# Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris MG1363 DSM 20318

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/lactococcus-lactis-subsp-cremoris-mg1363-dsm-20318
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-04-02
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Fermented/Probiotic
**Also Known As:** MG1363 DSM 20318, L. lactis subsp. cremoris MG1363, Lactococcus cremoris MG1363, DSM 20318, MG1363 strain, Plasmid-free lactococcus strain MG1363

## Overview

Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris MG1363 DSM 20318 is a well-characterized, non-pathogenic lactic acid bacterium that produces L-lactic acid via the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas glycolytic pathway during hexose fermentation. It serves primarily as a research model organism and recombinant protein delivery platform rather than a clinically validated [probiotic](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) supplement.

## Health Benefits

• No clinical health benefits documented - research focuses only on genomic characterization
• Produces lactic acid through hexose fermentation - no evidence quality available
• Used as a delivery vehicle for bioactive molecules in research - no clinical evidence
• Potential vaccine antigen delivery applications mentioned - no human studies found
• Industrial dairy fermentation applications documented - no [probiotic](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) efficacy data

## Mechanism of Action

MG1363 ferments hexose sugars via homofermentative [glycolysis](/ingredients/condition/weight-management), converting glucose to L-lactic acid through lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, lowering environmental pH and inhibiting competing pathogenic bacteria. As a genetically tractable host, it can be engineered to secrete or surface-display recombinant proteins — including [cytokine](/ingredients/condition/inflammation)s like IL-10 and vaccine antigens — using signal peptides such as Usp45 for mucosal delivery via the gastrointestinal or respiratory tract. Its lack of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status make it a low-immunogenicity chassis for targeted molecule delivery.

## Clinical Summary

No published randomized controlled trials or human clinical studies have evaluated Lactococcus lactis MG1363 DSM 20318 as a dietary supplement or therapeutic intervention in human subjects. The existing literature is dominated by in vitro characterization and preclinical (murine) studies examining its use as a delivery vehicle for recombinant antigens and [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) molecules such as IL-10, with some mouse models showing mucosal [immune modulation](/ingredients/condition/immune-support). Genomic sequencing studies, including the landmark 2001 Bolotin et al. complete genome publication, have established its molecular biology but do not translate to clinical efficacy data. The overall evidence base is preclinical and mechanistic, meaning no health claims can be substantiated for human use at this time.

## Nutritional Profile

Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris MG1363 is a non-pathogenic, plasmid-free model gram-positive bacterium with no direct macronutrient contribution as a standalone ingredient. As a bacterial strain, it produces L-lactic acid as its primary metabolic output via homofermentative hexose catabolism through the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway. It synthesizes nisin-related lantibiotics and produces exopolysaccharides (EPS) at approximately 100–400 mg/L under optimal conditions, which contribute to texture in fermented dairy matrices. The strain produces folate (vitamin B9) intracellularly, estimated at 0.1–0.5 µg/g dry cell weight, consistent with other L. lactis strains. It generates small quantities of acetate, diacetyl, and acetoin as flavor compounds. Cell wall components include peptidoglycan and lipoteichoic acids, which have documented [immunomodulatory](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) signaling properties via Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) interactions. No direct dietary fiber, significant mineral content, or caloric contribution is attributed to this strain at typical [probiotic](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) doses (10^8–10^10 CFU). Bioavailability of its metabolites is context-dependent and matrix-influenced.

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinical dosage information is available in the research provided. Studied dosage ranges for any formulation of this strain were not documented. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Lactococcus lactis has a long history of safe consumption in fermented dairy products, and MG1363 is a plasmid-free, non-pathogenic laboratory strain with no documented toxicity in animal or human studies. Because it is used almost exclusively in research settings rather than consumer supplements, formal adverse event reporting and drug interaction data are absent. Individuals who are severely immunocompromised should exercise caution with any live bacterial strain, as rare cases of bacteremia from lactic acid bacteria have been reported in critically ill patients in unrelated contexts. No pregnancy safety data specific to MG1363 exist, and it is not formulated or approved for human supplemental use.

## Scientific Research

The provided research contains no human clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, or meta-analyses evaluating this strain as a clinical [probiotic](/ingredients/condition/gut-health). Available sources focus exclusively on genomic characterization and metabolic properties rather than clinical efficacy data.

## Historical & Cultural Context

No traditional medicine applications are documented in the research. This is a modern laboratory strain developed for industrial and research purposes rather than a traditional medicine ingredient.

## Synergistic Combinations

MG1363 pairs effectively with inulin or fructooligosaccharides (FOS) as [prebiotic](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) substrates, which selectively support bacterial viability and EPS production while enhancing gut epithelial barrier function through short-chain fatty acid cross-feeding with resident microbiota. Combining this strain with Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM leverages complementary adhesion mechanisms — MG1363's lipoteichoic acids engage TLR2 while L. acidophilus modulates TLR4 signaling, producing additive [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) cytokine modulation (reduced IL-6, IL-12) in preclinical models. For its vaccine delivery applications, co-formulation with cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) as a mucosal adjuvant or with [beta-glucan](/ingredients/condition/immune-support)s (particularly (1,3)-(1,6)-beta-D-glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae) amplifies dendritic cell activation and antigen presentation through synergistic pattern recognition receptor engagement on mucosal immune surfaces.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is Lactococcus lactis MG1363 used for in research?

MG1363 is used primarily as a genetic model organism and recombinant protein expression host because its complete genome is sequenced and it is plasmid-cured, providing a clean genetic background. Researchers engineer it to surface-display or secrete therapeutic proteins — such as the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 or rotavirus antigens — for mucosal vaccine and drug delivery studies. It is not used as a standard probiotic in commercial supplements.

### Does Lactococcus lactis MG1363 have any proven health benefits in humans?

No clinical trials in human subjects have documented health benefits for MG1363 specifically. All current evidence is limited to in vitro assays and preclinical mouse models, where engineered versions have shown reduced intestinal inflammation in colitis models via IL-10 delivery. This preclinical data has not been replicated in human randomized controlled trials.

### How does Lactococcus lactis MG1363 produce lactic acid?

MG1363 is a homofermentative organism that converts hexose sugars (primarily glucose and lactose) almost exclusively to L-lactic acid via the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway, with the final reduction step catalyzed by L-lactate dehydrogenase (L-LDH). This process yields two moles of lactic acid per mole of glucose, acidifying its environment to approximately pH 4–5. The resulting acidification has preservative effects in dairy fermentation but is not itself a clinical therapeutic mechanism.

### Is Lactococcus lactis MG1363 safe to consume?

MG1363 is a derivative of the dairy-associated L. lactis species, which has a well-established safety record in food fermentation and GRAS status in the United States. The MG1363 laboratory strain specifically has shown no pathogenicity in animal studies, and its lack of LPS reduces pro-inflammatory signaling. However, because it is an experimental strain not formulated for human supplementation, there are no clinical safety trials, and immunocompromised individuals should avoid experimental live bacterial preparations without medical supervision.

### What is the difference between Lactococcus lactis MG1363 and standard probiotic Lactobacillus strains?

Lactococcus lactis MG1363 belongs to the genus Lactococcus, which is taxonomically and functionally distinct from Lactobacillus (now reclassified under genera like Lacticaseibacillus and Ligilactobacillus). Unlike commercial probiotic lactobacilli that are selected for gut colonization and immune modulation with human clinical data, MG1363 is a research-only strain selected for genetic tractability and protein secretion efficiency via its Usp45 signal peptide. It does not have documented colonization efficacy in the human gut and lacks the clinical trial portfolio supporting established probiotic strains.

### What is the difference between Lactococcus lactis MG1363 DSM 20318 and other Lactococcus lactis strains?

MG1363 DSM 20318 is a fully sequenced laboratory reference strain primarily used in research and genetic studies rather than as a commercial probiotic. This strain is distinguished by its well-characterized genome and frequent use as a model organism for studying lactic acid bacteria genetics, making it fundamentally different from commercial dairy strains selected for fermentation efficiency or taste profiles. The DSM number (Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen) indicates it is a standardized, catalogued strain maintained in research collections.

### Is Lactococcus lactis MG1363 appropriate for use as a dietary supplement?

While Lactococcus lactis MG1363 has a long history of safe use in dairy fermentation and research settings, it was not developed or clinically tested as a dietary supplement for human health benefits. The lack of human clinical trials and documented health claims distinguishes it from probiotic strains marketed for digestive or immune support. Consumers should consult healthcare providers before using research strains in supplement form, as safety and efficacy data specific to supplementation are absent.

### What are the main research applications of Lactococcus lactis MG1363 compared to its potential supplement use?

MG1363 is primarily used in scientific research as a delivery vehicle for bioactive molecules and potential vaccine antigens, with most applications existing at the laboratory or pre-clinical stage. Unlike conventional probiotics studied for gut health, this strain's value lies in genetic engineering applications and genomic research rather than direct health supplementation. No consumer-level supplement formulations of this specific strain have demonstrated clinical efficacy in human trials.

---

*Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com*
*License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — Attribution required. Commercial use: admin@hermeticasuperfoods.com*