''Lactobacillus helveticus'' is a gram-positive, lactic-acid producing, rod-shaped bacterium of the genus ''
Lactobacillus
''Lactobacillus'' is a genus of gram-positive, aerotolerant anaerobes or microaerophilic, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacteria. Until 2020, the genus ''Lactobacillus'' comprised over 260 phylogenetically, ecologically, and metabolically div ...
''. It is most commonly used in the production of
American Swiss cheese and
Emmental cheese
Emmental, Emmentaler, or Emmenthal is a yellow, medium-hard cheese that originated in the Emme Valley in Switzerland. It is classified as a Swiss-type cheese.
History
Emmental cheese originates from the Emme Valley in Switzerland.
It has a ...
, but is also sometimes used in making other styles of cheese, such as
Cheddar,
Parmesan
Parmesan (, ) is an Italian cuisine, Italian Types of cheese#Hard cheese, hard, Types of cheese#Granular, granular cheese produced from Dairy cattle, cow's milk and aged at least 12 months. It is a Grana (cheese), grana-type cheese, along wit ...
,
Romano,
provolone, and
mozzarella
Mozzarella is a Types of cheese#Semi-soft cheese, semi-soft non-aged cheese prepared using the ('stretched-curd') method with origins from southern Italy.
It is prepared with cow's milk or buffalo milk, taking the following names:
* or mozz ...
. The primary function of ''L. helveticus'' culture is to prevent bitterness and produce nutty flavors in the final cheese. In Emmental cheese production, ''L. helveticus'' is used in conjunction with a ''
Propionibacterium
''Propionibacterium'' is a gram-positive, anaerobic, rod-shaped genus of bacteria named for their unique metabolism: They are able to synthesize propionic acid by using unusual transcarboxylase enzymes.
Its members are primarily facultative pa ...
'' culture, which is responsible for developing the holes (known as "eyes") through production of carbon dioxide gas.
Ingestion of powdered milk fermented with ''L. helveticus'' was shown to decrease
blood pressure
Blood pressure (BP) is the pressure of Circulatory system, circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels. Most of this pressure results from the heart pumping blood through the circulatory system. When used without qualification, the term ...
due to the presence of manufactured
tripeptide
A tripeptide is a peptide derived from three amino acids joined by two or sometimes three peptide bonds. As for proteins, the function of peptides is determined by the constituent amino acids and their sequence. In terms of scientific investigati ...
s that have
ACE inhibitor
Angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) are a class of medication used primarily for the treatment of high blood pressure and heart failure. This class of medicine works by causing relaxation of blood vessels as well as a decr ...
activity. However, results have been contradictory in later studies.
''Lactobacillus helveticus'' has been studied together with ''
Bifidobacterium longum'' in the treatment of depression and anxiety. A reduction in psychological stress was observed.
The bacterium's specific name is an adjective derived from "
Helvetia
Helvetia () is a national personification of Switzerland, officially , the Swiss Confederation.
The allegory is typically pictured in a flowing clothing, with a spear and a shield emblazoned with the Flag of Switzerland, Swiss flag, and commo ...
", the Latin name for the region occupied by the ancient
Helvetii
The Helvetii (, , Gaulish: *''Heluētī''), anglicized as Helvetians, were a Celtic tribe or tribal confederation occupying most of the Swiss plateau at the time of their contact with the Roman Republic in the 1st century BC. According to Ju ...
(and for modern Switzerland). The bacterium is also used as
probiotic
Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed, generally by improving or restoring the microbiota in the gut. Probiotics are considered generally safe to consume, but may cause bacteria– host interactions ...
.
See also
*
Lactic acid bacteria
Lactobacillales are an order of gram-positive, low-GC, acid-tolerant, generally nonsporulating, nonrespiring, either rod-shaped (bacilli) or spherical ( cocci) bacteria that share common metabolic and physiological characteristics. These bact ...
References
External links
''Lactobacillus helveticus''Type strain of ''Lactobacillus helveticus'' at Bac''Dive'' - the Bacterial Diversity Metadatabase
{{Taxonbar, from=Q142378
Lactobacillaceae
Bacteria used in dairy products
Bacteria described in 1919