The friendliest bacteria of all?

Lactobacillus is not a word that trips off the tongue easily unless you've had a few. However, the tongue is a very good place for it according to Chemisty and Industry magazine which says that this friendliest of bacterias could be appearing in a chewing gum near you by next year.

The good bacteria in the gum makes it more difficult for the bad bacteria which causes tooth decay to stick to your teeth. Toothpastes and mouthwashes containing lactobacillus are also apparently in development.

If you've heard of lactobacillus already, it is probably because it is commonly found in live yoghurt and is widely believed to be good for digestion and beating bowel concer. Certainly, it is important that stocks of lactobacillus in the gut are replaced after taking antibiotics (which destroy bood bacteri as well as bad ones)

But that's not all. Scientistas are also raising a stink about another potential use of lactobacillus: the prevention of body odour. A deodorant using the freindly bacteria to stop the development of odour-producing bacteria in the armpit is also in the pipeline.

Of course, you may already be an oral user of Lactobacillus. Members of this bacteria family turn up all over the place in the human body. Lactobacillus acidophilus, for example, is part of the normal vaginal flora where it helps prevent vaginal yeast infections like candida.