Strain-Specific Effects of Vaginal Probiotics in formulation of Functional Fermented Milk designed for Women's Well-Being

Fermented milks are widely recognized as excellent carriers for probiotic bacteria, and growing evidence highlight the potential of functional foods to influence human health. It is already well established that probiotic strains exhibit strain-specific behaviors. This characteristic is crucial not only for selecting strains to achieve desired health effects but also for optimizing food formulations, as each strain may positively or negatively impact the final product's quality. This study, conducted as part of the FUNPRO-L project, aims to develop a functional fermented milk using skim milk, the starter culture ST-440 (Sacco) (a mix of Streptococcus thermophilus strains producing exopolysaccharides), and probiotics of vaginal origin with potential benefits for women's well-being.