New B. Subtilis Probiotic Survives Extreme Heat, pH

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BIO-CAT Microbials (Shakopee, MN) has launched a new Bacillus subtilis probiotic ingredient that it claims is especially well-suited for the extreme pH and heat conditions involved with some food-manufacturing processes. Opti-Biome Bacillus subtilis MB40, the new spore-forming probiotic, is now available for dietary supplements as well as food products, with a self-affirmed determination as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS).

Since Opti-Biome B. subtilis MB40 offers a stable count of colony forming units (CFU) that survive through extreme temperature and pH environments, formulators may be able to use less of the ingredient to achieve the same effect as other probiotics, according to BIO-CAT Microbials.

“I think our customers will see immediate value in formulating with Opti-Biome Bacillus subtilis MB40 as they minimize the need to over-formulate, which they had to in the past because of the limited shelf life of first-generation probiotics,” said Chris Schuler, president of BIO-CAT Microbials.

Additionally, BIO-CAT Microbials research indicates that more than 80% of food dollars spent by U.S. consumers goes to food types limited for probiotic use due to extreme processing conditions. BIO-CAT Microbials believes the resilient nature of its new Opti-Biome MB40 will allow its customers to expand their offerings of products with probiotics.

“Opti-Biome Bacillus subtilis MB40, due to its inherent natural stability, is perfectly suited for inclusion in foods that undergo longer periods of mixing and agitation, making it a value-added ingredient for manufacturers of premixes and powders for sports drinks, nutritional beverages, and so on,” Chris Penet, vice president at BIO-CAT Microbials, tells Nutritional Outlook. “Baking mixes can now have this probiotic included so that the finished food (pancakes, waffles, cakes, [or] breads) can contain probiotics.”

Research is also underway to see if the new probiotic can survive processing of ready-to-drink juices, extruded foods, and other foods that undergo stringent processing techniques that have proven challenging for traditional probiotics, says Penet. Opti-Biome Bacillus subtilis MB40 is the first proprietary strain in BIO-CAT’s Opti-Biome line of probiotic products.

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Michael Crane
Associate Editor
Nutritional Outlook Magazine
michael.crane@ubm.com