Alkalihalobacillus clausii 088AE as a functional and medical food ingredient: assessment of in vitro protein digestibility and food calorie reduction

Alkalihalobacillus clausii 088AE [MCC 0538] showed significant viability during processing and storage of various functional and medicinal food matrices such as hot and cold nonalcoholic beverages, dietary supplements, confectionery and oils. The spore preparation was stable in aqueous suspension (99.355%–99.656%), under acidic conditions (92.067%–99.514%), bile (99.227%–99.791%) and tolerated high temperatures. A. clausii 088AE reduced dietary calories both independently and in multispecies consortium in in vitro. A. clausii 088AE digested dietary protein present in both casein protein (84.307%) and infant formula feed (89.069%) in the postgastric intestinal phase (P = 0.0001). In conclusion, A. clausii 088AE spore preparation remained stable in the preparation and storage of functional and medical foods. A. clausii 088AE can be recommended as an ingredient in functional and medicinal foods that may improve protein digestion and energy metabolism and bring related health benefits.