Bacillus coagulans

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Bacillus coagulans

Gram stain of Bacillus coagulans colonies.

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Bacteria
Phylum:	Firmicutes
Class:	Bacilli
Order:	Bacillales
Family:	Bacillaceae
Genus:	Bacillus
Species:	B. coagulans

Binomial name

Bacillus coagulans
Hammer, 1915

Bacillus coagulans is a species of lactic acid forming Bacillus bacteria, which can contaminate canned food and gives it a flat sour taste. This includes foods that are normally too acidic for most bacteria; B. coagulans can grow at a pH as low as 4.2. It is also sometimes marketed illegally as Lactobacillus sporogenes, see below and the source below.

Properties: Gram-positive (may appear Gram-negative when entering the stationary phase of growth), as all other species in genus Bacillus B. coagulans forms endospores, which are resistant to chemical and physical agents. Temperature optimum for growth is 37 °C. Species is motile. Found in soil, canned acid food and also in medicated creams and antacids.

iMVic Tests VP and MR (methyl-red) tests are positive. Citrate and Nitrate tests are negative.

Bacillus coagulans is often listed as Lactobacillus sporogenes on probiotic or health products pages, but this is a phantasy name. The bacterium used in these products is not a lactic acid bacterium, as Bacillus species do not belong to the lactic acid bacteria.

It is marketed as a Lactobacillus species by producers, most likely to avoid testing procedures. The FDA has granted Lactobacillus species the GRAS status, but Bacillus species do not have this status. By using the old name (the bacterium was renamed in 1936/7 !), the producer avoids the FDA regulations. (see source 3 below)

Technically and scientifically, the Lactobacillus sporogenes thus does not exist and products should be labelled as Bacillus coagulans. Source 1 gives a detailed description and situation in EU law regarding this issue.

There is very little information available on the use of this bacterium as a probiotic, most information provided by the producers deals with studies done with other bacteria.

It is also designated as a 'sporeforming lactic acid bacterium'. The name is intended to sound like a real species. However, no such species actually exists, and thus there are no health promoting effects. By definition, lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium) do not form spores.