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Why is this mysterious bacteria so ubiquitous in food around the world?
Among the numerous bacteria, Limosilactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) is a particularly noteworthy lactic acid bacterium that has attracted attention due to its widespread presence in food and animals around the world. This bacterium is not only widely present in the intestines of humans and other animals, but has also been detected in many foods, especially meat and dairy products. Its potential health benefits make it a popular subject of research.
This bacterium may provide health benefits to the host, but further research is needed to determine how.
Discovery process
The discovery of L. reuteri dates back to the early 20th century. It was then incorrectly classified as a subspecies of Lactobacillus fermentum until the 1960s, when microbiologist Gerhard Reuter studied it further and reclassified it as biotype II of L. fermentum. In 1980, scientists confirmed that the bacterium was a separate species and proposed the official name L. reuteri. In April 2020, the bacteria was reclassified into the genus Limosilactobacillus.
Universality
The ubiquity of L. reuteri is reflected in its presence in a variety of natural environments, including the intestines and feces of healthy humans. The study showed that the bacterium is an important component of the intestinal lactic acid bacteria in the host animals tested, and each host seemed to have a specific strain of L. reuteri. In addition, L. reuteri is an important member of fermented foods, and is particularly important for the fermentation of type II sourdough, which can improve the quality of bread.
Health Effects
Antimicrobial effect
L. reuteri is known to produce a variety of antimicrobial substances, including reuterin and reutericin 6. Studies have found that L. reuteri can produce reuterin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic that can inhibit the growth of certain harmful bacteria, yeasts, and protozoa. This property allows it to remove "bad" bacteria from the intestines in a relatively safe manner with minimal impact on "good" bacteria.
Clinical Effects
L. reuteri is not commonly found naturally in the gut, so in some people it may be important to boost levels through supplementation. Studies have shown that oral ingestion of L. reuteri can lead to significant colonization of the intestines of healthy individuals. However, if supplementation is stopped, bacterial counts will decrease after a few months. There is also evidence that oral administration of L. reuteri by mothers can increase the amount of L. reuteri in their breast milk and improve the health of their infants.
Gut Health
Studies have shown that L. reuteri can significantly reduce the duration of diarrhea symptoms in children. L. reuteri also helps prevent intestinal infections, and its effect has been found to be superior to other probiotics. In addition, L. reuteri also showed good potential in combating necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants. Related randomized controlled studies have also shown that L. reuteri can reduce the incidence of sepsis in premature infants and shorten the length of hospital stay.
Oral Health and General Health
Additionally, L. reuteri has been found to be beneficial for oral health, being effective against the cavity-causing Streptococcus mutans. Studies have shown that L. reuteri can reduce symptoms associated with periodontitis, thereby promoting dental health. In addition, this bacteria may improve the overall health of adults and children by protecting the body from common infections.
The benefits of L. reuteri extend beyond physical health and may even affect behavior, the study suggests.
Animal Model Study Results
In animal model studies, L. reuteri has demonstrated protection against a variety of pathogens and improved weight gain in commercial poultry and piglets. In addition, animal experiments have also shown that L. reuteri can significantly improve intestinal health in the treatment of chemical and trauma-induced injuries, and is expected to provide treatments for similar human diseases.
Overall, Limosilactobacillus reuteri is not only an important discovery in microbiology, but also demonstrates its potential for health in practical applications. However, is there any unknown health secret hidden behind the widespread existence of this mysterious bacteria?
