Get Your Personalized Supplement StackSupplement Stack Quiz

Brevibacillus Laterosporus

Q: What are the practical uses of Brevibacillus laterosporus?

Currently, Brevibacillus laterosporus is primarily used in agriculture and animal nutrition to improve meat quality and gut health in livestock. There are no established human dosing guidelines.

Q: Is Brevibacillus laterosporus safe for human consumption?

While it appears safe in animals, human safety is not well-studied. Exercise caution, especially if immunocompromised, and await further research before considering it as a supplement.

Q: How is Brevibacillus laterosporus administered?

In animal studies, it is continuously supplemented in feed. Human administration methods and optimal timing have not been established and require further investigation.

Q: What are the expected benefits of Brevibacillus laterosporus?

In animals, it has shown improved meat quality and gut health. However, human benefits are speculative and require clinical trials to confirm efficacy.

Q: Is Brevibacillus laterosporus a well-established human probiotic?

No, it is not a well-established human probiotic. Most evidence comes from animal models, and human clinical trials are lacking to support its use as a probiotic.

Also known as: Brevibacillus laterosporus, Probiotic, Biocontrol agent, Microbial supplement

Overview

Brevibacillus laterosporus is a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium found in various environments, including soil, water, and insect cadavers. It is recognized for its applications in agriculture as a biocontrol agent and in animal feed as a probiotic. This bacterium is characterized by its ability to form spores, which enhance its survival in harsh conditions, and its production of bioactive compounds with antimicrobial and insecticidal properties. Primarily, it is used to manage pests, protect crops, and improve the health and meat quality of livestock and poultry. Research on B. laterosporus is still in its early to moderate stages, with most studies conducted on animals or in agricultural settings. Human clinical trials are limited, and the quality of available evidence is moderate for animal studies but low for human studies. Further research is needed to fully understand its potential benefits and safety in humans.

Benefits

The primary benefits of Brevibacillus laterosporus have been observed in poultry. Dietary supplementation with specific strains, such as S62-9, at concentrations of 6–9 CFU/g of feed, has been shown to improve meat quality, enhance the amino acid profile, and positively alter the volatile compound profile. These improvements have been statistically significant compared to control groups (p < 0.05). Secondary benefits, suggested by in vitro and animal studies, include potential probiotic effects such as gut microbiota modulation and pathogen inhibition. However, the evidence for these effects is less robust. Currently, the demonstrated benefits are specific to livestock and poultry, with insufficient evidence to support human-specific benefits. The clinical significance of these findings for humans remains unknown due to the lack of human studies.

How it works

Brevibacillus laterosporus functions through several biological pathways. It produces antimicrobial peptides and enzymes that directly inhibit pathogens, contributing to its biocontrol and probiotic effects. Additionally, it modulates the gut microbiota, potentially enhancing nutrient absorption and supporting immune function. The bacterium primarily interacts with the gastrointestinal tract, where it can influence systemic immune responses in animals. While the exact molecular targets are not fully elucidated, its mechanism likely involves direct antimicrobial activity and indirect effects mediated by changes in the gut microbiota composition. As a spore-forming bacterium, B. laterosporus is resistant to gastric acid, allowing it to survive passage through the stomach and colonize the gut effectively. However, the bioavailability and specific mechanisms in humans require further investigation.

Side effects

Brevibacillus laterosporus is generally regarded as safe in animal models, but there is limited data available regarding its safety in humans. No common, uncommon, or rare side effects have been reported in the available studies. There are no known drug interactions associated with B. laterosporus. However, caution is advised when considering its use in immunocompromised individuals due to the theoretical risk of infection, although this has not been observed in studies. Due to insufficient data, the safety of B. laterosporus in pregnant, lactating, or pediatric populations has not been established. Further research, particularly human clinical trials, is needed to comprehensively assess its safety profile and identify any potential adverse effects or contraindications. Until more data is available, caution should be exercised when considering its use as a supplement, especially in vulnerable populations.

Dosage

Currently, there are no established dosage guidelines for Brevibacillus laterosporus in humans. Animal studies, particularly in poultry, have shown that a dosage of 6–9 CFU/g of feed is effective in improving meat quality. However, this dosage cannot be directly translated to humans due to differences in physiology and metabolism. The maximum safe dose for humans has not been determined. In animal studies, continuous dietary supplementation is common, but the optimal timing for human consumption is unknown. The spore form of B. laterosporus is preferred due to its stability and resistance to gastric acid, which enhances its survival through the gastrointestinal tract. No specific cofactors are required for its activity. Given the lack of human data, it is essential to exercise caution and await further research before establishing dosage recommendations for human use.

FAQs

What are the practical uses of Brevibacillus laterosporus?

Currently, Brevibacillus laterosporus is primarily used in agriculture and animal nutrition to improve meat quality and gut health in livestock. There are no established human dosing guidelines.

Is Brevibacillus laterosporus safe for human consumption?

While it appears safe in animals, human safety is not well-studied. Exercise caution, especially if immunocompromised, and await further research before considering it as a supplement.

How is Brevibacillus laterosporus administered?

In animal studies, it is continuously supplemented in feed. Human administration methods and optimal timing have not been established and require further investigation.

What are the expected benefits of Brevibacillus laterosporus?

In animals, it has shown improved meat quality and gut health. However, human benefits are speculative and require clinical trials to confirm efficacy.

Is Brevibacillus laterosporus a well-established human probiotic?

No, it is not a well-established human probiotic. Most evidence comes from animal models, and human clinical trials are lacking to support its use as a probiotic.

Research Sources

https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1096/fj.202302408R – This animal study (RCT in poultry) with 80 broilers per group found that *B. laterosporus* S62-9 at 6–9 CFU/g feed improved meat quality, amino acid profile, and volatile compounds (p < 0.05). The study is limited by its animal model, making it not directly applicable to humans, but it had an adequate sample size, proper controls, and statistical significance.
https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/12/2/288 – This in vitro and animal model study demonstrated probiotic and antimicrobial properties of *B. laterosporus*. While the sample size and duration were not specified, the study supports potential benefits but lacks clinical translation to humans, indicating a need for further research.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00218839.2023.2244710 – This study focused on the impact of *B. laterosporus* on the gut microbiome and overall health of broiler chickens. The results indicated that *B. laterosporus* supplementation could positively modulate the gut microbiota, leading to improved growth performance and enhanced immune responses in the chickens.
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jb.06659-11 – This research provided genomic insights into *B. laterosporus* strain GI-9, supporting its potential for bioactive compound production. While it lacks clinical or functional data, it is a foundational basic science study for future research into the strain's capabilities.