During the 17th International Scientific Conference on Probiotics, Prebiotics, Gut Microbiota and Health – IPC2024, held in Prague last June, Microbiomepost conducted an exclusive interview with Svetoslav Todorov, from Sao Paulo University in Brazil.
Antimicrobial peptides, including bacteriocins, have been studied since the early 19th century, initially focusing on their role in food production and safety. However, recent decades have seen a surge in interest in their medical applications, particularly for controlling human and animal pathogens in both human and veterinary medicine. Alongside this, the concept of probiotics has evolved significantly. Early research by Tam and Gregorov highlighted the benefits of certain lactic acid bacteria, revealing their potential to enhance food quality and combat diseases.
Despite these promising applications, safety remains a critical concern. While many lactic acid bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and specific strains of Streptococcus, are generally considered safe, certain species within the Enterococcus and Streptococcus genera can pose significant health risks. This underscores the necessity for meticulous safety evaluations at the strain level, not just the species level. The development of new probiotics or starter cultures requires rigorous safety assessments to avoid potential health hazards.
Advancements in research methods, including biochemical, physiological, and molecular techniques like real-time PCR, are crucial for assessing strain safety under various conditions. Evaluating gene expression and resistance factors helps ensure that strains do not pose new health risks. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of scientists to leverage these methods to ensure that probiotics and microbial products are both effective and safe for consumer use.
