Page 42 - MI-2-3

Microbes & Immunity Probiotics from ancient wisdom to modern days

Figure 3. Timeline idealization of Bifidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus plantarum, protecting the intestinal wall from harmful bacteria (shown pink
with flagella). By author uses Corel Graphics Suite 2017.

Figure 4. Schematic cross-section of the intestine shows the protective mechanisms of gut mucus against harmful bacteria (shown pink with flagella)
invasion and toxin release. Image created by author using Corel Graphics Suite 2017. Information is attributed to WebMD.

2.4. Shelf life of probiotic products To assess the implications of product expiration, one
A 2017 nationally representative survey of 1,006 American study investigated the viability of microorganisms in
adults found that about one-third had not cleaned out their expired probiotic products and how packaging and storage
23
medicine cabinet in the past year, and nearly one-fifth had conditions impact their efficacy. Of the 33 expired
not done so in the past 3 years. Consequently, many products evaluated, 22 still had viable contents despite
22
households store pharmaceuticals past their use-by dates. being expired, on average, for more than 11 years. However,
This poses a concern, as manufacturers are legally required only five met or exceeded their original cell count claims.
to guarantee product safety only up to the indicated use-by Microbial viability was significantly influenced by factors
date; any use beyond that point cannot be assumed to be such as packaging type, storage conditions, and time since
safe. expiry.

Volume 2 Issue 3 (2025) 34 doi: 10.36922/mi.6424