Food Science of Animal Resources (Food Sci. Anim. Resour.) is an international, peer-reviewed bimonthly journal publishing original research and reviews on basic and applied aspects of the use of animal resources including the meat, egg, dairy, and edible insect/worm products. Food Sci. Anim. Resour. is published and distributed by the Korean Society for Food Science of Animal Resources.

A combined usage of animal and plant proteins-mixture could aid to solve environmental and social problems arising from the use of animal protein alone, while also improving the taste and texture of plant protein. Protein mixtures could be a better protein source due to the high availability of amino acids in the body compared with single proteins. Consuming proteins with probiotics can provide more beneficial health effects by helping to hydrolyze protein and absorb amino acids in the body. In this study, coadministration of an animal and plant protein mixture with a high concentration of probiotics was investigated to increase protein digestibility and amino acids absorbability in a mice model. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IDCC 3501, which has the maximum ability to hydrolyze a protein mixture, composed of soybean protein and milk protein, was selected, and the changes in mice (C57BL/6J, male, six weeks) were investigated after the coadministration of protein mixture and 5 × 10⁸ or 5 × 10⁹ CFU/mL of L. plantarum for eight weeks. Normal diet, high-protein diet (HPD), and HPD supplementing L. plantarum were separately administered to mice. Food and water consumption of the mice did not differ depending on diet type. Measurements of the serum concentrations of amino acids showed that the absorption of aspartate, glutamate, isoleucine, leucine, valine, and lysine increased when high concentrations of protein and probiotics were administered. Thus, high L. plantarum concentrations could be a protein diet supplementation to improve health by promoting the absorption of amino acids.

Functional bowel disorders (FBDs) are chronic gastrointestinal conditions characterized by recurrent symptoms associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis. Although accumulating evidence suggests that probiotics can improve symptoms in patients with FBD, the underlying mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 38 adults meeting the Rome IV diagnostic criteria of functional constipation (FC) and functional diarrhea (FD) received either a multi-strain probiotic complex or placebo for 8 weeks. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS), bowel habits questionnaire, and IBS Quality of Life (IBS-QoL) instrument. Fecal samples were collected at baseline and at week 8 for gut microbiota profiling via 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolomic analysis using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Probiotic supplementation significantly reduced the severity of abdominal bloating and its interference with quality of life, and improved the body image domain of the IBS-QoL. Beta diversity analysis showed significant temporal shifts in the probiotic group, while 16S rRNA sequencing revealed an increased relative abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Blautia stercoris. Fecal metabolomic analysis further indicated elevated levels of metabolites implicated in the gut–brain axis. Multi-strain probiotic supplementation alleviated gastrointestinal symptoms and improved aspects of psychosocial well-being in adults with FBDs, potentially through modulation of the human gut microbiome.

The gut microbiota composition in animals and humans has recently been found to be influenced by exercise. Although Limosilactobacillus reuteri strains have notable probiotic properties that promote human health, understanding of its effects in combination with exercise and physical activity is limited. Therefore, this study examined the effects of L. reuteri ID-D01, a human-derived probiotic, on exercise performance and fatigue in Sprague-Dawley rats. Organ weight, maximal running distance, serum biochemistry, muscle performance, microbial community composition, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels were assessed. Results indicated that ID-D01 supplementation significantly improved endurance performance. Rats in the probiotic group demonstrated a significant increase in maximal running distance compared with that in the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, levels of fatigue markers, such as lactate and creatine phosphokinase, were significantly reduced in the ID-D01-administered groups, suggesting its potential to alleviate exercise-induced fatigue. Microbiome analysis revealed a distinct shift in gut microbiota composition in response to ID-D01 administration. The group that received ID-D01 probiotics exhibited a significant increase in the abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria, particularly Akkermansia spp., compared with that in the control groups. Furthermore, they showed elevated production of SCFAs, such as acetate and butyrate. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that ID-D01 can enhance exercise performance and reduce fatigue. Herein, we highlighted that human-derived probiotics could improve physical performance, as observed by changes in gut microbiota composition and SCFA production.

Geum Na Pyeon, Hyunbin Seong, Jin Seok Moon, and Nam Soo Han. J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 2025;35:1-13. https://doi.org/10.4014/jmb.2508.08024

B. coagulans IDCC 1201, a high GABA-producing probiotic, improved sleep in pentobarbital and EEG tests: shorter latency, longer duration, sustained NREM over 3 weeks. Flumazenil blocked effects, showing GABAergic action. No tolerance or quality loss.