Probiotics and methods of obtaining same

Abstract

This disclosure describes novel probiotics, and also describes novel methods by which such probiotics can be obtained.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A foodstuff comprising:
 a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier selected from the group consisting of a liquid-based carrier, a gel-based carrier, an oleaginous carrier, and an emulsion; and   a microbial strain  Bifidobacterium adolescentis  BD1.   
     
     
         3 . The foodstuff of  claim 2 , wherein the foodstuff is selected from the group consisting of milk, yogurt, juices, water, cereals, chewing gum, crackers, candies, cookies, vitamin supplements, meats, blended fruits, and blended vegetables. 
     
     
         4 . The foodstuff of  claim 2 , wherein the foodstuff is a dry animal feed or a liquid animal feed. 
     
     
         5 . The foodstuff of  claim 2 , wherein the foodstuff further comprises a prebiotic. 
     
     
         6 . The foodstuff of  claim 2 , wherein the prebiotic is selected from the group consisting of galactooligosaccharide (GOS), fructooligosaccharide (FOS), and inulin. 
     
     
         7 . The foodstuff of  claim 6 , wherein the prebiotic is GOS. 
     
     
         8 . A composition comprising:
 a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier selected from the group consisting of a liquid-based carrier, a gel-based carrier, an oleaginous carrier, and an emulsion; and   a microbial strain  Bifidobacterium adolescentis  BD1.   
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the composition is formulated as a powder, a granule, a tablet, a capsule, a liquid suspension, a paste, or a syrup. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the prebiotic is selected from the group consisting of galactooligosaccharide (GOS), fructooligosaccharide (FOS), and inulin. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the prebiotic is GOS. 
     
     
         12 . A method for establishing or maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal flora in an animal, said method comprising:
 administering to said animal an effective amount of a composition comprising microbial strain  Bifidobacterium adolescentis  BD1.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the animal is a human. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the effective amount is from about 10 2  CFU/day to about 10 12  CFU/day. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the composition is formulated as a powder, a granule, a tablet, a capsule, a liquid suspension, a paste, or a syrup. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein further administering to said animal a prebiotic. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the prebiotic is selected from the group consisting of galactooligosaccharide (GOS), fructooligosaccharide (FOS), and inulin. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the prebiotic is GOS. 
     
     
         19 . A method for reducing the effects of a gastrointestinal disease in an animal, said method comprising:
 administering to said animal an effective amount of a composition comprising microbial strain  Bifidobacterium adolescentis  BD1.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the GI disease is selected from the group consisting of diarrhea, constipation, loose stool, abdominal inflation, ulcerous colitis, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, hypersensitive intestinal syndromes, food toxicity, food allergy, pseudomembranous colitis, hemorrhagic colitis, gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcer, dental caries, and periodontitis. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the animal is a human. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the effective amount is from about 10 2  CFU/day to about 10 12  CFU/day. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the composition is formulated as a powder, a granule, a tablet, a capsule, a liquid suspension, a paste, or a syrup. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein further administering to said animal a prebiotic. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the prebiotic is selected from the group consisting of galactooligosaccharide (GOS), fructooligosaccharide (FOS), and inulin. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the prebiotic is GOS.