**5. Beneficial role of** *lactobacillus*

*Lactobacilli* can produce lactic acid in large amounts by a biotechnological process through fermentation. Among **lactobacilli***,* lactic acid-producing bacteria play an important role in the production of fermented dairy products and the enzyme beta-galactosidase. Because these bacterial species are generally recognized as safe so enzyme purification does not require any extensive purification processes and also there is no damage to fermented food products [124].

A large number of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria produce antimicrobial protein structures during their growth (either polypeptides or proteins) called bacteriocins [125]. Now a days Lactic acid bacteria have gained specific consideration among the Gram-positive bacterial strains because of the production of bacteriocins


**Table 4.**

*List of drugs (capsule, tablet or gel) based on lactobacilli (http://www.vidalpro.net).*

[126]. The bacteriocins can be functional in the food industry by employing as natural preservatives. The application of produced bacteriocins having antimicrobial compounds as a natural barrier against food spoilage causing pathogenic microbes has been confirmed to be effective [38]. The following approaches of bacteriocin application in food are usually adopted for the purpose of biopreservation: adding semi purified or pure bacteriocin as additive in food; food is inoculated with the bacteriocin-producing strain; and practice of previously fermented product with a strain having ability to produce bacteriocin as an ingredient in food processing [38]. A new application of bacteriocins is in bioactive packaging which is a procedure that can defend the food from exterior contaminants [126].

Lactobacilli having probiotic effects in humans are completely documented and are dose and strain dependent [127]. Numerous articles, reviews and book chapters have documented the potential lactobacilli to promote overall health: help to mitigate lactose intolerance [128], positively affect the flora of intestinal tract [129], prevent gastrointestinal infections [130, 131], stimulate the immune system [132], decrease in allergies or inflammation responses [133, 134], regulate the motility of gut [135], and promotion of sensation of well-being [136]. Particular health effects such as colon cancer prevention of [137–139] and decreases in blood lipid concentration and heart disease [140] antihypertensive effects have also been reported. **Figure 2** shows the use of probiotics in different food items.

#### **Figure 2.**

*Probiotic foods in which lactobacilli are applied as a probiotic strain.*
