Study highlights benefits of probiotic food for gut health

An event unveiling the findings of a clinical trial titled 'Effect of Karkuma BioComfort (a formulated probiotic food product) on gut health' was held on Thursday, 22 January 2026 at the conference room of the Centre for Advanced Research in Sciences (CARS), University of Dhaka.

The event was organised by the Department of Food Technology and Nutritional Science of Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University. Professor Dr Hossain Uddin Shekhar, vice-chancellor of Gopalganj Science and Technology University, attended as chief guest, while the session was chaired by Professor Dr Md Anwarul Azim Akhand, vice-chancellor of Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University.

Academics, researchers, physicians and journalists from the University of Dhaka, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), Bangladesh Institution of Food Professionals and other institutions were present.

Speakers discussed the evolution of probiotics, their use as functional foods, health benefits and the regulatory frameworks governing probiotic-related commercial activities at national and international levels.

In his address, Professor Dr Hossain Uddin Shekhar noted that countries such as Japan, the United States and several European nations are actively promoting functional foods to improve public health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Renowned nutrition scientist Dr Jeba Mahmud highlighted the role of probiotics in managing gastrointestinal problems, particularly among children.

Chairing the session, Professor Dr Md Anwarul Azim Akhand said Bangladesh should advance research, formulation and processing of health-promoting foods through stronger collaboration between universities and industry, following the example of developed countries.

Providing background to the research, Arun Kumar Mondal, executive director of Organic Nutrition Limited, said modern lifestyles, irregular eating habits, excessive consumption of fried food and rising mental stress are disrupting gastrointestinal health.

'As a result, acidity, indigestion, bloating, gas and constipation have become common household problems,' he said, adding that long-term reliance on synthetic gastric medicines has raised health concerns.

He cited a 2019 study published in a journal under the US National Institutes of Health, which reported that prolonged use of proton pump inhibitors increases the risk of gastric cancer. He also referred to a 2022 press conference by Bangladeshi physicians and professors warning of similar risks.

Against this backdrop, Organic Nutrition Limited explored whether a scientifically proven and safe food-based solution could help address gastrointestinal problems. The company selected the heat-resistant probiotic strain Bacillus coagulans SANK 70258, originally discovered in Japan, and initiated a clinical trial under the supervision of scientists from Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University.

The principal investigator of the study, Professor Dr A K Obaidul Haque of the Department of Food Technology and Nutritional Science, explained that Karkuma BioComfort is formulated using the probiotic Bacillus coagulans and the prebiotic fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS).

He said the probiotic strain is capable of surviving gastric acid conditions and high temperatures, and was recognised as safe for use as a food ingredient by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2016.

The clinical trial involved individuals suffering from gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome-related symptoms, including acidity, heartburn, bloating, indigestion, constipation and diarrhoea. Participants were instructed to take one capsule in the morning and one at night, with data collected throughout the study period.

According to the findings, Karkuma BioComfort significantly reduced both the severity and frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms.

Safety assessments conducted by the Institute of Food Science and Technology at BCSIR and the Department of Food Technology and Nutritional Science at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University found no heavy metals, aflatoxins or disease-causing micro-organisms in the product.

Researchers concluded that Karkuma BioComfort is a safe and effective probiotic food product with the potential to improve gastrointestinal health. The product used in the trial was manufactured at Organic Nutrition Limited's factory, which is GMP and ISO certified, USDA Organic certified and registered with the US Food and Drug Administration.