Filipino fermented foods have long been known to contain bacteria that offer health benefits, also known as probiotics. burong isda (traditional fermented fish) from Pampanga contains a bacterium called Limosilactobacillus fermentum (L. fermentum), which is closely related to the well-known Lactobacillus probiotics. Researchers from the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) combined genomic and laboratory analyses to provide a comprehensive probiotic profile of two L. fermentum strains in burong isda. Their multidimensional approach also revealed the strains’ antifungal benefits against Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus). Their study not only lays the groundwork for developing new probiotic products but is also possibly the first to report the antifungal effects of L. fermentum against A. fumigatus.

UP study reveals insights on benefits of bacteria in burong isda. (2025, June 25). The Manila Times, p. B9.