종설 : 유산균의 항산화 효과

The health benefits of friendly bacteria first came to the attention of the general public in 1908, when Dr. Elie Metchnikoff, a Russian biologist, wrote The Prolongation of Life. The longevity may be, in part, due to the antioxidative ability of lactic acid bacteria. However, the antioxidative effect of lactic acid bacteria has been reported only recently. Many kinds of reactive oxygen species can be formed in the human body and in food system, oxidative stress plays a significant pathological role in human disease. Antioxidants are effective for the reduction of oxidation induced by oxygen radicals by scavenging reactive oxygen species. Various synthetic and natural antioxidants have been reported, but there are doubts about the safety and long term effects on health. Antioxidants from natural sources are likely to be found more desirable. An elevated scavenging ability of reactive oxygen species would be a good property for commercially applied lactic acid bacteria. Antioxidant supplement or food containing antioxidats would be greatly applied fro the reduction of oxidative damage for human body, and lactic acid bacteria are potentiated candidates for the production of functional foods or natural antioxidant supplements.