About Minoru Shirota
Minoru Shirota (代田 稔, Shirota Minoru; 23 April 23, 1899 – 10 March 1982) was a Japanese microbiologist who made pioneering research on gut microbiota and developed the first commercial probiotic. In the 1930, he identified a strain of lactic acid bacteria that is part of normal gut flora that he originally called Lactobacillus casei Shirota, which appeared to help contain the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut. The species was later reclassified as Lactobacillus paracasei. Using his novel bacterium, Shirota produced the first probiotic yogurt, named Yakult in 1935. The commercial success of the beverage led to the establishment of the company Yakult Honsha and its subsidiary research organisation Yakult Central Institute in 1935. He founded the company Yakult Honsha in 1935 to sell beverages containing the strain branded Yakult. Minoru Shirota (代田 稔, Shirota Minoru; April 23, 1899 – March 10, 1982) was a Japanese microbiologist. In the 1930 Shirota identified a strain of lactic acid bacteria that is part of normal gut flora that he originally called Lactobacillus casei Shirota, which appeared to help contain the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut. The strain was later reclassified as Lactobacillus paracasei Shirota.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.