Bacillus coagulans
Probiotics & Enzymes
Overview
- Bacillus coagulans is a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium belonging to the Firmicutes phylum.
- Classified as a probiotic, its spores survive stomach acid, germinate in the intestine, and benefit the microbiome and immune system.
- Primarily used in supplements to support gastrointestinal health and systemic immune balance.
Chemistry
- Bacillus coagulans is a living microorganism; no single molecular formula.
- Rod-shaped, Gram-positive spore-former (1.2–1.8 µm × 0.5 µm) with a thick peptidoglycan layer (type A3α) containing teichoic acids.
- Genome: ~3.5 Mbp, encoding ~3,200 proteins, including enzymes for carbohydrate fermentation (e.g., lactate dehydrogenase) and antimicrobial peptide production.
- Spores consist mainly of dipicolinic acid (C₆H₈N₂O₄) complexed with Ca²⁺, conferring heat and acid resistance.
- Vegetative cell surface displays proteins (e.g., S-layer proteins, 45–70 kDa) essential for mucosal adhesion.
- Taxonomy: Bacillus coagulans (De Mey et al., 1995).
Sources & Quality
- Isolated from fermented foods (dairy, fermented vegetables) and soil.
- Commercially cultivated in sterile broth (e.g., tryptic soy broth) under aerobic conditions.
- Harvested as dry spores using spray-drying or lyophilization.
- GMP facilities use fermentation-scale bioreactors (up to 10,000 L) with controlled pH (6.5–7.0) and temperature (30–37 °C).
- Quality criteria: ≥10⁹ CFU/g at expiration, absence of contaminants, confirmed strain identity by 16S rRNA sequencing.
- Certified-organic or non-GMO sources preferred for clinical trials.
- Label-accurate products undergo third-party testing for potency and purity.
Where to Buy Bacillus coagulans
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