A Gram-positive, spore-forming lactic acid producer.
Heyndrickxia coagulans, formerly Bacillus coagulans, is a Gram-positive, rod-shaped, spore-forming and lactic acid-producing bacterium. It is also referred to in some scientific classifications as Weizmannia coagulans. The microorganism is catalase-positive and facultatively anaerobic, able to grow under both oxygen-rich and reduced-oxygen conditions.
Unlike many conventional probiotic microorganisms, H. coagulans forms highly resistant endospores. These spores help protect the organism from environmental stress including elevated temperatures, acidic conditions and exposure to bile, improving stability during manufacturing, storage and passage through the gastrointestinal tract.
Bacospore® is based on the proprietary H. coagulans strain MTCC 25308, deposited with MTCC (India) and with ATCC as PTA-126364.
Viable spores, not a botanical extract.
The functional component of Bacospore® is the viable spore of H. coagulans. Under microscopic examination, spores appear as small oval, terminal or subterminal refractile bodies associated with the vegetative cells. The microorganism is generally rod-shaped and may occur singly or in pairs.
Commercial grades are standardized to viable spore count. Bacospore® 300B is specified to contain not less than 300 billion viable spores per gram. It uses maltodextrin derived from tapioca as the excipient and is supplied as a water-soluble, light brown to dark brown powder with a characteristic odour.
From soil and fermented foods to controlled cultivation.
H. coagulans is commonly associated with soil, which acts as an important environmental reservoir. It has also been reported in agricultural materials, crops and naturally fermented foods including fermented rice and vegetable-based products across Asia, Europe and Africa.
Bacospore® is produced independently of wild collection and seasonal harvesting. Strain MTCC 25308 is cultivated through controlled fermentation with an optimum growth temperature of 38–50°C (range 30–55°C) and optimum pH of 5.5–6.5. The strain is a facultative anaerobe.
Strain identity panel.
| Scientific name | Heyndrickxia coagulans |
|---|---|
| Former name | Bacillus coagulans |
| Additional synonym | Weizmannia coagulans |
| Strain identification | MTCC 25308 |
| International deposit | ATCC PTA-126364 |
| Morphology | Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium |
| Spore position | Terminal to subterminal, oval spores |
| Oxygen requirement | Facultative anaerobe |
| Catalase activity | Positive |
| Oxidase activity | Positive |
| Lactic acid production | Positive |
| Haemolytic activity | Negative (gamma-haemolytic) |
Strain identity is supported through microscopic characteristics, biochemical testing and the documented metabolic profile, including positive catalase, oxidase, methyl red, Voges-Proskauer and starch hydrolysis tests, with a negative indole test.
Manufactured in India, batch-level consistency.
Bacospore® is manufactured by Star Hi Herbs Pvt. Ltd. at its Unit-2 facility in the Pharma SEZ, Hassan, Karnataka. The process is based on fermentation, followed by standardization and quality testing of the viable spore preparation. The 300B specification identifies the product as GMO-free, BSE/TSE-free, non-irradiated and not treated with ethylene oxide, with a two-year shelf life under recommended storage.