Invented by Tomohiro Tanaka, Noriyuki Iwabuchi, Yohei Sato, Kanetada Shimizu, Toshitaka Odamaki, Morinaga Milk Industry Co Ltd

Lactic acid bacterium, also known as LAB, is a type of bacteria that is commonly found in fermented foods and drinks. LAB is known for its ability to produce lactic acid, which gives these foods and drinks their characteristic tangy flavor. In recent years, LAB has gained attention for its potential health benefits, leading to an increase in demand for products that contain this beneficial bacteria. The market for LAB is diverse, with products ranging from drugs to food and drinks, and even animal feed. LAB has been shown to have a range of health benefits, including improving gut health, boosting the immune system, and reducing inflammation. As a result, LAB is increasingly being used in the development of new drugs and supplements. One of the most popular uses of LAB is in the production of probiotics. Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health, especially your digestive system. LAB is a key ingredient in many probiotic supplements and foods, such as yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut. The global probiotics market is expected to reach $77.09 billion by 2025, with LAB playing a significant role in this growth. LAB is also used in the production of fermented foods and drinks. Fermentation is a process that involves the breakdown of carbohydrates by bacteria and yeast. LAB is responsible for the fermentation of many foods, including cheese, sourdough bread, and pickles. Fermented foods have been shown to have numerous health benefits, including improved digestion and a stronger immune system. In addition to its use in food and supplements, LAB is also used in animal feed. LAB has been shown to improve the health and growth of livestock, making it a popular ingredient in animal feed. The global animal feed market is expected to reach $617.61 billion by 2025, with LAB playing a significant role in this growth. Overall, the market for LAB is growing rapidly, driven by increasing demand for products that promote health and wellness. As more research is conducted on the health benefits of LAB, it is likely that we will see even more products containing this beneficial bacteria in the future. Whether you are looking for a probiotic supplement, a fermented food or drink, or animal feed, LAB is a versatile ingredient that can provide numerous health benefits.

The Morinaga Milk Industry Co Ltd invention works as follows

A method of prophylaxis and treatment of a disease involves administering an effective amount of an agent that has cells of Lactobacillus Paracasei MCC1849 (NITEBP-01633) to the subject who is in need of such treatment or prophylaxis. It could be an inflammatory condition, ulcer, food allergy, bronchial asthma or opportunistic disease.

Background for Lactic Acid Bacterium, Drug, Food or Drink, and Feed which Contain the Lactic Acid bacterium.

Object to be Achieved Through the Invention

The present invention aims to provide a lactic acids bacterium that can be used for prophylaxis or defense against different infections. This i.e., a lactic acids bacterium with high IL-12 production-promoting and immunostimulation actions, which are preferably not easily diminished in humans, etc.

Means to Achieve the Object

In order achieve the aforementioned objects, the inventors searched diligently for such target lactic acids bacteria and discovered a novel strain Lactobacillus Paracasei with a high IL-12 production-promoting effect. They thus achieved the invention.

That’s because the present invention provides the Lactobacillus Paracasei MCC1849 strain (NITE BP-01633).

The invention also includes a drug that contains the strain.

In a preferred embodiment, the drug is intended for immunostimulation.

In a preferred embodiment, the drug is for anti-virus.

In a preferred embodiment, the drug is for the anti-influenza virus in the aforementioned drug.

The invention also provides food and drinks that contain the strain.

The present invention also provides a feed that contains the strain.

The invention also contains an IL-12 production-promoting drug that contains the strain.

In a preferred embodiment, the IL-12 production-promoting agents is in the form a food or drink.

Hereafter, we will explain in detail the present invention.

The present invention is related to the Lactobacillus Paracasei MCC1849 strain (NITE BP-01633), which is a novel strain a lactic acid bacteriaium belonging to Lactobacillus Paracasei. This strain will be referred to as either the?lactic acid bacteria of the invention? or the??strain of this invention? or simply the MCC1849 strain.

The present invention uses human feces to isolate the lactic acid bacteriaium. This example will describe the bacteriological characteristics and details of this strain. This strain was filed on Jun. June 6, 2013, at the NITE Patent Microorganisms Depository, National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (#122), Kazusakamatari. Kisarazushi. Chiba, 292-0818, Japan). The accession number of NITE BP-01633 was given to the deposit.

DEPOSIT OF MICROORGANISM

The lactic acid bacteria of the invention is not limited by the deposited strain. It may also be substantially equivalent to that strain. A strain belonging to Lactobacillus Paracasei is a strain that exhibits IL-12 production-promoting activity at a level comparable with that exhibited in the deposited strain. It should also preferably show a reduction of the IL-12-promoting effect at a low level comparable that exhibited in the deposited strain after treatment with a cell-wall-digesting enzyme (RNase). The substantially equivalent strain also shows homology in the nucleotide sequences of the 16SRNA genes of the deposited strain. Preferably, it has the same bacteriological characteristics and biochemical properties as the deposited strain. The lactic acid bacteria of the invention can also be a strain that was bred from the deposited plant or a strain that is substantially identical to it by mutation treatment, gene replication, selection of a naturally mutant strain, or any other means, provided the effect of this invention is not diminished.

The MCC1849 strain is more IL-12 (interleukin-12-producing) than other known lactic acids bacteria. The IL-12-producing activity of lactic acids bacteria can be markedly decreased by treatment with a cell-wall-digesting enzyme like N-acetylmuramidase or RNase. However, the MCC1849 strain has a lower IL-12 production-promoting ability even after treatment with a cell-wall-digesting protein or RNase. You can measure the IL-12 production-promoting activities using the method described in “Example”.

Click here to view the patent on Google Patents.