In vitro assessment of probiotic bacteria: From survival to functionality

Selection by means of in vitro tests of new probiotic bacteria presents a challenge for scientists as well as for dairy companies. Presently, most probiotics are assessed using assays focused on their ability to survive in, and subsequently colonise, the gastrointestinal environment. This approach has led to selection of strains with confirmed in vivo probioticity, but the science underlying these assays still needs to be refined. As a consequence, we see a different approach emerging that uses functional properties and/or genomic evaluation to select appropriate probiotic strains.