Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus acidophilus (pronunciation: /læktoʊˈbæsɪləs æsɪˈdoʊfɪləs/) is a species of Gram-positive bacteria in the genus Lactobacillus.
Etymology
The name Lactobacillus acidophilus is derived from the Latin lacto meaning "milk", bacillus meaning "small rod", and acidophilus meaning "acid-loving". This refers to the bacterium's ability to thrive in an acidic environment.
Description
Lactobacillus acidophilus is a homofermentative, microaerophilic species, fermenting sugars into lactic acid, and grows readily at rather low pH values (below pH 5.0) and has an optimum growth temperature of around 37 °C (99 °F).
Health Benefits
Lactobacillus acidophilus is commonly used as a probiotic, or "friendly bacteria", which are beneficial to health. Probiotics are often used to prevent diarrhea, gas, and cramping caused by antibiotics. Antibiotics kill beneficial bacteria along with the bacteria causing illness. A decrease in beneficial bacteria may lead to digestive problems.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Wikipedia's article - Lactobacillus acidophilus
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