Influence of a Delivery System on the Efficacy of a Probiotic Intervention

In the proposed work we will evaluate the efficacy of a probiotic bacterium (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB12) delivered in a yogurt smoothie (organism to be added before or after fermentation) or as a supplement (tablet) by assessing 1) bowel habits (transit time); 2) the ecology of the bacterial community in the GIT; and 3) immune status of healthy human volunteers. In addition to providing information about the relative efficacy of the delivery vehicles on probiotic function it will provide novel information about the influence of the yogurt smoothie alone (control) on all the parameters measured.