Lactobacillus acidophilus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lactobacillus acidophilus |
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| Lactobacillus acidophilus Gram stain | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Lactobacillus
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| Species: |
acidophilus
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Lactobacillus acidophilus is a type of bacteria. Its name comes from Neo-Latin and means "acid-loving milk-bacillus". It is a rod-shaped microbe. It was first found in the year 1900. This bacteria is often found in humans. It lives in the intestines and the mouth. It is also found in fermented foods like yogurt.
This species likes to grow in acidic places. It grows best at a temperature of 37 °C (98.6 °F). This is the same as the normal human body temperature. Some types of L. acidophilus are called probiotics. This means they are "friendly" bacteria that help keep people healthy. They are used to make dairy products. Scientists have studied the DNA of this bacteria to understand how it works.
L. acidophilus can stop bad bacteria from growing. It fights against germs like Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Salmonella. It also helps stop plaque from forming on teeth.
Contents
History of Discovery
Lactobacillus acidophilus was first found in 1900 by a scientist named Ernst Moro. He found it in samples from the digestive system of a child. At first, he named it Bacillus acidophilus. Later, in 1929, scientists changed the name to put it in the Lactobacillus group.
It was sometimes hard to tell different types of bacteria apart. Scientists focused a lot of study on one specific type called Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM. Because we know so much about it, the US Food and Drug Administration says it is safe to use in food. It is approved for drinks, yogurt, and other foods.
Biological Features
Shape and Structure
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Lactobacillus acidophilus is a rod-shaped organism. It is very small. Its size is between 2 and 10 micrometers. It has a cell membrane and a thick cell wall. The cell wall protects the bacteria. It is covered in special proteins. These proteins help the bacteria stick to cells in the gut.
The outer layer of the bacteria is called the S-layer. It helps the bacteria interact with its environment. L. acidophilus cannot move on its own. It does not have legs or tails (flagella) to swim.
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How It Gets Energy
L. acidophilus is an anaerobic microbe. This means it does not need oxygen to live. It gets energy by eating sugar. It turns sugar into lactic acid. This process is called fermentation.
It grows slower in milk than in the human body. This is because milk does not have all the nutrients it needs. A study in the Journal of Dairy Science looked at how to make it grow faster. They found that it needs specific amino acids (parts of proteins) to grow well. Adding these nutrients to milk can help the bacteria grow.
Genetics
Scientists study the genome of bacteria to see how they work. The genome is the complete set of DNA. L. acidophilus copies its DNA to make new cells. It uses enzymes to build new DNA strands.
The genome of L. acidophilus is quite small. It has about 2 million base pairs. Scientists compared different types of this bacteria. They found that the ones used in food have more genes than the ones found in nature. The bacteria has genes that help it digest carbohydrates like sugar and starch. It also has genes that protect it from some antibiotics.
Where It Lives
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L. acidophilus grows naturally in the mouths and intestines of people and animals. It has special ways to survive heat. It uses "chaperone" proteins to protect itself when it gets hot. This is important when making yogurt, as the milk is often warm.
To be a good probiotic, the bacteria must survive in the stomach. The stomach is very acidic. L. acidophilus can handle acid well. It can also handle salt, but too much salt can stop it from growing. It grows very well in milk. This is why fermented milk is a great way to get these good bacteria into the body.
Talking to Each Other
Bacteria can "talk" to each other using chemical signals. This is called quorum sensing. They release small molecules to know how many other bacteria are nearby. This helps them work together. In L. acidophilus, this signaling helps them form groups called biofilms. It also helps them decide when to grow.
Health and Food Uses
Benefits for the Body
Research shows that L. acidophilus is good for health. It acts as a barrier against bad germs. It helps the body digest lactose (milk sugar). It also helps the immune system work better.
To work well, there must be a lot of bacteria present. A study at the Wake Forest School of Medicine looked at mice. The mice that ate L. acidophilus had healthier guts. Another study showed that this bacteria can stop the germ that causes Typhoid fever.
The bacteria produces special proteins that fight harmful microbes. There is also evidence that it can help people with stomach problems. It may help reduce stomach aches and heartburn.
In 2023, Lactobacillus acidophilus was a very popular supplement in the United States. Doctors prescribed it more than 400,000 times.
Making Dairy Products
The dairy industry uses Lactobacillus acidophilus a lot. It is used to make high-quality fermented foods. Eating yogurt with this bacteria can increase the good bacteria in the tummy. It helps lower cholesterol and helps people digest milk better.
The most common type used in food is called NCFM. Another species, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, is the main one used for making yogurt.
Is It Safe?
Probiotics are usually very safe. However, there is a very small risk for some people. If a person has a very weak immune system or is very sick, the bacteria might cause an infection. This is rare. It is mostly a risk for people with serious medical conditions or premature babies.
See also
