Valio Oy

Gut Guide Oy

Valio Meijerien Keskusosuusliike

Valio Meijerien Keskusosuusliike, Valio Ltd.

Valio Ltd.

Annika Mayra-Makinen

Tarja Suomalainen

Eveliina Munukka

Mervi Sibakov

Soile Tynkkynen

Outi Vaarala

The invention is based on a correlation observed between serotonin level and intestinal flora. The invention relates to a relative proportion of bifidobacteria in the intestine and in particular to a product increasing the ratio of bifidobacteria to Clostridia, to be used for raising the serotonin level. The invention also relates to a method for estimating a health risk associated with serotonin depletion by determining a relative proportion between bifidobacteria or Clostridia in the intestine or their ratio to one another. The invention further relates to a method for selecting a form of therapy for raising the serotonin level by determining a relative proportion between bifidobacteria or Clostridia in the intestine or their ratio to one another.

Raising and diagnosing of serotonin level

The invention is based on a correlation observed between visceral fat and gut flora. The invention relates to a product increasing the relative proportion ofin the intestines and to be used for preventing formation of visceral fat or for reducing the amount thereof in the body. In particular, the product increases the ratio ofto. The invention also relates to determining visceral fat in the body by determining the relative proportion oforor their ratio to each other in the intestines. The invention further relates to a method for estimating, in the same manner, the health risk associated with obesity.

Prevention and diagnosis of visceral fat

The invention relates to inhibition of clostridia with lactic acid bacteria. In particular, the invention relates to the use of Lactobacillus rhamnosus in the food industry to inhibit the growth and activity of clostridia. Preferred embodiments of the invention include the use of Lactobacillus rhamnosus in prevention of butyric acid fermentation and in cheese production.

Inhibition of clostridia with lactic acid bacteria

The invention relates to new Streptococcus thermophilus strains containing genes giving the bioluminescence property. The strains can be applied widely for analytical purposes, e.g. in the determination of bacteriophages and antibiotics, especially from liquid samples. The invention also relates to a test set containing a bioluminescent Streptococcus thermophilus strain, and to processes for the determination of bacteriophages or antibiotics from a liquid sample.

Streptococcus thermophilus strains and their use

The invention relates to a novel microorganism strain Lactobacillus casei ssp. rhamnosus LC-705, DSM 7061, having a yeast and mold controlling effect, to bacterial preparations comprising this strain, alone or in combination with a bacterium of the genus Propionibacterium or another strain of the bacterium Lactobacillus casei and/or with conventional agents used for yeast and mold control. The invention also relates to the use of said strain and said bacterial preparations for yeast and mold control and to a method for controlling the growth of yeasts and molds using a bacterial preparation comprising said strain.

Lactobacillus casei ssp. rhamosus, bacterial preparations comprising

A test set comprising a purified culture of Streptococcus thermophilus T101 concentrate and a water-based protective agent in dilution ratio of about 4 to 5.times.10.sup.-2. The test set may also advantageously comprise an indicator. The test method includes the steps of incubating the test set and evaluating the color. The present invention also comprises a purified culture of Streptococcus thermophilus T101 strain.

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Helsinki, Finland

Annika Mayra-Makinen