Minoru Shirota

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Minoru Shirota (代田稔, Shirota Minoru, April 23, 1899 – March 10, 1982) was a Japanese scientist. He was the inventor of Yakult, the yogurt-like probiotic drink containing Lactobacillus casei strain shirota.

Career

Inspired by the writings of Ilya Ilyich Mechnikov, Shirota developed a stronger strain of lactic acid bacteria which might work to destroy the harmful bacteria living in the intestines, and therefore improve and maintain the health of human beings.^{[citation needed]} In 1930, Shirota was working in a microbiology lab at Kyoto Imperial University's School of Medicine when he became the first in the world to succeed in culturing a strain of lactic acid bacteria beneficial to human health. This bacterium was named Lactobacillus casei strain shirota after Shirota.^[1]

The result of his efforts was the successful culturing of Lactobacillus casei strain shirota. Shirota then began working together with supporters to make a drink incorporating the strain. This led to the development of Yakult which was introduced to the market in 1935.

Personal life

He died in Tokyo, Japan in 1982.

Notes

↑ Company profile/philosophy at Yakult's website

Persondata
Name	Shirota, Minoru
Alternative names
Short description	Inventor
Date of birth	1889
Place of birth
Date of death	1982
Place of death

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