Conjugated linoleic acid-producing strains of probiotic bacteria and use thereof for the preparation of a food, dietetic or pharmaceutical composition

Abstract

The present invention relates to conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)-producing strains of probiotic bacteria. In particular, the present invention relates to a selection of bacterial strains belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium which were selected for their ability to produce conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) from linoleic acid (LA). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a food, dietetic or pharmaceutical composition comprising said bacterial strains capable of increasing the quantity of CLA in situ, i.e. inside the gastrointestinal tract.

1 . A bacterial strain belonging to the genus  Bifidobacterium  which has the ability to convert linoleic acid into conjugated linoleic acid with a conversion ratio greater than 90%. 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The bacterial strain according to  claim 1 , wherein said strain belongs to the species  Bifidobacterium longum.    
     
     
         4 . The bacterial strain according to  claim 3 , wherein said strain is the  Bifidobacterium longum  deposited with the DSMZ on 12 Jan. 2010 under accession number DSM 23233. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A food or dietetic or pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one bacterial strain according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . The composition according to  claim 6 , wherein said composition comprises the bacterial strain  Bifidobacterium longum , deposited with the DSMZ on 12 Jan. 2010 under the accession number DSM 23233, in combination with at least one bacterial strain selected from the group consisting of:
   Bifidobacterium breve , deposited with the DSMZ and having the accession number DSM 16604, filing date 20 Jul. 2004, depositor Probiotical S.p.A.,     Bifidobacterium breve , deposited with the DSMZ and having the accession number DSM 16596, filing date 21 Jul. 2004, depositor Probiotical S.p.A., and     Bifidobacterium breve , deposited with the DSMZ and having the accession number DSM 20213.   
     
     
         8 . The pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 7 , for use as a medication. 
     
     
         9 . The composition according to  claim 6 , for use in the treatment of disorders or pathologies connected to a deficiency in conjugated linoleic acid. 
     
     
         10 . A bacterial strain belonging to the species  Bifidobacterium longum  deposited with the DSMZ on 12 Jan. 2010 under accession number no. DSM 23233. 
     
     
         11 . A method for treating a disorder or pathology connected to a deficiency in conjugated linoleic acid, the method comprising administering an effective amount of a composition of  claim 6  to a subject in need thereof, such that the disorder or pathology is treated. 
     
     
         12 . A method for treating inflammation, the method comprising administering an effective amount of a composition of  claim 6  to a subject in need thereof, such that the inflammation is treated.