Research on Probiotics: A Well of Untapped Resources in Russia

During a visit I made to Moscow several years ago, I was very impressed by the potential in the field of probiotocs and I believed that important discoveries of relevance to Russian industry and agriculture could be made. Since then I’ve collaborated on 3 ISTC projects, the latest of which, “Probiotics for Functional Foods”, was funded at the March 2009 Governing Board Meeting. I also deeply support the new ISTC Targeted Initiative on Probiotics as it reflects the strong and growing interest throughout the world to improve health and cure various diseases using live bacteria.

Bacteria are integral to life itself, and although Russian scientists have been pioneers in recognizing the importance of beneficial microbes, they, like the rest of the world, have slipped behind in pursuing the mechanisms involved in these effects. But, there is a global re-awakening that has taken place, epitomized by the huge market growth in probiotic products, and the linear increase in peer-reviewed papers published on this topic. In the dairy industry, probiotic products are by far the fastest growing.

In the past few years, I have visited Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Eastern Germany, and soon Czech Republic, and in all of these former Soviet Bloc countries, probiotic research is booming. As President of the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics, I have seen unprecedented growth this past year, and 25 of the world's top food and pharma companies joined our organization's Industry Advisory Committee last November. One relatively small Swedish company, BioGaia, just reported over 30% growth in 2008, an amazing result during the current economic hardship.

The range of research is breathtaking: from brain and Central Nervous System to vital organs, the vascular system, oral, intestinal and urogenital tracts, skin and bones. My own studies are focused on women's health, pregnancy and the development of the baby, and applications to HIV/AIDS, There is enormous untapped potential amongst the Russian scientific community for studies on the human and animal microbiomes that have the potential to not only lead to scientific advances, but new food and pharma products that will improve the health and well-being of people around the world. There are many reasons why the average lifespan of Russian men is around 60 years, and why Japanese men live more than 20 years longer. But food and the microbiota certainly can improve that statistic, as Nobel Laureate Elie Metchnikoff recognized over 100 years ago.

I will be delighted to provide ISTC with advice as it moves forward. Probiotics have emerged from Japan in the 1930s, and made a huge impact on science and business in Europe since the mid 1990s, and now making a large impact in North America, Korea and other developed countries. Indeed, Yakult and Activia milk based probiotics are now multi-billion dollar products. Given the talent of the Russian science base and the high level of education that many young Russians have attained, I would predict that implementation of your program will see many exciting developments emerge in the future.

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