摘要
Probiotics (Greek: for life) are commonly defined as monoor mixed cultures of live microbes. When applied to animals or humans, they exert a beneficial effect on health of the host. These beneficial effects include disease treatment and prevention as well as improvement of nutrients’ digestion and absorption. Probiotic microorganisms are generally, albeit not exclusively, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) including Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. casei, L. plantarum, and L. rhamnosus. However, use of other bacterial species such as Bacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. as probiotic strains has also been described in several commercial products. This article intends to present an up-to-date version regarding Iraqi probiotics currently used and health benefit obtained from their consumption. However, the employing of microbes to promote a good health is very common, while the current review paper provides a comprehensive view of some common probiotics in Iraq as all strains are very important to be familiar with them before any applying process. Ideally, microbial probiotics should have a beneficial effect and not cause any harm to the host. Therefore, all strains must have been studied comprehensively prior to use in humans or animals and thus are given GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) status.
Probiotics (Greek: for life) are commonly defined as monoor mixed cultures of live microbes. When applied to animals or humans, they exert a beneficial effect on health of the host. These beneficial effects include disease treatment and prevention as well as improvement of nutrients’ digestion and absorption. Probiotic microorganisms are generally, albeit not exclusively, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) including Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. casei, L. plantarum, and L. rhamnosus. However, use of other bacterial species such as Bacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. as probiotic strains has also been described in several commercial products. This article intends to present an up-to-date version regarding Iraqi probiotics currently used and health benefit obtained from their consumption. However, the employing of microbes to promote a good health is very common, while the current review paper provides a comprehensive view of some common probiotics in Iraq as all strains are very important to be familiar with them before any applying process. Ideally, microbial probiotics should have a beneficial effect and not cause any harm to the host. Therefore, all strains must have been studied comprehensively prior to use in humans or animals and thus are given GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) status.
