Probiotics: Which ones are good?

Probiotics: Which ones are good?

With a market increasingly saturated with products offering different options, it is natural to wonder which ones are truly useful and which probiotics have a genuine beneficial effect. If we list the most commonly used microorganisms with probiotic action, we can find examples such as Lactobacillus plantarum, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, and Saccharomyces boulardii.

However, when we talk about different probiotics, we are referring to a complex classification, where different microorganisms are categorized not only by species but also by strain, one example being the GR-1 strain of L. rhamnosus. It is the strains that determine the effect of the probiotic.

Dosage and route of administration

Apart from selecting the correct strain, we must ensure that a sufficient amount reaches the affected area. There are many areas of action for these products: topical, vaginal, nasal application, etc. However, the most studied and common is their application in the digestive system. In order for the microorganism to act in the intestine, it must start from a high concentration and be protected throughout the digestive tract using the appropriate excipient. An example of the necessary requirements is to use formats that do not generate cellular stress, such as capsules, stick packs, or liquid suspensions. 

Does it depend exclusively on the type of probiotic used?

Unfortunately, it is not that simple. Although the effect of the probiotic depends greatly on the strain used and its survival until it reaches the affected area, we must also take the consumer into account, as it is the state of their microbiota that determines which probiotic they need. Ideally, the patient's deficiency should be studied, and they should be given the specific probiotic to help regulate it. In order to obtain a truly positive effect, we must know the condition we are suffering from, use the strain with the correct regulatory capacity, and protect it with the optimal excipients.

What media are suitable for probiotic cultivation?

Probiotics are still microorganisms, with specific nutritional requirements and a dependence on the nutrients they can obtain from their environment.

At Condalab, we offer different culture media and bioingredients to obtain a high density of healthy microorganisms ready for the final formulation:

• MRS Broth 
• Low pH MRS Broth 
• Casein Peptone 
• Tryptone
• Yeast Extract Probiotic Grade