From Benchtop to Brand: Utilizing Probiotic Reference Materials for Quality Control

Poster

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ASM Microbe 2026

Washington, DC, United States

June 06, 2026

Abstract

Probiotic research and development depends on well-characterized reference materials to support accurate identification, safety assessment, and potency evaluation of microbial strains. Here, we describe a curated collection of authenticated, low-passage Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species isolated from food that are suitable for use as standardized controls for taxonomic verification, viability, stability studies, and strain-level genomic analyses. These reference materials are supported by comprehensive metadata, including publicly available whole-genome sequencing data.

Beyond routine quality control, these strains enable reproducible scientific investigations into strain performance, host interactions, and formulation stability. Their defined characteristics enable researchers to develop reproducible methods, compare strain-specific traits, and explore applications through evidence-based approaches.

Download the poster to explore a curated collection of low-passage strains for probiotic research

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Presenter

Shahin Ali, PhD

Senior Scientist, Collections, ATCC

Dr. Ali is a Senior Scientist at ATCC with over 13 years of experience in the field of fungal biology and plant-pathogen interactions. Before joining ATCC, Dr. Ali worked for the USDA-ARS at Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Maryland. He obtained his PhD from University College Dublin, Ireland.

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