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 method for reducing gut permeability in an animal, said method comprising:
 administering to said animal an effective amount of a composition comprising microbial strain  Bifidobacterium adolescentis  BD1.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the animal is a human. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the effective amount is from about 10 2  CFU/day to about 10 12  CFU/day. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the composition is formulated as a powder, a granule, a tablet, a capsule, a liquid suspension, a paste, or a syrup. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , said method further comprising administering a prebiotic to said animal. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the prebiotic is selected from the group consisting of galactooligosaccharide (GOS), fructooligosaccharide (FOS), inulin, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the prebiotic is GOS. 
     
     
         9 . 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.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the animal is a human. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the effective amount is from about 10 2  CFU/day to about 10 12  CFU/day. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the composition is formulated as a powder, a granule, a tablet, a capsule, a liquid suspension, a paste, or a syrup. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , said method further comprising administering a prebiotic to said animal. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the prebiotic is selected from the group consisting of galactooligosaccharide (GOS), fructooligosaccharide (FOS), inulin, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the prebiotic is GOS. 
     
     
         16 . 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.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , 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. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the animal is a human. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the effective amount is from about 10 2  CFU/day to about 10 12  CFU/day. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the composition is formulated as a powder, a granule, a tablet, a capsule, a liquid suspension, a paste, or a syrup. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein further administering to said animal a prebiotic. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the prebiotic is selected from the group consisting of galactooligosaccharide (GOS), fructooligosaccharide (FOS), inulin, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the prebiotic is GOS.