Abstract
Probiotics are commonly defined as mono or mixed cultures of live microbes that when applied to an animal or human, posses a beneficial effect on the health of host possibly by improving the balance of the indigenous microflora. The field of probiosis has emerged as a new science with applications in farming and aquaculture as alternatives to antibiotics as well as prophylactics in humans. Probiotics are being developed commercially for both human uses, primarily as novel foods or dietary supplements and in animal feeds for the prevention of gastrointestinal infections, with extensive use in the poultry and aquaculture industries. This review summarizes the commercial applications of probiotics.