affects the host animal by improving its intestinal microbial balance”, and this definition of probiotic is the basis of the one used today (Fuller
1992). Today, the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) and World Health Organization
(WHO), defined probiotics as “live microbes which when given in adequate amount
provides health benefit to the host.”
S. Palai et al.
decades (Yoo and Kim 2016). The intestinal microflora has mechanisms that alert
the host to an infection. The gastrointestinal tract maintains an extensive and highly
active immune system. And it is the microorganisms in the gut altogether that
functions to protect this microenvironment. These endogenous microflora aid in the
metabolic functions of the body, and assist in the development of the complex
mucosal and systemic immunoregulator circuitry. They protect the gastrointestinal
tract (GIT) against colonization by exogenous microbes and in the prevention of a
potential intestinal mucosal invasion by an incoming pathogen. So any alterations in
the intestinal microflora can cause dysbiosis. This dysbiosis is related to different
important pathologies to which many therapeutic strategies are now implemented
that aims in rebuilding and restoring balance of the intestinal ecosystem. The idea
of functional food is an example of a strategy in counteracting intestinal dysbiosis
(Canny and McCormick 2008). Administration of probiotics, prebiotics and its
combination (synbiotics) function in the displacement of these potentially pathogenic bacteria and help in returning the balance of the microbial community. Newer
therapeutic approaches like phage therapy and fecal transplantation are now also
being studied (Moelling et al. 2018). All these strategies however, share a common
goal that is, to restore eubiosis (i.e., to replace pathogens with more favorable
microbes) (Moelling et al. 2018).
10.2 Probiotics
The word “Probiotics” is derived from the Greek word meaning “for life”
(Bandyopadhyay and Mandal 2014). These are non-pathogenic live organisms
when given in adequate amounts will have beneficial effects on the hosts. Kollath in
1953 was the first one to use this term. He claimed that different organic and inorganic supplements can restore the health of malnourished patients. This word was
then used by Ferdinand Vergin in 1954, a scientist who found out about the beneficial effects of probiotics on the gut microflora when he was studying the effect of
antibiotics and similar substances on gut microbial population. In 1962, Lily and
Stillwell published an article in Science wherein they added to the definition of
probiotics: “substances secreted by one microorganism which stimulates the growth
of another.” Parker in 1974, described “probiotic” as not only microbial organisms,
but also ‘other substances’ that help in the intestinal microbial balance. And it was
Roy Fuller in 1989 who redefined probiotics when he removed “other substances”
from the definition. He stated that probiotics are “live microbial feed supplements
which beneficially affects the host animal by improving its intestinal microbial balance”, and this definition of probiotic is the basis of the one used today (Fuller
1992). Today, the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) and World Health Organization
(WHO), defined probiotics as “live microbes which when given in adequate amount
provides health benefit to the host.”
S. Palai et al.