Arla Foods to Map DNA Sequence in Bacteria 

05/03/07 Teaming up with Integrated Genomics Inc., Arla Foods intends to map the DNA sequence in its dairy lactic acid bacterium called “Lactobacillus casei F19”, which is found in the popular Cultura products.

The aim is to develop a broader range of food products with well-documented, health-promoting properties, and thus provide Arla Foods with a greater understanding of how the properties of “Lactobacillus casei F19” impact human health. This, in turn, will offer added opportunities for developing products within the field of functional foods.

The health-promoting properties of “Lactobacillus casei F19” have been subject to similar research projects before, including its ability to alleviate problems linked to the use of antibiotics and its effects on the immune system and on metabolism. The bacterium is present in all Cultura products in Sweden and Denmark.

Integrated Genomics is a world-leader within the field of microbiological DNA-research. Based in Chicago, the US company operates one of the market’s most advanced databases for the study for mikroorganisms’ hereditary material. The project will be implemented throughout 2007.