Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria :
Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria are Gram - positive lactic acid producing bacteria that constitute a major part of the normal intestinal micro flora in humans and animals. They play an important role in resistance to colonization against exogenous, potentially pathogenic microorganisms.

Lactobacilli :
Lactobacilli are Gram - positive, non - spore forming rods or coccobacilli. They have complex nutritional requirements, aero tolerant or anaerobic, acidophilic and are found in habitats rich in carbohydrate containing substrates such as the human intestinal mucosal membrane. They predominantly colonize the upper and lower small intestine.

Lactobacillus sporogenes :
Lactobacillus sporogenes is present predominantly in the small intestine and helps in synthesis of B complex vitamins and Vitamin K. It also produces enzymes required in the digestion of various carbohydrates, fats, and proteins and also aids in their absorption. They have the capability of transforming into the spore form, which gives it stability and the ability to withstand high temperature, gastric acid and bile acid. Once consumed by the host, these spores germinate in the upper small intestine and produce lactic acid thereby creating an environment, which will inhibit the growth of potentially pathogenic organisms. Lactobacillus sporogenes produces biologically active L (+) lactic acid, which is completely metabolized leading to glycogen synthesis. The WHO has recommended use of lactobacillus species that produce L (+) lactic acid, especially in infant nutritional formula. Some other strains of lactobacillus like lactobacillus acidophillus produce L (-) lactic acid, which cannot be metabolized by the body and so is not preferable as a nutritional supplement.

Bifidobacteria :
Bifidobacteria are nonmotile, non - spore forming, Gram - positive rods with varying appearance. Most strains are strictly anaerobic. They constitute a major part of the normal intestinal micro flora in humans throughout life.

Saccharomyces boulardii :
Saccharomyces boulardii belongs to the yeast species. It is non - pathogenic and non - colonizing. It is considered transient yeast in the human intestines, which means that it does not set up residence in the mucosal membrane of the intestinal tract like the lactobacillus and bifidobacteria.

Streptococcus thermophilus :
Streptococcus thermophilus are lactic acid producing aerobic gram-positive cocci. They are mainly found in the upper and lower small intestine and produce lactase enzyme, which is helpful in digestion of lactose, a sugar found in milk.

Should be able to rapidly replenish the normal gut flora in situations where the normal gut flora could be altered, as with the use of antibiotics.

Surgery involving the bowels

Food fads (increased fat, carbohydrate and meat intake)

Inflammatory bowel disease (Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease)

Increased nutritional value (better digestibility, increased absorption of vitamins and minerals).

Maintenance of mucosal integrity of the intestine.

Streptococcus faecalis T-110 :
Streptococcus faecalis T-110 are live mutated gram-positive, aerobic, non-spore forming cocci. They proliferate actively through the symbiotic action with B. mesentericus TO-A and C. butyricum TO-A to yield lactic acid with inhibition of growth of harmful bacteria. This lactic acid bacteria is found in the region from the upper to lower part of small intestine.

Clostridium butyricum TO-A :
Clostridium butyricum TO-A are live mutated gram-positive, anaerobic, spore forming bacilli. They proliferate actively through the symbiotic action with streptococcus faecalis T-110 to yield short chain fatty acids such as butyric acid and acetic acid with a resultant decrease in intestinal pH and inhibition of growth of harmful bacteria. Additionally it acts on the intestinal tract to improve abnormal bowel movements. The short chain fatty acids also help in adjustment of water and electrolyte concentration of the intestinal tract. They also serve as source of nutrient for intestinal mucosal cells. It is found predominantly in the region from the upper small intestine to the colon.

Bacillius mesentericus TO-A :
Bacillius mesentericus TO-A are live mutated gram-positive, aerobic, spore forming bacilli. They proliferate actively through the symbiotic action with streptococcus faecalis T-110. It is a spore forming bacteria and produces an amylolytic enzyme (amylase) and protease to activate proliferation of streptococcus T-110. It is also responsible for production of a nutrient, which helps in increasing the count of bifidobacteria. It is found predominantly in the small intestine.

These three bacteria when given together, colonize in the respective places in the gastrointestinal tract and promote each other’s growth and multiplication in the human gut in a symbiotic manner. It has been found that these three species of bacteria grow together in symbiosis twenty times as much, which would not have been possible in the absence of symbiosis amongst the three species of bacteria.

Further, in vitro studies have shown that these bacteria, when cultured together, inhibited the growth of pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella species, Shigella species, V. cholera and Staphylococcus aureus through their symbiotic action.

In vitro studies also demonstrated that there was a facilitation of division and proliferation of bifidobacteria when a filtrate of B. mesentericus TO-A culture solution was added to a culture of bifidobacteria. Accelerated growth of bifidobacteria was noted.

The three mutated bacteria have been shown to be resistant to the action of gastric juice and intestinal juice including bile. They can therefore pass unaffected through the upper GI tract (stomach and duodenum) and colonize in the lower GI tract (upper and small intestine and colon), when taken orally.

Studies have also shown that these bacteria help in normalizing the intestinal flora by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and preventing the growth of harmful bacteria. In cases of intestinal infection with pathogenic bacteria, intake of these three mutated bacteria can lower the counts of the pathogenic bacteria, while simultaneously increasing the count of beneficial bacteria. This is shown by a reversal of ratio of predominant aerobic : anaerobic bacteria to a predominant anaerobic : aerobic bacterial ratio. Here the aerobic bacteria signify the potentially pathogenic organisms whereas, the anaerobic bacteria signify the beneficial resident bacteria in the intestine.

The increased count of bifidobacteria, generated in the intestine through the action of the three mutated bacteria, produces Glutamine from NH4+ and glutamic acid in the intestine. Glutamine is the fuel for the intestinal cells and helps in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier. In this manner, the colonization by potentially pathogenic microorganisms in the intestine is inhibited.