Microbiological Background

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Genus: Bacillus

Species: B. coagulans

Strain: Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086

Bacillus coagulans was first isolated and described in 1933 and was elaborated in the fifth edition of Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology. It was initially considered to be a spore-forming Lactobacillus. Since Bacillus coagulans exhibits characteristics typical of both genera Lactobacillus and Bacillus, its taxonomic position between the families Lactobacillaceae and Bacillaceae was often debated. However, in the seventh edition of Bergy's, Bacillus coagulans was finally transferred to the genus Bacillus. DNA-based technology was used in distinguishing between the two species of bacteria which are morphologically similar and possess similar physiological and biochemical characteristics.

Bacillus coagulans is a Gram-positive spore-forming rod 0.9u by 3.0u to 5.0u in size, aerobic to microaerophilic.
On activation of spore formation in the acidic environment of the stomach, this organism can germinate and proliferate in the instestine, producing the favored L (+) optical isomer of lactic acid.
Bacillus coagulans provides a biotherapeutic platform for several potentially useful applications.