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Consumers are more aware and concerned about their lifestyle increasing the demand for foods that promote health and wellness, such as functional products containing probiotics and prebiotics, which have beneficial effects. Within the studies from this book the patented probiotic strains Lactobacillus rhamnosus IMC 501© and Lactobacillus paracasei IMC 502© and their combination, SYNBIO©, have proved that are optimal to be included in different dairy, non-dairy foods and beverages, and also used as dietary supplements. As the intestinal microbiota, also vaginal microbiota can change composition rapidly, for reasons that are not fully clear. SYNBIO© probiotic combination was used for the formulation of two new probiotic medical devices with positive effects on the vaginal health. An advantage for women is that they can self-administer the probiotics. Many more studies are needed to optimize the defensive properties of the vaginal microbiota, but the potential remains that the health of many women can be improved by probiotic intervention.

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Maria Magdalena Coman completed in 2013 the PhD program in Life Sciences-Biology at University of Camerino, Italy. During her studies and research activities she was involved in several international research collaborations, for innovation and investigation on selection of probiotic bacteria and prebiotics to design new products for human health.

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