Saccharomyces boulardii
Probiotics & Enzymes
Overview
- Saccharomyces boulardii is a non‑pathogenic, non‑spore‑forming yeast strain (often catalogued as CNCM I‑745).
- It functions as a probiotic — a live microorganism that, when administered in adequate amounts, confers a health benefit to the host.
- It is most widely used to modulate the intestinal ecosystem and to support the body’s response to gastrointestinal stressors.
Chemistry
- Saccharomyces boulardii is a eukaryotic yeast, a single‑celled organism with a diploid genome (~12 Mbp) encoding ~6 000 genes.
- The cell wall consists of β‑glucans (β‑1,3/1,6‑glucan), mannoproteins, and chitin, providing structural integrity and immunomodulatory activity.
- It does not have a conventional small‐molecule IUPAC name; however, the key bioactive protein BFT (anti‑toxin factor) has the sequence: M‑K‑L‑…‑L (approx. 150 aa).
- The organism is typically lyophilized, preserving viability at 4 °C for up to 2 years.
- Viability is expressed as colony‑forming units (CFU) per gram, the standard potency metric.
Sources & Quality
- Commercial S. boulardii originates from the original CNCM I‑745 strain isolated from lychee fruit by Henri Boulard (1933).
- The strain is cultivated in controlled, sterile fermenters using defined glucose‑based media, then harvested, washed, and freeze‑dry (lyophilized) to preserve viability.
- Quality‑controlled manufacturers perform batch‑to‑batch CFU verification, absence of bacterial endotoxins (< 0.5 EU/mL), and confirm the absence of antibiotic‑resistance genes.
- Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and ISO‑22000/USP < 1080> standards are recommended for supplement integrity.
- Products are typically sold as capsules, tablets, or sachets; “live‑culture” labeling and a minimum of 5 × 10⁹ CFU per dose are considered quality markers.
Where to Buy Saccharomyces boulardii
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