Abstract: Provided is Lactobacillus paracasei TCI727, deposited in the Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH (DSMZ) with a deposit number of DSM 33756. A method for improving calcium absorption of a subject in need thereof by using the Lactobacillus paracasei TCI727 or metabolites thereof is also provided. The method includes administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition comprising the Lactobacillus paracasei TCI727 or the metabolites thereof.

Abstract: Methods for promoting intestinal health of a subject in need thereof and for enhancing antioxidation in a subject in a subject in need thereof are provided. The methods include administering to the subject a prebiotic composition, which includes grape ferment, lactitol, and fructooligosaccharide. The weight ratio of the grape ferment, the lactitol, and the fructooligosaccharide falls within the range of 1-2:1-2:1-2. The grape ferment is obtained by fermenting grape extract with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Streptococcus thermophilus.

Abstract: Lactobacillus johnsonii is provided. The Lactobacillus johnsonii is Lactobacillus johnsonii TCI369 with an accession number of DSM 34008. Also, a method for increasing the level of unsaturation in fatty acids is provided. The method includes administering to a subject in need thereof a composition including Lactobacillus johnsonii or metabolites thereof. The Lactobacillus johnsonii is the Lactobacillus johnsonii TCI369 with an accession number of DSM 34008.

Abstract: A method for maintaining skin corneum layer completeness, promoting hyaluronic acid production, improving skin cell mitochondrion activity and/or promoting skin cell proliferation in a subject in need thereof, includes administering to the subject a composition including bacterial lysate of a H. trueperi TCI66207 strain. The Halobacillus trueperi TCI66207 strain is deposited in Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures under an accession number of DSM 33381.

Abstract: Prebiotic composition including grape ferment, a first component, and a second component is provided. The first component is lactitol or xylooligosaccharide, and the second component is fructooligosaccharide, xylooligosaccharide, or inulin. The first component is different from the second component, and a weight ratio of the grape ferment, the first component and the second component falls within the range of 1-2:1-2:1-2. Based on this, the prebiotic composition prepared by grape ferment can be used to promote intestinal health of a subject in need thereof and enhance antioxidation in the subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for regulating expression of IL-1? gene, MMP1a gene and TIMP1 gene of chondrocytes using a Lactobacillus plantarum strain TCI227.

Abstract: A Halobacillus trueperi TCI66207 strain, deposited in the Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (Accession number DSM 33381). The H. trueperi TCI66207 strain has one or more of the following function: improving skin cell mitochondrion activity, promoting skin cell proliferation, maintaining skin corneum layer completeness, increasing expression of keratin (Keratin14) and/or hyaluronic acid synthase (HAS3) genes and promoting hyaluronic acid production.

Abstract: Prebiotic composition including grape ferment, a first component, and a second component is provided. The first component is lactitol or xylooligosaccharide, and the second component is fructooligosaccharide, xylooligosaccharide, or inulin. The first component is different from the second component, and a weight ratio of the grape ferment, the first component and the second component falls within the range of 1-2:1-2:1-2. Based on this, the prebiotic composition prepared by grape ferment can be used to promote intestinal health of a subject in need thereof and enhance antioxidation in the subject.

Abstract: Provided is a prebiotic composition, including a kiwifruit fermented product, inulin, and fructooligosaccharide, where the weight ratio of the kiwifruit fermented product, the inulin, and the fructooligosaccharide is 3-4:2.5-4:2.5-4. Based on this, the prebiotic composition prepared from the kiwifruit fermented product and sugars can be used for improving an intestinal tract of a subject.

Abstract: Provided is Lactobacillus paracasei TCI727, deposited in the Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH (DSMZ) with a deposit number of DSM 33756. A method for improving calcium absorption of a subject in need thereof by using the Lactobacillus paracasei TCI727 or metabolites thereof is also provided. The method includes administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition comprising the Lactobacillus paracasei TCI727 or the metabolites thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a method of promoting the growth of Akkermansia muciniphila, including contacting A. muciniphila with an effective amount of a prebiotic composition including a Musa ferment. Also provided is a prebiotic composition including a Musa ferment. The prebiotic composition promotes the growth of A. muciniphila in the intestine, and reduces the body weight, fat percentage, waist circumference, and hip circumference of obese individuals.

Abstract: Provided is a method of improving urogenital health, including administering to a subject a composition including an effective amount of a Lactobacillus johnsonii strain deposited under the accession number of DSM 33288 or a metabolite thereof. The Lactobacillus johnsonii strain, which is a probiotic, and metabolites thereof inhibit the growth of common pathogenic bacteria and fungi causing genitourinary tract infections, thereby reducing the risk of genitourinary tract infections or alleviating symptoms thereof. Also provided is a composition for improving urogenital health which includes the Lactobacillus johnsonii strain.

Abstract: Alteromonas macleodii Dow02-2 is provided, wherein the Alteromonas macleodii Dow02-2 was deposited at German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen and Zellkulturen, DSMZ) under the accession number DSM33380, and its metabolites comprise 2-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid. A method for providing 2-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid is also provided, wherein the method comprises isolating the 2-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid from metabolites of Alteromonas macleodii Dow02-2 of biologically pure culture. A method for at least one of increasing expression of TGM1 gene, increasing expression of KRT1 gene, increasing expression of KRT10 gene, increasing expression of KRT14 gene, increasing expression of FLG gene, increasing expression of GBA gene, and increasing expression of HAS3 gene is also provided, wherein the method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of 2-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for regulating expression of IL-1? gene, MMP1a gene and TIMP1 gene of chondrocytes using a Lactobacillus plantarum strain TCI227.

Abstract: Lactobacillus plantarum TCI378 is provided. The Lactobacillus plantarum TCI378 was deposited at German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen and Zellkulturen, DSMZ) under the accession number DSM 32451. A method for losing fat and/or improving gastrointestinal functions is also provided. The method comprises administering to a subject in need an effective amount of a composition, wherein the composition comprises Lactobacillus plantarum TCI378 and/or its metabolites.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reducing body fat, comprising administering a composition comprising an effective amount of Lactobacillus paracasei or a metabolite thereof to a subject in need thereof. The Lactobacillus paracasei or the metabolite thereof can effectively convert the fatty acid into conjugated linoleic acid, inhibit the accumulation of fat and promote the decomposition of fat in fat cells, and can effectively reduce the percentage of body fat, waist circumference, and hip circumference, and simultaneously increase the muscle mass of the subject.

Abstract: Saccharomyces cerevisiae TCI907 was deposited in the German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures under the accession number DSMZ33480. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae TCI907 and/or its metabolites can be used to prepare compositions that regulate blood glucose, lose weight or reduce the production of advanced glycation end products.

Abstract: Provided is a method of promoting the growth of Akkermansia muciniphila, including contacting A. muciniphila with an effective amount of a prebiotic composition including a Musa ferment. Also provided is a prebiotic composition including a Musa ferment. The prebiotic composition promotes the growth of A. muciniphila in the intestine, and reduces the body weight, fat percentage, waist circumference, and hip circumference of obese individuals.

Abstract: A Halobacillus trueperi TCI66207 strain, deposited in Non-profit Private Entity Food Industry Research and Development Institute (Deposit number: BCRC910961). The H. trueperi TCI66207 strain has one or more of the following function: improving skin cell mitochondrion activity, promoting skin cell proliferation, maintaining skin corneum layer completeness, increasing expression of cornifin (Keratin14) and/or hyaluronic acid synthase (HAS3) genes and promoting hyaluronic acid production.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a Lactobacillus plantarum strain and a method for regulating expression of IL-1? gene, TNF-? gene, MMP1? gene and TIMP1 gene, and treating gout using the Lactobacillus plantarum strain.