Bacteria Genomes - LACTOBACILLUS PLANTARUM

Lactobacillus plantarum is a Gram-positive bacteria that produces lactic acid and lives in many different environments, including some foods and the human gastrointestinal tract. Researchers are studying the possibility of using the microbe to deliver vaccines and other therapeutic compounds to people.

Lactic acid bacteria are widely used in the dairy industry for the manufacture of cheese and yoghurt. Certain lactic acid bacteria, often members of the Lactobacillus genus, are believed to have a positive influence on the health of the consumer. Those probiotic strains are still viable during passage through the gastro-intestinal tract. In the intestine the presence or activity of the strain can provide possible benefits.

It has the unique ability to "liquefy gelatin." Gelatin is used to determine if a product can break down protein into usable nutrients (amino acids).

References:

http://gnn.tigr.org/sequenced_genomes/genome_guide_p2.shtml#lacb
http://www.yourlifesource.com/florafood.htm
http://www.wcfs.nl/
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U S A 100 (4):1990-5 (2003)