Arthur Ouwehand

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. | IFF

The gut microbiome is impacted by certain types of dietary fibre. However, the type, duration, and dose needed to elicit gut microbial changes, and whether these changes also influence microbial metabolites, remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of supplementing healthy participants with two types of non-digestible carbohydrates (res...

Introduction The oligosaccharide 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) is a predominant component of human milk, serving as a prebiotic for gut microbiota and influencing immune development in infants. Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis (B. infantis) is a commensal bacterium found in breastfed infants. Both 2′-FL and a specific strain of B. infantis, B...

Chitin–glucan (CG) is a new generation of prebiotic. Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM® (NCFM) is a probiotic with the ability to decrease abdominal pain. We evaluate the functional and molecular gastrointestinal responses to a synbiotic administration combining CG and NCFM in a rat model of long-lasting colon hypersensitivity. The intracolonic pressu...

Importance Probiotic supplementation may improve bowel movements. However, large, properly designed studies are lacking. Objective To evaluate the potential benefit of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis HN019 on constipation, expressed as complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs). Design, Setting, and Participants This randomized triple-bli...

How probiotics as functional ingredients are incorporated in food, dietary supplements, and live biotherapeutic products depends on and is influenced by regulations, manufacturing, product development, and clinical research. Here, we discuss the challenges and opportunities that exist within these categories, depending on the intended use, target p...

Aging has been associated with a changed composition and function of the gut microbiota (GM). Here, we investigate the effects of the multi-strain probiotic HOWARU® Restore on GM composition and function in seniors. Ninety-eight healthy adult volunteers aged ≥75 years were enrolled in a randomised, double-blinded intervention (NCT02207140), where t...

Probiotics are live microbes, that when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. Various health benefits have been documented for different strains/combinations of probiotics; mostly related to digestive and immune health. Because the gut is also linked to many other organ systems, health benefits outside the gut have...

Application of beneficial microorganisms as probiotics targets a broad range of intended uses, from maintaining health and supporting normal bodily functions to curing and preventing diseases. Currently, three main regulatory fields of probiotic products can be defined depending on their intended use: the more similar probiotic foods and probiotic...

Nutraceuticals and probiotics have been in focus in nutritional research because of their benefits to human health. These benefits, combined with the need for improvements, have resulted in a pursuit of new options to elucidate the mechanisms of action of bioactive compounds. Development of omics techniques have been able to fill in the knowledge g...

Gut motility is central to bowel function, and dysmotility leads to slow transit and constipation, which is associated with primary gastrointestinal and extraintestinal disorders. Gut transit time, stool frequency, consistency, and bloating are the main clinical outcomes of interest for dysmotility in constipation and are affected by age, gender, l...

Research on gut microbiota has generally focused on fecal samples, representing luminal content of the large intestine. However, nutrient uptake is restricted to the small intestine. Abundant immune cell populations at this anatomical site combined with diminished mucus secretion and looser junctions (partly to allow for more efficient fluid and nu...

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 is a probiotic with several documented human health benefits. Interest in probiotics has led to the development of new formats that probiotics, including HN019, can be supplemented into. In this study, we looked at common HN019 formats such as frozen culture and freeze-dried powder as well as supplementi...

Purpose To determine the role of Lactobacillus strains and their combinations in inhibiting the colonization of H. pylori and gastric mucosa inflammation. Methods Human gastric adenocarcinoma AGS cells were incubated with H. pylori and six probiotic strains (Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, L. acidophilus La-14, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Lp-115...

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) shape the developing infant gut microbiota. In this study, a semi-continuous colon simulator was used to evaluate the effect of 2 HMOs—2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) and 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL)—on the composition of infant faecal microbiota and microbial metabolites. The simulations were performed with and without a pr...

Plain Language Summary What is the context? Probiotics, available to healthy consumers as both dietary supplements and foods, are also used by some patient populations. The goal of this paper is to determine if any new factors have emerged that would impact current views about probiotic safety for both these populations. What is new? The authors co...

Introduction Bioavailability of calcium is an important consideration when designing supplements for achieving adequate calcium intake, mainly in high-risk, and aged populations. Alternative supplementation strategies may be able to circumvent absorption issues commonly seen with calcium supplements. The objective of this study was to assess the bi...

Current evidence suggests that gut microbiome-derived lipids play a crucial role in the regulation of host lipid metabolism. However, not much is known about the dynamics of gut microbial lipids within the distinct gut biogeographic. Here we applied targeted and untargeted lipidomics to in vitro-derived feces. Simulated intestinal chyme was collect...

The primary objective of this randomised, placebo-controlled, triple-blind study was to assess whether orally consumed Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14 (La-14) and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HN001 (HN001) colonise a healthy human vagina. Furthermore, potential effects on vaginal microbiota and immune markers were explored. Fifty women devoid of va...

Traditional probiotics comprise mainly lactic acid bacteria that are safe for human use, tolerate acid and bile, and adhere to the epithelial lining and mucosal surfaces. In this study, one hundred commercial and non-commercial strains that were isolated from human feces or vaginal samples were tested with regards to overall growth in culture media...

Alginate oligosaccharides (AOS) are non-digestible carbohydrates from brown kelp. As such, they are dietary fibers and may have prebiotic potential. Therefore, we investigated the capacity of gut bacteria to utilize AOS with single-strain cultures and as a complex bacterial community. Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Lacticaseibacillus casei and Lacti...

Current evidence suggests that gut microbiome derived lipids play crucial role in the regulation of host lipid metabolism. However, not much is known about the dynamics of gut microbial lipids within the distinct gut biogeographic. Here we employed targeted and untargeted lipidomics in the in vitro derived feces. Simulated intestinal chyme was coll...

Background: Probiotics may alleviate lactose maldigestion. Objectives: The objective was to select a probiotic with high lactase activity and compare it with lactase and placebo in clinical trials. Methods: Bacterial cultures were screened for lactase activity in a model of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 (Bi-07)...

Akkermansia muciniphila is a well-known bacterium with the ability to degrade mucin. This metabolic capability is believed to play an important role in the colonization of this bacterium in the gut. In this study, we report the identification and characterization of a novel Akkermansia sp. DSM 33459 isolated from human feces of a healthy donor. Phy...

Development of the gut-brain axis during early-life is an important contributor of brain structural and functional development. Human milk oligosaccharides and gut microbiota have potential beneficial effects on various aspects of development; however, the effects of 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis Bi-26 (Bi-26)...

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most prevalent bacterial diseases worldwide. Despite the efficacy of antibiotics targeted against UTI, the recurrence rates remain significant among the patients. Furthermore, the development of antibiotic resistance is a major concern and creates a demand for alternative treatment options. D-mannose,...

There are different models available that mimic the human intestinal epithelium and are thus available for studying probiotic and pathogen interactions in the gastrointestinal tract. Although, in vivo models make it possible to study the overall effects of a probiotic on a living subject, they cannot always be conducted and there is a general commi...

Bulletin of International Dairy Federation No. 514/2022, 1-175 is an update of the Bulletin of the IDF No. 377-2002, No. 455-2012 and No. 495-2018

The microbiota–gut–brain axis is a bidirectional communication pathway that enables the gut microbiota to communicate with the brain through direct and indirect signaling pathways to influence brain physiology, function, and even behavior. Research has shown that probiotics can improve several aspects of health by changing the environment within th...

There is increasing evidence for a gut-skin axis and a potential influence of the skin microbiota on skin health. With this in mind, there is an opportunity for probiotics, even though they have traditionally been investigated for their intestinal and immune benefits. The skin has an important function as a barrier. Here, oral and topical probiotic...

Human milk is rich in oligosaccharides that influence intestinal development and serve as prebiotics for the infant gut microbiota. Probiotics and 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL) added individually to infant formula have been shown to influence infant development, but less is known about the effects of their synbiotic administration. Herein, the impact o...

Optimal gut motility is central to bowel function and gut health. The link between the gut dysmotility related disorders and dysfunctional-intestinal barriers has led to a hypothesis that certain probiotics could help in normalizing gut motility and maintain gut health. This review investigates the roles of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN...

Background Of the many neurotransmitters in humans, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) shows potential for improving several mental health indications such as stress and anxiety. The microbiota-gut-brain axis is an important pathway for GABAergic effects, as microbially-secreted GABA within the gut can affect host mental health outcomes. Understanding...

Probiotics, either as dietary supplements or vaginal applications, are commonly marketed for women to balance vaginal microbiota and reduce the risk of vaginal disturbances, such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). This is supported by clinical research and meta-analyses. However, scientific consensus is lacking whether...

In 2001, the World Health Organization defined probiotics as “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host”. This definition was reaffirmed in a recent consensus paper. While this definition appears clear at first glance, the term “probiotic(s)” is sometimes misused, which has led to widespre...

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), the third largest solid fraction in human milk, can modulate inflammation through Toll-like receptor signaling, but little is known about their immunomodulatory potential in the oral cavity. In this study, we determined whether the HMOs 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL) and 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL) regulate human-beta def...

Objectives Prebiotics and probiotics have been studied for their beneficial effects on various aspects of development, but much remains unknown regarding interactive effects of their supplementation. This study investigated the effects of dietary 2’fucosyllactose (2’FL; prebiotic) and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis (Bi-26; probiotic) on beh...

Objectives Human milk is a source of oligosaccharides that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria. Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis, a dominant species in breastfed infants, has the capacity to utilize milk oligosaccharides. Herein, the effects of 2'fucosyllactose (2'FL), B. infantis Bi-26 (Bi-26), and a combination thereof on piglet gut m...

Objectives Probiotics and 2’fucosyllactose (2’FL) have been shown to affect immune development in infants, but less is known about their synbiotic administration. Herein, the effects of 2’FL and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis (Bi-26) on immune development was investigated in the young pig. Methods Male piglets (N = 53 were provided ad libi...

Objectives Human milk contains both prebiotic oligosaccharides and live bacteria, which are thought to bring health benefits to breastfed infants. Herein, we investigated the impact of formula supplementation with 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL) and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis (Bi-26) alone or in combination on growth, organ weights, and intest...

The role of the vaginal fungal community, the mycobiota, in women's health is an emerging area of research. Utilization of novel molecular technology enables more in-depth characterization and identification of fungal diversity, and their potential associations to health. The present study is a substudy of a larger observational clinical trial inve...

Aims Use of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause damage to the gastric and duodenal mucosa. Some probiotics have proven useful in ameliorating the harmful side‐effects of NSAIDs. Our aim was to evaluate whether oral administration of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis 420 (B420) can attenuate the increase of calprotectin excret...

Many functional food ingredients improve intestinal barrier function through their colonic fermentation products short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Effects of individual SCFAs have been well studied, but the effects of SCFA mixtures–colonic fermentation products have been rarely investigated. Therefore, this study used an EnteroMix semi-continuous mo...

Viral infections continue to cause considerable morbidity and mortality around the world. Recent rises in these infections are likely due to complex and multifactorial external drivers, including climate change, the increased mobility of people and goods and rapid demographic change to name but a few. In parallel with these external factors, we are...

In general, oral health can be achieved with good oral hygiene, which is directly related to the control of biofilm in the oral cavity. Mechanical control of biofilm plays an important role, with chemical methods being indicated as complementary. Although the available chemical methods are effective, they fail to prevent microbial recolonization, a...

Probiotics, by definition, provide health benefits to the consumer. This holds true for both single- and multistrain probiotic products. In some markets, there is a tendency to include even more strains in a product with the suggestion that the number of strains alone is guaranteed for improved efficacy. Here, we have reviewed the literature and co...

Aging is a normal fact of life and starts from birth, as a maturation process. Together with this physical and mental maturation, changes in lifestyle, diet and health status occur. It is therefore not surprising that the microbiota changes as well. What is cause and effect in this relation is not always clear. There are, however, major changes in...

The intestinal microbiota changes in response to aging. The intestinal microbiota has a profound effect on the functioning of the intestine in health and disease. There are hormonal, immunological and neurological connections between the intestine and other organs systems in the body, and potentially vice versa. The intestinal microbiota may theref...

The successful development of probiotic foods and dietary supplements rests on three pillars; each with their specific challenges and opportunities. First, strain production; this depends on selecting the right strain with promising technological properties and safety profile. Further the manufacturing of the strain in a stable format at sufficient...

Objective To evaluate the effects of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 (HN019) on clinical periodontal parameters (plaque accumulation and gingival bleeding), on immunocompetence of gingival tissues [expression of beta-defensin (BD)-3, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), cluster of differentiation(CD)-57 and CD-4], and on immunological properti...

Data on characteristics of clinical trials with probiotics, registered at ClinicalTrials.gov were retrieved from the registry . Data on the registration process itself (moment of registration of the trial in relation to date of inclusion of first participant, data of completion of the study) as well as the number of participants were analysed. A tr...

Still relevant after 19 years, the FAO/WHO definition of probiotics can be translated into four simple and pragmatic criteria allowing one to conclude if specific strains of microorganisms qualify as a probiotic for use in foods and dietary supplements. Probiotic strains must be (i) sufficiently characterized; (ii) safe for the intended use; (iii)...

Over 1,000 clinical studies with probiotics, registered at ClinicalTrials.gov and/or the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) of the World Health Organization, have addressed over 700 different diseases and conditions. The average size of a clinical trial with probiotics (74 participants) is comparable to the overall average of a...

Vaginal microbiota dysbiosis and bacterial vaginosis (BV) affect negatively women’s health. Understanding vaginal microbiota fluctuations in BV during and after antibiotic treatment would facilitate accurate decision-making on the treatment regimen, avoid unnecessary antibiotic use, and potentially mitigate recurrence. We investigated vaginal micro...

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) such as 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL), and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), a prebiotic carbohydrate mixture, are being increasingly added to infant formulas, necessitating the understanding of their impact on the oral microbiota. Here, for the first time, the effects of 2’-FL and GOS on the planktonic growth and adhes...

The objective of this study was to investigate probiotic microorganisms for use as starter cultures in dry fermented sausages production. A total of eight strains were studied evaluating technological and safety characteristics including the ability to grow, lactic acid production, gas formation, catalase activity, nitrate reductase activity, prote...

There is strong evidence that foods containing dietary fibre protect against colorectal cancer (CRC), resulting at least in part from its anti-proliferative properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of supplementation with two non-digestible carbohydrates, resistant starch (RS) and polydextrose (PD), on crypt cell proliferative state...

The present study aimed to investigate whether probiotic recovery is affected when consumed together with antibiotics. Fecal samples were collected from an earlier antibiotic associated diarrhea, randomized, placebo-controlled study with a product consisting of a combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, Lactobacillus paracasei Lpc-37, and Bif...

The growing worldwide epidemic of obesity and associated metabolic health comorbidities has resulted in an urgent need for safe and efficient nutritional solutions. The research linking obesity with gut microbiota dysbiosis has led to a hypothesis that certain bacterial strains could serve as probiotics helping in weight management and metabolic he...

The probiotic definition stipulates “adequate amounts”. Here, we investigated the metabolic output and recovery rate of probiotic strains using a simulated upper gastro-intestinal passage and colonic fermentation. Two different doses, 7 × 109 colony forming units (CFU) and 7 × 1010 CFU, of a probiotic mixture (Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04, Lactobac...

Preterm delivery complications are the primary cause of death among children under the age of five. Preventive strategies include the use of pasteurized donor human milk (DHM), its fortification with human milk fortifiers (protein supplements), and supplementation with probiotics. Our aim was to examine the impact of DHM and fortified DHM (FDHM) on...

Probiotic is little known for its benefits on upper gastrointestinal health. The objective of this systematic review was to examine the efficacy of probiotics in alleviating the frequency and severity of symptoms in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the general adult population. The PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for pros...

This study provides phenotypic and molecular analyses of the antibiotic resistance of Ensifer adhaerens strain YX1 (CICC 11008s), a strain that was identified using a polyphasic taxonomy approach. The antibiotic resistance profile of E. adhaerens YX1 was assessed using the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Inst. (CLSI) method. The strain was suscepti...

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) shape gut microbiota during infancy by acting as fermentable energy source. Using a semi-continuous colon simulator, effect of an HMO, 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL), on composition of the infant microbiota and microbial metabolites was evaluated in comparison to galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) and lactose and control wi...

Xylitol has been widely documented to have dental health benefits, such as reducing the risk for dental caries. Here we report on other health benefits that have been investigated for xylitol. In skin, xylitol has been reported to improve barrier function and suppress the growth of potential skin pathogens. As a non-digestible carbohydrate, xylitol...

Objectives: Human breast milk contains a high quantity of oligosaccharides (HMOs) which are not digested by infants but are selectively utilized by beneficial gut microbes such as Bifidobacterium species. The gut microbiome in breast-fed infants is dominated by Bifidobacterium species, whereas formula-fed infants have a higher representation of Ba...

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) function as prebiotics for beneficial bacteria in the developing gut, often dominated by Bifidobacterium spp. To understand the relationship between bifidobacteria utilizing HMOs and how the metabolites that are produced could affect the host, we analyzed the metabolism of HMO 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) in Bifidoba...