Bacillus subtilis is a bacillus bacterium that belongs to the genus Bacillus. Although Bacillus species can be found in a variety of environments, the majority of literature believes them to be soil-dwelling bacteria.
Surprisingly, the prevalence of bacillus species in the soil may be due to spores from the bacteria entering the environment via feces. Spores can be produced by members of the bacillus genus, as well as many other bacterial species.
Spores are dormant creatures with little metabolic activity. These cells are built to survive harsh conditions until ideal growth conditions are discovered. The human small intestine contains billions of bacillus species cells, many of which are B. subtilis variants.
Bacillus subtilis in Probiotics
Bacillus species are particularly promising prospects for probiotics. Probiotics are ingestible microorganisms that restore intestinal balance, impact immune function, produce compounds with systemic effects, and provide some benefit to the host. Because many bacteria in the human gut are harmful, the stomach contains hydrochloric acid (HCl), which protects the body from pathogens by eliminating "bad" bacteria.
As they survive stomach HCl transit, B. subtilis spores are particularly attractive as a component of probiotic compositions. In the small intestine, B. subtilis spores recognize a favorable environment for proliferation and develop into active bacterial cells. In this setting, these bacterial populations thrive and benefit the host.
Antibiotic Properties of Bacillus subtilis
Many antibiotics used in medicine are synthesized from natural chemicals produced by bacteria. Antibiotics are produced by bacteria to kill or hinder the growth of rivals in their environment. Probiotic Bacillus subtilis strain 2335 generates aminocoumarin A, an antibiotic that is efficient against Heliobacter pylori. B. subtilis var. natto, a variety of B. subtilis produced during soybean fermentation, has been demonstrated to limit the pathogenic fungus Candida's growth. It's worth noting that B. subtilis may provide some protection from diseases. Antibiotic resistance is low to non-existent in nearly all of the subtypes investigated. As a result, probiotic supplementation with B. subtilis is anticipated to be more effective before and after antibiotic treatment rather than concurrently.
Beneficial Impacts of Bacillus subtilis on Gut Health
In recent years, the relevance of the digestive tract in general health and welfare has become a hot topic of research. The positive effects of B. subtilis on gut health have been documented in a few research.
Gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) lines the digestive tract and serves as a pathogen barrier for the immune system. Researchers discovered in a rabbit study by Rhee et al. (2004) that B. subtilis is not only helpful to GALT function but also critical for GALT development. Williams (2007) discovered that B. subtilis protects intestinal epithelial cells from oxidative damage in another investigation. To interact with one another, bacteria use a mechanism known as quorum sensing.
Typically, quorum sensing entails one bacterial cell releasing tiny particles that are detected by another. To connect with surrounding cells, B. subtilis produces a chemical termed competence/sporulation stimulating factor (CSF). Human heat-shock-inducible protein 27 (Hsp27) activity has been demonstrated to be induced by CSF. Hsp27 is critical for preventing oxidative damage in human intestinal cells.
B. subtilis as a probiotic helps in enhancing immunological function, protecting the body from viruses, and improving gut health, according to research. Bottom line: because B. subtilis is a spore-forming bacteria, it can survive the harsh environment of the stomach and colonize the small intestine, where it helps the host!
