Dr. Rose, M.D. (researcher)
Evan Jerkunica (writer)
B Subtilis Probiotic – Why Is It Useful?
B subtilis probiotic has saved countless burn victim’s lives. Since the 1950’s it formed the basis of the topical antibiotic Bacitracin – a treatments for cuts and burns.A.
Newer reserach has shown B subtili probiotic is also effective in the treatment of gastrointestinal and urinary tract disorders.
B Subtilis Is Considered Safe
B. subtilis has received the FDA designation of GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe).
Strong Immunity Benefits
This bacterium has been found to activate the production of specific antibodies, interferons, and cytokines that help white blood cells fight infections and cancers. It has been used since the 1950s as the basis of the topical antibiotic bacitracin for treatments of abrasions and burnsA.
It has also been shown to decrease the duration of respiratory infections in childrenE
Also, the endospore capsule is being added to HPV vaccines to improve their effectivenessH.
UTI, IBS & Diarrhea Benefits
Some scientists advocate for B subtilis’s use in treating gut and urinary infections such as RotavirusB and (shingles) ShigellaC.
Probiotic preparations containing Bacillus species have been effective in preventing certain GI disorders such as childhood diarrheaD,
and controlling irritable bowel syndromeF.
Animal Research for B Subtilis
B. subtilis has been studied extensively in a wide variety of animals from shrimp to chimps for diseases spanning from rashes to cancerG.
Industrial Uses of B Subtilis
B. subtilis grows rapidly and has been used for its industrial production of enzymes such as amylase (a prebiotic) and hyaluronic acid (useful in skin health, joint lubrication and acid reflux).
B Subtilis Is A Hearty Probiotic
Taken orally, B subtilis survives stomach acid, and can reproduce rapidly. It can survive because it can transform into a spore form…this spore form can survive heat, stomach acid, drying and can successfully make the passage to your intestines alive.
Bacillus subtilis is a Gram-positive bacterium commonly found in soil and the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants (cattle, goats, sheep, giraffes, deer, gazelles, antelopes) and humans. Under the microscope, it is shaped like a rod and can protect itself by forming a tough coating called an endospore.
The spore form allows the bacterium to tolerate extremes in its environment such as drought, salt, radiation, solvents, temperature, extreme acidity, and toxins. It is usually thought to require oxygen, although it can survive in low oxygen conditions (such as the gut). Since it grows so well in industrial settings, it is used on a huge scale for enzyme production and fermentation by biotechnology companies.
B Subtilis Benefits Conclusions
In summary, B. subtilis is used primarily for two approaches to human health: the production of enzymes typically thought of as prebiotics (amylase), and beneficial probiotics that support both the local battle against GI diseases and the systemic control or prevention of infectionsI.
Full Reference List
- Johnson BA, Anker H, Meleney FL. Bacitracin: a new antibiotic produced by a member of the B. subtilis group. Science. 1945 Oct 12;102(2650):376-7.
- Lee S, Belitsky BR, Brinker JP, Kerstein KO, Brown DW, Clements JD, Keusch GT, Tzipori S, Sonenshein AL, Herrmann JE. Development of a Bacillus subtilis-based rotavirus vaccine. Clin. Vaccine Immunol.. 2010 Nov 1;17(11):1647-55.
- Carpenter PB, Zuberi AR, Ordal GW. Bacillus subtilis flagellar proteins FliP, FliQ, FliR and FlhB are related to Shigella flexneri virulence factors. Gene. 1993 Dec 31;137(2):243-5.
- Cutting SM. Bacillus probiotics. Food microbiology. 2011 Apr 1;28(2):214-20.
- Lefevre M, Racedo SM, Ripert G, Housez B, Cazaubiel M, Maudet C, Jüsten P, Marteau P, Urdaci MC. Probiotic strain Bacillus subtilis CU1 stimulates immune system of elderly during common infectious disease period: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. Immunity & Ageing. 2015 Dec;12(1):24.
- Selvam R, Maheswari P, Kavitha P, Ravichandran M, Sas B, Ramchand CN. Effect of Bacillus subtilis PB6, a natural probiotic on colon mucosal inflammation and plasma cytokines levels in inflammatory bowel disease. INDIAN JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & BIOPHYSIC. 2009;46(1):79-85.
- Lefevre M, Racedo SM, Denayrolles M, Ripert G, Desfougères T, Lobach AR, Simon R, Pélerin F, Jüsten P, Urdaci MC. Safety assessment of Bacillus subtilis CU1 for use as a probiotic in humans. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. 2017 Feb 1;83:54-65.
- Aps LR, Diniz MO, Porchia BF, Sales NS, Moreno AC, Ferreira LC. Bacillus subtilis spores as adjuvants for DNA vaccines. Vaccine. 2015 May 11;33(20):2328-34.
- Ayala FR, Bauman C, Cogliati S, Leñini C, Bartolini M, Grau R. Microbial flora, probiotics, Bacillus subtilis and the search for a long and healthy human longevity. Microbial Cell. 2017 Apr 3;4(4):133.
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