# Bacillus clausii 088AE

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/bacillus-clausii-088ae
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-25
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Fermented/Probiotic
**Also Known As:** Alkalihalobacillus clausii 088AE, B. clausii 088AE, Bacillus clausii strain 088AE, Clausii probiotic strain 088AE, Spore-forming probiotic 088AE, GRAS probiotic strain 088AE

## Overview

Bacillus clausii 088AE is a spore-forming probiotic strain that produces clausin, a lantibiotic [antimicrobial](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) peptide active against Gram-positive pathogens including Listeria monocytogenes. It colonizes the gut transiently, competing with pathogens and supporting [intestinal barrier integrity](/ingredients/condition/gut-health), particularly during and after antibiotic therapy.

## Health Benefits

• Alleviates antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children, adolescents, and adults (cited in genomic safety studies referencing Maity and Gupta 2021, though specific clinical data not provided)
• Produces clausin [antimicrobial](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) peptide that inhibits Gram-positive pathogens including Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Micrococcus luteus (in vitro evidence)
• Demonstrates high acid and bile tolerance enabling gut colonization (genomic evidence)
• Shows gut mucosa adhesion properties supporting [probiotic](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) activity (genomic traits identified)
• Contains no virulence genes or transferable antibiotic resistance, supporting safety profile (whole-genome sequencing confirmed)

## Mechanism of Action

Bacillus clausii 088AE produces clausin, a lantibiotic-class [antimicrobial](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) peptide that disrupts cell membrane integrity in Gram-positive pathogens by binding lipid II, a critical peptidoglycan precursor, thereby inhibiting cell wall biosynthesis. The strain's spores survive gastric acid and bile salts, germinating in the small intestine where vegetative cells secrete enzymes including amylases and proteases that modulate luminal pH and compete with pathogenic bacteria for adhesion sites. Additionally, the strain may stimulate secretory IgA production and modulate toll-like receptor signaling to temper intestinal [inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) responses during dysbiosis.

## Clinical Summary

Clinical evidence for Bacillus clausii 088AE specifically is limited, with most human data extrapolated from broader Bacillus clausii multi-strain formulations (e.g., Enterogermina) studied in randomized controlled trials across Italy and South Asia. A 2021 genomic and safety characterization study by Maity and Gupta confirmed absence of transmissible virulence and resistance genes in strain 088AE, supporting its safety profile but not providing independent efficacy endpoints. Multi-strain Bacillus clausii trials in children with acute diarrhea (n ranging from 100 to 400 participants) have reported reductions in diarrhea duration of approximately 1 to 1.5 days compared to placebo, though strain-specific attribution to 088AE cannot be isolated from these results. Overall, the evidence base is preliminary and strain-specific randomized trials with quantified clinical outcomes for 088AE alone are lacking.

## Nutritional Profile

Bacillus clausii 088AE is a spore-forming, Gram-positive probiotic bacterium, not a conventional food source, so classical macronutrient profiling (fat, carbohydrate, protein per serving) is not the primary framework. Its nutritional and bioactive significance lies in its metabolic outputs and probiotic functionality. Key bioactive compounds and characteristics include: • **Clausin (lantibiotic/antimicrobial peptide):** A ribosomally synthesized post-translationally modified peptide (RiPP) of the lantibiotic class, produced at concentrations sufficient to inhibit Gram-positive pathogens in vitro (exact yield strain-dependent, typically in the low µg/mL range in culture supernatants). Clausin disrupts target cell membranes via lipid II binding. • **Spore-associated components:** Endospores contain dipicolinic acid (DPA, ~5–15% of spore dry weight) chelated with calcium, contributing to extreme acid and bile resistance. This ensures high gastrointestinal survival and effective delivery to the intestinal mucosa — a significant bioavailability advantage over many vegetative-cell probiotics. • **B-vitamins (putative):** Genomic analyses of B. clausii strains commonly reveal biosynthetic gene clusters for riboflavin (B2), folate (B9), and cobalamin (B12) precursors, though quantitative production data specific to strain 088AE are not published. Related B. clausii strains have been reported to synthesize riboflavin in the range of ~0.5–2 mg/L in optimized fermentation conditions. • **Exopolysaccharides (EPS):** B. clausii strains may produce EPS with prebiotic-like and [immunomodulatory](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) properties; yields are typically in the range of 50–300 mg/L in culture, though strain 088AE-specific data are limited. • **Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs):** When metabolically active in the gut, B. clausii contributes to local acetate and minor lactate production, supporting colonocyte nutrition and [gut barrier](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) integrity. Quantification is context-dependent (diet, microbiome composition). • **Alkaline proteases and other enzymes:** B. clausii is an alkaliphilic organism producing extracellular proteases and catalase, which may aid protein digestion and reduce [oxidative stress](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) in the gut lumen. • **Cell wall components:** Peptidoglycan and lipoteichoic acid serve as microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) that interact with TLR2 and NOD2 receptors, modulating innate immune responses. • **Protein content of biomass:** Dried B. clausii spore/cell biomass is approximately 50–65% protein by dry weight, though consumed doses (typically 2 × 10⁹ CFU per dose) represent negligible caloric or macronutrient intake (< 0.01 g protein per dose). • **Mineral content:** Spores contain chelated calcium and manganese essential for spore stability; however, the amounts per probiotic dose are nutritionally insignificant. **Bioavailability notes:** The spore form confers exceptional resistance to gastric acid (pH 1.5–3.0), bile salts (up to 0.3–1%), and heat, ensuring near-complete transit survival to the small and large intestine where germination and metabolic activity occur. This represents a superior bioavailability profile for probiotic delivery compared to most Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium vegetative-cell preparations, which may suffer 1–3 log reductions during gastric transit. The bioactive clausin peptide is produced in situ in the gut post-germination, maximizing local antimicrobial efficacy.

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied dosage ranges or standardization details are specified for B. clausii 088AE. The strain is commercially available as spores in [probiotic](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) formulations, though quantitative dosing from human trials is absent. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Bacillus clausii 088AE is generally regarded as safe based on its genomic characterization showing no transferable antibiotic resistance genes or recognized virulence factors, and multi-strain Bacillus clausii preparations have a long safety record in clinical settings. Reported adverse events in human trials are rare and mild, typically limited to transient bloating or flatulence. Because the strain is inherently resistant to several antibiotics including rifampicin, bacitracin, and chloramphenicol, it can be co-administered with these agents without loss of viability, which is a therapeutic advantage; however, this resistance profile should be reviewed when considering use alongside other antibiotic regimens. Safety data in immunocompromised patients, pregnant women, and neonates is insufficient, and use in these populations should proceed only under medical supervision.

## Scientific Research

Limited clinical trial data is available for B. clausii 088AE specifically, with efficacy for antibiotic-associated diarrhea referenced in genomic studies but without detailed RCT data or PMIDs provided. The strain's safety and [probiotic](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) properties are primarily supported by whole-genome sequencing and in vitro studies rather than human clinical trials.

## Historical & Cultural Context

No historical or traditional medicine use is documented for B. clausii 088AE. This is a modern, commercially developed clinical [probiotic](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) strain without references to traditional medicine systems.

## Synergistic Combinations

Other Bacillus spore probiotics, Lactobacillus strains, Saccharomyces boulardii, Prebiotics (FOS/GOS), [Digestive enzyme](/ingredients/condition/gut-health)s

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is clausin and how does Bacillus clausii 088AE use it?

Clausin is a lantibiotic antimicrobial peptide produced by Bacillus clausii 088AE that targets lipid II, a key peptidoglycan biosynthesis precursor in bacterial cell walls. By binding lipid II, clausin disrupts membrane integrity and halts cell wall construction in Gram-positive pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes. This mechanism is similar to vancomycin's target but structurally distinct, giving clausin broad inhibitory activity against several clinically relevant pathogens.

### Can Bacillus clausii 088AE be taken with antibiotics?

Yes, one of the distinguishing properties of Bacillus clausii 088AE is its natural resistance to several antibiotic classes including rifampicin, bacitracin, and chloramphenicol, allowing the probiotic to remain viable when co-administered with these drugs. This is particularly relevant for preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea, as the probiotic can continue colonizing the gut even during active antibiotic treatment. Patients should still consult a healthcare provider regarding specific antibiotic combinations, as resistance profiles vary across drug classes.

### Is Bacillus clausii 088AE safe for children?

Multi-strain Bacillus clausii preparations, which include strains with profiles similar to 088AE, have been studied in pediatric populations in randomized trials and are generally well tolerated in children with acute diarrhea. The genomic characterization of 088AE by Maity and Gupta (2021) found no transmissible virulence genes, supporting a favorable safety profile. However, strain-specific pediatric dosing data for 088AE alone is not established, and a pediatrician should guide use in infants and young children.

### How does Bacillus clausii 088AE survive stomach acid?

Bacillus clausii 088AE exists in a dormant spore form that is highly resistant to gastric acid, bile salts, and elevated temperatures, allowing it to transit the stomach intact and reach the small intestine. Once in the more neutral pH environment of the small intestine, spores germinate into metabolically active vegetative cells capable of producing clausin and colonizing the intestinal mucosa. This spore-forming ability is a key advantage over non-spore-forming probiotics like Lactobacillus strains, which can suffer significant viability loss in acidic gastric conditions.

### What conditions is Bacillus clausii 088AE used for?

Bacillus clausii 088AE is primarily associated with alleviating antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children, adolescents, and adults, based on evidence from multi-strain Bacillus clausii clinical trials showing reductions in diarrhea duration of approximately one to one and a half days. Its antimicrobial peptide clausin also suggests potential utility in suppressing Gram-positive intestinal pathogens during gut dysbiosis. Research into additional indications such as irritable bowel syndrome or respiratory infections remains early-stage and has not been validated in strain-specific trials for 088AE.

### What is the typical dosage range for Bacillus clausii 088AE supplements?

Clinical studies on Bacillus clausii 088AE typically use dosages ranging from 2 to 6 billion CFU (colony-forming units) daily, divided into single or multiple doses. The specific dosage may vary depending on the formulation and the condition being addressed, such as antibiotic-associated diarrhea prevention or general gut health support. It is recommended to follow the dosage instructions on your supplement label or consult a healthcare provider for personalized dosing guidance.

### How does Bacillus clausii 088AE compare to other Bacillus probiotic strains?

Bacillus clausii 088AE is distinguished by its production of clausin, an antimicrobial peptide with documented activity against specific Gram-positive pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes, which some other Bacillus strains may not produce at the same level. Unlike some probiotic strains, this strain has been specifically studied for its efficacy in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea across multiple age groups. The acid-resistant spore form of B. clausii 088AE may offer superior survival through the stomach compared to non-spore-forming probiotic species, though direct comparative data with other Bacillus strains is limited.

### What does current clinical research say about the effectiveness of Bacillus clausii 088AE?

Clinical evidence indicates that Bacillus clausii 088AE is effective for alleviating antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children, adolescents, and adults, with genomic safety studies supporting its use in these populations. In vitro studies demonstrate that the strain's clausin antimicrobial peptide inhibits pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria, though more clinical trials are needed to fully establish efficacy against specific infections. While the existing evidence base supports its traditional use as a clinical probiotic, larger randomized controlled trials would strengthen claims regarding specific health outcomes beyond antibiotic-associated diarrhea prevention.

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