Bifidobacterium is a genus of probiotic bacteria that is naturally present in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals (1) (2).

What it is used for and where

Probiotic bacteria help maintain the balance of the intestinal flora, promoting healthy digestion and strengthening the immune system. They are also used in various food products like yogurts and dietary supplements. In the field of cosmetics, Bifidobacterium is valued for its protective and regenerative properties on the skin. It helps to improve the skin barrier and protect the skin from pathogens and environmental stress factors, while promoting healthier and more resilient skin.

Cosmetics - INCI Functions

• Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

Industrial Production Process

Strain selection. Specific strains of Bifidobacterium known for their probiotic properties and ability to thrive in human intestinal environments are selected.

Culture medium preparation. A nutrient-rich culture medium that supports the growth and proliferation of Bifidobacterium is prepared. This often includes complex carbohydrates that Bifidobacterium can efficiently metabolize.

Fermentation. Bifidobacterium are inoculated into sterile fermenters where they grow and multiply under controlled conditions of temperature, pH, and anaerobiosis to optimize biomass production.

Harvesting and stabilization. Bifidobacterium cells are harvested at the end of fermentation. Cells can be stabilized through freeze-drying or microencapsulation to enhance their survival during storage and ingestion.

Quality control. Each batch of Bifidobacterium undergoes rigorous checks to verify viability, purity, and absence of pathogens.

Packaging. The probiotics are packaged into capsules, tablets, or as powders that ensure the protection of live cells until consumption.

Storage. Finished products are stored under conditions that preserve stability, such as refrigeration, to maintain efficacy until the expiration date.

Main uses and benefits of Bifidobacterium

Skin Barrier Protection. It helps strengthen the skin barrier, protecting the skin from pathogens and environmental stress, and improving its ability to retain moisture (3).

Anti-inflammatory Effects. Probiotics like Bifidobacterium can reduce skin inflammation, helping to treat conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea (4).

Microbial Balance. They help maintain or restore the natural microbial balance of the skin, which is vital for keeping the skin healthy and preventing infections.

Aging Prevention. Some studies suggest that Bifidobacterium can help protect skin cells from oxidative damage, contributing to delaying signs of aging.

Hydration. It enhances skin hydration by increasing the production of ceramides, which are crucial lipids for maintaining skin moisture and protection.

Versatile Applications. It can be incorporated into a variety of skincare products, including serums, creams, lotions, and facial masks, to leverage its benefits for skin health.

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Staudacher HM, Lomer MCE, Farquharson FM, Louis P, Fava F, Franciosi E, Scholz M, Tuohy KM, Lindsay JO, Irving PM, Whelan K. A Diet Low in FODMAPs Reduces Symptoms in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome and A Probiotic Restores Bifidobacterium Species: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Gastroenterology. 2017 Oct;153(4):936-947. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2017.06.010. Epub 2017 Jun 15. PMID: 28625832.

(2) Yan, S., Yang, B., Ross, R. P., Stanton, C., Zhang, H., Zhao, J., & Chen, W. (2020). Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum YS108R fermented milk alleviates DSS induced colitis via anti-inflammation, mucosal barrier maintenance and gut microbiota modulation. Journal of Functional Foods, 73, 104153.

Abstract. The health-associated benefits of bifidobacteria has generated interest in the production of bifidobacteria-fermented milk. In this study, three fermented milks were generated using Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum YS108R which is a ropy-exopolysaccharide producer, the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB12, and a starter culture blend composed of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. YS108R proved as effective as the starter culture blend for reducing pH during milk fermentation. YS108R fermented milk proved to decrease disease active index by 29% and myeloperoxidase activity by 40% compared with model group. It also significantly decreased the expression of IL-6 and IL-17A and maintained the tight junction proteins, while increasing the expression of mucin2. Furthermore, YS108R fermented milk modulated the gut microbiota, especially preventing the increase of Enterobacteriaceae. Overall, YS108R fermented milk was shown to alleviate DSS-induced colitis through its anti-inflammatory properties, by protecting mucosal barrier integrity, and maintaining gut microbiota homeostasis.

(3) Fang Z, Pan T, Li L, Wang H, Zhu J, Zhang H, Zhao J, Chen W, Lu W. Bifidobacterium longum mediated tryptophan metabolism to improve atopic dermatitis via the gut-skin axis. Gut Microbes. 2022 Jan-Dec;14(1):2044723. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2044723. 

Abstract. Gut microbial disturbance affects allergic diseases including asthma, atopic dermatitis (AD) via the aberrant immune response. Some Bifidobacterial species and strains have been reported to improve AD via modulating immune-microbe interactions in patients. However, the effective metabolites and mechanism of alleviating AD in bifidobacteria remain to be elucidated. This study aimed to explore the microbial metabolite and mechanism of Bifidobacterium longum to improve AD. Based on shotgun metagenomic sequencing and UHPLC Q-Exactive-MS targeted metabolic experiments in vitro and in vivo, we focused on tryptophan metabolism and indole derivatives, which are endogenous ligands for aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Indole-3-carbaldehyde (I3C), a tryptophan metabolite of B. longum CCFM1029 activated AHR-mediated immune signaling pathway to improve AD symptoms in animal and clinical experiments. B. longum CCFM1029 upregulated tryptophan metabolism and increased I3C to suppress aberrant T helper 2 type immune responses, but these benefits were eliminated by AHR antagonist CH223191. Furthermore, B. longum CCFM1029 reshaped gut microbial composition in AD patients, increased fecal and serum I3C, and maintained the abundance of Lachnospiraceae related to tryptophan metabolism of gut microbiota. The results suggested that based on the interactions of the gut-skin axis, B. longum CCFM1029 upregulated tryptophan metabolism and produced I3C to activate AHR-mediated immune response, alleviating AD symptoms. Indole derivates, microbial metabolites of tryptophan, may be the potential metabolites of bifidobacteria to alleviate AD via the AHR signaling pathway.

(4) Chen X, Chen Y, Stanton C, Ross RP, Zhao J, Chen W, Yang B. Dose-Response Efficacy and Mechanisms of Orally Administered Bifidobacterium breve CCFM683 on IMQ-Induced Psoriasis in Mice. Nutrients. 2023 Apr 18;15(8):1952. doi: 10.3390/nu15081952. PMID: 37111171; 

Abstract. This study aimed to investigate the dose-response effect of Bifidobacterium breve CCFM683 on relieving psoriasis and its underlying patterns. Specifically, the expression of keratin 16, keratin 17, and involucrin were substantially decreased by administration of 109 CFU and 1010 CFU per day. Moreover, interleukin (IL)-17 and TNF-α levels were substantially decreased by 109 and 1010 CFU/day. Furthermore, the gut microbiota in mice treated with 109 or 1010 CFU/day was rebalanced by improving the diversity, regulating microbe interactions, increasing Lachnoclostridium, and decreasing Oscillibacter. Moreover, the concentrations of colonic bile acids were positively correlated with the effectiveness of the strain in relieving psoriasis. The gavage dose should be more than 108.42 CFU/day to improve psoriasis according to the dose-effect curve. In conclusion, CCFM683 supplementation alleviated psoriasis in a dose-dependent manner by recovering microbiota, promoting bile acid production, regulating the FXR/NF-κB pathway, diminishing proinflammatory cytokines, regulating keratinocytes, and maintaining the epidermal barrier function. These results may help guide probiotic product development and clinical trials in psoriasis.