What are Spore-forming Probiotics?
When it comes to selecting a probiotic that provides the benefits people want in foods and beverages to fit their busy lifestyles, the choices can be overwhelming. Probiotic strains vary. For example, some require refrigeration, while some do not. What’s more, the benefits of a particular strain are dependent on clear research unique to that strain.
To tackle one of the most common myths, the fact is not all probiotics need to be refrigerated, but only some probiotics can be hardy enough to be fortified into a wide range of probiotic foods and beverages, while still delivering the digestive and immune health benefits people want most.
The difference here lies in the type of probiotic strain.
If You Can’t Stand the Heat…
First, it’s important to understand that probiotic bacteria need to be alive when they reach your gut. So the best bet may be to find a hardy probiotic that can survive all the things–like manufacturing and storing the probiotic product, AND the transit to your gut.
Different strains of probiotics have different sensitivity levels. Not all strains can be made shelf-stable or survive things like boiling, baking, or freezing (all of which can be integral to the manufacturing or preparation of the product).
Let’s look at the main types of probiotic strains and their differences. These can generally be classified as vegetative and spore-forming probiotics.
Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria are Common Vegetative Bacteria
Strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are supplied in their living, vegetative states. That is, they are living organisms that require very specific environments (like refrigeration) to remain viable. Often found in fermented dairy products, these strains typically cannot be used in products that are shelf-stable, frozen, or heated.
Also, their cells are not particularly resistant to high heat and tend to be sensitive to the extremes of acid and alkaline conditions, as found in the stomach and small bowel. For example, studies have shown that most are quickly killed off in the harsh, acidic environment of the stomach and upper digestive tract. And because these bacteria are fragile, they require refrigeration to remain viable.
Get More with the Spore
Bacillus (like BC30TM), are hardy, spore-forming bacteria that act as vegetative bacteria when conditions are optimal for their growth but can also form dormant spores when conditions are detrimental to their viability. This spore can be equated to a plant seed—it is dormant and won’t grow until the right temperature, moisture and food source are present.
BC30, a Natural, Spore-forming Probiotic Ingredient
BC30 (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086) is a safe and efficacious spore-forming probiotic ingredient with research-backed health benefits. BC30 has a protective shell so it can survive extreme preparation temperatures like hot and cold. This makes it easier for manufacturers to create food and beverage products (from coffee and tea to muffins and mac and cheese) with BC30, so you can have unlimited ways to get your probiotic throughout your day.
BC30 can also survive through your stomach acid until it arrives in your gut, where it teams up with your own bacteria, providing you with the digestive health, immune health and protein utilization benefits you want most.
– Digest More –
