DEFINITION

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis is a lactic-acid producing, Gram-positive, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, anaerobic bacterium that is pleomorphic. Various rod shapes may be observed, but they are typically curved/clubbed, and often branched. Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis occurs as a white- to cream-colored powder that is produced via fermentation of one of three strains of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis: Bi-07 (ATCC SD5220), Bl-04 (ATCC SD5219), and HN019 (ATCC SD5674). Suitable cryoprotectants may be added to the concentrated bacteria following fermentation, after which the product is frozen and then freeze-dried. The formulated product may be blended with food-grade diluents and/or bulking agents. It contains NLT 100% of the labeled viable cell count of one of the three Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis strains.