Intestinal microbiota research began around the end of the 19th century. The work continued at a slow pace during the first half of the 20th century.During the last 5 decades of the 20th century research into microbiota made rapid progress through: (1) the development of the culture method of intestinal microbiota; (2) the establishment of classification and identification of intestinal anaerobes; (3) the discovery of a number of ecological rules of intestinal microbiota; and (4) the elucidation of the role of intestinal microbiota in human health. In 1980, a new interdisciplinary field “intestinal bacteriology” was established. Based on the research results of intestinal bacteriology, functional foods such as probiotics, prebiotics and biogenics have been developed.The 1980s saw the beginning of research into immunostimulation by intestinal bacteria, the application of molecular and genetic methods in research into intestinal microbiota, and the investigation of mechanisms by which the biota influences the host.

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