(Translated from press release in Taiwan’s News Portal, CNA: https://www.cna.com.tw/postwrite/Detail/296360.aspx)

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Taiwan-Malaysia Bilateral Lactic Acid Bacteria International Webinar 2021 - Creating a New International Opportunity for the Taiwan’s Healthcare Industry

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the MSLAB-TALAB International Webinar 2021 was successfully held on 15th July 2021 enthusiastically. More than 120 domestic and foreign probiotic production officers and more than 500 researchers met to share and discuss lactic acid bacteria (LAB) prospects and the market potential of LAB application in anti-aging, female health care, and pet medicine.

The international webinar was organized by the Taiwan Association for Lactic Acid Bacteria (TALAB) and the Malaysian Society for Lactic Acid Bacteria (MSLAB) and sponsored by the MICE International Conference project grant from the Taipei City Tourism and Communication Bureau. The international online seminar was conducted across the border to have an open and in-depth discussion on LAB research, education and industry. Furthermore, the event promoted the cooperation between a few universities in Malaysia and Taiwan, including the National Taiwan University, National Chung Hsing University, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hong Guang University of Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), UCSI University, Management and Science University, Universiti Teknologi MARA and Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI). In addition, more than 80 domestic and foreign LAB related companies attended the webinar, strengthening the LAB industry of the two countries in Asia and throughout the world.

New Research and Development Trends of LAB in Anti-Ageing and Parkinson Disease Prevention

In response to the market demand for healthy ageing, Prof. Dr. Ming Xian Wu, the Dean of the Taiwan University Hospital, took the lead in sharing the prospect of microbial treatments, "Bacterial Therapy: From Probiotics to Microbiome-Based Drugs". Dr. Lin Shan from the Grape King Biotech discussed the latest development of anti-aging LAB from the industrial perspective. According to Dr. Lin’s findings, the application of Lactobacillus plantarum GKM3 helps to delay aging, prevent osteoporosis and muscle deficiency and other ageing-related diseases, which can be applied to the development of elderly related health food. On the other hand, Professor Dr. Ying-Chieh Tsai, Professor Chair of Industry at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, discussed the potential of psychoactive probiotic PS128 in the prevention of Parkinson's disease.

Modern Diseases: Applications of Lactic Acid Bacteria in Depression, Women’s Health, and Gastrointestinal Health

From the National Oceanic University of Taiwan, Professor Guo Zhen Tsai shared on applying FPA 3709 LAB strains isolated from the intestines of fish in the fermentation of black soybean milk, which can effectively improve the symptoms of depression in rats. Next, Professor Chun-Ying Wu, President of the Taiwan Microbiota Consortium from the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, shared the relationship between gut microbiota and metabolic diseases. He demonstrated the potential of faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to improve complex metabolic disorders. Finally, Associate Professor Dr. Leslie Thian Lung Than from the Universiti Putra Malaysia presented LAB's potential as a solution to suppress vaginal infections. Lactobacillus can regulate and restore a balanced vaginal microbiome to maintain vaginal health and act as an adjuvant to prevent vaginal infection.

Trends and Developing New Applications of LAB in the Infant and Pet Care Industry

Associate Professor Dr. Satoshi Hachimura from the University of Tokyo, Japan, has shown the relationship between LAB and intestinal immunomodulation. According to Dr. Satoshi, the production of IgA is an essential feature of the intestinal immune response. LAB can enhance intestinal IgA production and prevent infection. Thus, the intestinal immune system may be affected by the regulation of LAB. Next, professor Colin Hill from the University College Cork in Ireland discussed the bacteriocins produced by LAB and the development of LAB in food and veterinary medicine. Next, professor Maria Rescigno from the University of Humanitas, Italy, presented on "Postbiotics: New frontiers in health care". Postbiotics are the metabolites released by probiotics during food fermentation. It is a well-established fact that fermented infant formula milk powder and standard formula milk powder could affect the natural microbiota of newborns. Based on her study, the metabolome found in fermented formula milk is similar to breast milk, which can regulate the immunity and intestinal microflora balance.

This international seminar has allowed Taiwan and Malaysia to conduct in-depth and substantive exchanges on the topic of LAB. Through the international cooperation of both countries, Taiwan's visibility and the applications of these tiny remarkable LAB in human and animal health can be promoted globally.

News Contact:

Deputy Secretary-General, Dr. Chen Yanbo, Telephone: 0939942569, Email address:chenyp@nchu.edu.tw