The main difference between Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus is that L. acidophilus is the most commonly used probiotic that produces lactic acid, whereas L. rhamnosus causes less severe lung infections when milk contains this bacteria.
L. acidophilus and L. rhamnosus are two types of probiotic bacteria that promote health benefits upon consumption. Moreover, they are Gram-positive, homofermentative, and anaerobic microorganisms.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Lactobacillus Acidophilus
– Definition, Characteristics, Importance
2. What is Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
– Definition, Characteristics, Importance
3. Similarities Between Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
What is Lactobacillus Acidophilus
L. acidophilus is a Gram-positive, rod-shaped, homofermentative, and anaerobic bacteria. It was first isolated in the year 1990 from infant feces. L. acidophilus mostly occurs in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and vagina. In addition, it occurs in fermented milk and yogurt. L. acidophilus readily grows at low pH levels below 5.0. Moreover, the optimal temperature for the growth of the bacterium is 37 °C. L. acidophilus also shows strong probiotic effects. Therefore, it occurs commercially in dairy products.
Figure 1: L. acidophilus
Furthermore, L. acidophilus produces lactic acid that increases the pH of the medium. However, the increased pH of the medium reduces the growth of the bad bacteria. Generally, bad bacteria include Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, and Clostridium perfringens. Here, Staphylococcus aureus is the most affected bacterium by the increment of the pH. Apart from that, L. acidophilus is an immobile bacterium that ranges its size from 2-10 μm in size. It also has one phospholipid bilayer membrane. In addition, the large cell wall of L. acidophilus contains a peptidoglycan exterior.
What is Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
L. rhamnosus is a short, Gram-positive bacterium that is homofermentative and facultatively anaerobic. It is also a non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacteria that appear in chains. L. rhamnosus is important as a probiotic, and it comes in fermented milk. In addition, it is important as a non-starter-lactic acid bacterium in long-ripened cheese. However, L. rhamnosus is not beneficial for some populations. For instance, it causes endocarditis in infants and people with a weakened immune system.
Figure 2: L. rhmnosus
Moreover, L. rhamnosus is important for treating infections in the urogenital tract of females. It is also important for treating bacterial vaginosis. In addition, the healthy female’s genito-urinary tract and the gastrointestinal tract contain the bacterium. Generally, the main feature of the bacterium L. rhamnosus is that it has the capacity to adapt to a large range of environmental conditions. However, when given with milk, L. rhamnosus causes fewer to less severe lung infections.
Similarities Between Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
- L. acidophilus and L. rhamnosus are two types of probiotic bacteria.
- They are Gram-positive.
- They are homofermentative and anaerobic bacteria.
- Moreover, they are non-spore-forming bacteria.
- In addition, they have health benefits upon consumption.
Difference Between Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
Definition
L. acidophilus refers to a type of probiotic (“good” bacteria) found in the mouth, vagina, and gut, while L. rhamnosus refers to a rod-shaped, Gram-positive, homofermentative, anaerobic microbe first isolated from infant feces in the year 1900.
Importance
L. acidophilus is the most common type of probiotic bacteria, while L. rhamnosus causes less severe lung infections when consumed with milk.
Lactic Acid Excretion
Moreover, L. acidophilus excretes lactic acid that changes the pH of the environment, while L. rhamnosus does not excrete lactic acid.
Influence
L. acidophilus makes the environment unfavorable to bad bacteria by increasing the pH, while L. rhamnosus does not make the environment unfavorable to other bacteria.
Clinical Evidence
L. acidophilus with milk reduces symptoms of fever, runny nose, and cough, but L. rhamnosus causes fewer to less severe lung infections.
Antibacterial Effect
Furthermore, L. acidophilus has an antibacterial effect, while L. rhamnosus reduces diarrhea along with antibiotics.
Conclusion
In brief, L. acidophilus and L. rhamnosus are two types of probiotic bacteria, and they are Gram-positive. Generally, L. acidophilus is the most common type of probiotic bacteria that excretes lactic acid, increasing the pH of the environment. Subsequently, the increment of pH makes an unfavorable environment for bad bacteria. L. acidophilus in milk also reduces symptoms of fever, cough, and runny nose. In addition, L. acidophilus has an antibacterial effect. In comparison, L. rhamnosus is a bacterium that causes less severe lung infections. However, it does not form lactic acid, and therefore, it has no effect on changing pH. It also does not show any antibiotic effect. Hence, the main difference between L. acidophilus and L. rhamnosus is the production of lactic acid.
References:
- “Lactobacillus acidophilus: Overview, uses, side effects, precautions, interactions, dosing and reviews.” WebMD.
- “Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus: Overview, uses, side effects, precautions, interactions, dosing and reviews.” WebMD.
Image Courtesy:
- “20101212 200110 LactobacillusAcidophilus” By Bob Blaylock – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
- “LGG tipo-salvaje tabique” By Claes IJJ, Schoofs G, Regulski K, Courtin P, Chapot-Chartier M-P, Rolain T, et al. – Own Work (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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