Functionality

The functionality of the bacteria in Megaflora 9

Multi-Species Probiotics

A healthy human intestinal flora contains around 100.000.000.000.000 bacterial cells, divided over more than 400 species. Each species, or maybe even each strain, has its own functional properties. For this reason it does not seem logical to use a probiotic product that contains just one single strain. Megaflora 9 not only contains several probiotic strains, but we also try to make a combination of different species, i.e. not only several Lactobacilli (L.acidophilus, L.casei, L.plantarum), but also Bifidobacteria, Lactococci and Enterococci are added to Megaflora 9.

Selection of Strains

It is not possible to make a product that exactly reflects the healthy intestinal flora. Besides, that would be different for each person. We try to make a selection of strains, depending on the final purpose of the product. For instance a product that is designed to prevent traveler diarrhoea, will contain other strains than a product that is especially developed to use during an antibiotic treatment. In case of a “general” probiotic, we try to make a selection of strains that contain as many probiotic properties as possible.

Probiotic Properties

In literature, several probiotic properties have been defined. These are: ° Survival of the GI-tract; resistance to stomach acids, bile and pancreatic enzymes ° Inhibition of pathogens; production of antimicrobial compounds (acids, bacteriocines, H₂O₂, etc.) and competition for nutrients ° Adherence to intestinal cells ° Regulatory effects on the immune system; induction of cytokine production Besides these probiotic properties it is most important that the strains are able to survive in the product. Other important facts to consider are the influence of the probiotic strains on each other (positive or negative), growth speed and fermentation characteristics. Based on the available information, we make combinations of strains that result in effective probiotic products.

Functionality of Megaflora Bacteria

This following information describes the functional properties of the probiotic strains that are used in Megaflora 9. The information is based on both scientific literature and results from in vitro experiments.

Megaflora 9 Strains

Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium longum, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactococcus lactis