The main difference between Saccharomyces boulardii and lactobacillus is that Saccharomyces boulardii is a type of yeast, whereas lactobacillus is a type of bacteria.
Saccharomyces boulardii and lactobascillus are both probiotic organisms that can be found in supplements and certain foods.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Saccharomyces Boulardii
– Definition, Facts, Importance
2. What is Lactobacillus
– Definition, Facts, Importance
3. Similarities – Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Saccharomyces Boulardii, Lactobacillus
What is Saccharomyces boulardii?
Saccharomyces boulardii is a tropical yeast fungus. Saccharomyces boulardii belongs to the kingdom Fungi, division Ascmycota, class Saccharomycetes, order Saccharomycetales, family Saccharomycetaceae, and genus Saccharomyces. It is a type of probiotic that acts as a friendly organism to the body. In fact, it is the yeast strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This organism helps to fight against harmful organisms that are in the body or entering the body and causing diseases. Moreover, it is even available as a dietary supplement.
People use Saccharomyces boulardii to treat and prevent diarrhea. In children, this microbe prevents rotaviral diarrhea. It is also useful in treating digestive tract infections that might lead to ulcers and acne. Hence, we consider it a biotherapeutic agent and a nonpathogen. This yeast is also useful in treating prophylaxis. S. boulardii has also demonstrated clinical and experimental effectiveness in gastrointestinal diseases with a predominant inflammatory component. Saccharomyces also act as a treatment for general digestion problems, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel syndrome, Lyme disease, and a bowel disorder called lapsing bacterial overgrowth in short bowel syndrome. Sometimes it is also used for high cholesterol levels, urinary tract infections, vaginal yeast infections, lactose intolerance, teenage acne, and fever blisters.
Taking Saccharomyces boulardii by mouth is a treatment for diarrhea in children. Moreover, this organism can even be taken as a dietary supplement. There are many factors that decide the efficacy of Saccharomyces boulardii as a probiotic. Some of these include the intrinsic properties of yeast, its pharmacokinetics, stability, product-to-product variation, and dose. Moreover, saccharomyces boulardii is commercially available as a probiotic.
What is Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus is a gram-positive, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacteria. It belongs to the domain Bacteria, phylum Bacillota, class Bacilli, order Lactobacillales, family Lactobacillaceae, and genus Lactobacillus. These non-motile organisms can survive in both aerobic and anaerobic environments. They are commensals living in the human and animal gastrointestinal tract, in the human mouth, and vagina.
One major characteristic feature of lactobacillus is its ability to form lactic acid as a by-product of glucose metabolism. The amount of lactic acid these organisms produce varies. Homofermentative organisms produce lactic acid in large amounts while heterofermentative organisms produce lactic acid as only half of their total metabolic products. This organism exists in manure, animal feed, milk, and milk products. Moreover, they are used in the production of yogurt, cheese, manufacture of fermented dairy products, sourdough, meat, and vegetables. They are also probiotics that nourish the gut and benefit health. Additionally, they help in the process of digestion and boost immunity.
Similarities Between Saccharomyces Boulardii and Lactobacillus
- Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus are two types of probiotics.
- Both of these probiotics are available in certain food and as supplements.
Difference Between Saccharomyces Boulardii and Lactobacillus
Definition
Saccharomyces boulardii is a tropical yeast fungus, while lactobacillus is a gram-positive, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacteria.
Classification
Saccharomyces boulardii belongs to the kingdom Fungi, division Ascmycota, class Saccharomycetes, order Saccharomycetales, family Saccharomycetaceae, and genus Saccharomyces. On the other hand, lactobacillus belong to the domain Bacteria, phylum Bacillota, class Bacilli, order Lactobacillales, family Lactobacillaceae,
Origin
Saccharomyces boulardii is a non-pathogenic strain of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that is originally isolated from tropical fruits like mangoes, whereas lactobacillus is a genus of bacteria commonly found in the human gut and fermented foods like yogurt.
Applications
Saccharomyces boulardii is typically used as a probiotic supplement to support gut health, while lactobacillus is used mostly in fermenting foods and as probiotic supplements for digestive and immune support.
Conclusion
Saccharomyces boulardii and lactobacillus are both prebiotic organisms present in supplements and certain foods. The main difference between Saccharomyces boulardii and lactobacillus is that Saccharomyces boulardii is a type of yeast, whereas lactobacillus is a type of bacteria.
Reference:
1. “Saccharomyces Boulardii – Uses, Side Effects, and More.” WebMD.
2. “Lactobacillus – Overview.” Science Direct.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Saccharomyces boulardii” By Karolina.lokkkaj – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Lactobacillus (Gram+)” By Yelen – Own work (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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