Some of the most promising strains for gut health, microbiome therapeutics, and bioprocessing — like Akkermansia and Bifidobacterium — are strict anaerobes. For these organisms, even just a few minutes of exposure to oxygen can kill them or alter their growth in ways that make testing inconsistent. They are powerful, delicate, and incredibly important for the future of human health, but they can be a nightmare to handle in a standard lab.

For innovators developing next-generation microbe-based products, this creates a high-stakes challenge: how do you get the reliable data you need when the organism itself fights against being studied in a normal environment?

Case Example: Probiotics Manufacturer

One of our Biolog Lab Services (BLS) clients faced exactly this issue. Their new probiotic formula featured an obligate anaerobe at its core. The science was strong, and the market opportunity was exciting, but their testing results were all over the place:

  • Enumeration results swung from too low one week to inflated the next
  • ID testing returned conflicting results
  • Internal teams began to lose confidence in the data

Without trustworthy results, their launch was at risk. In today’s regulatory and commercial environment, inconsistent data isn’t just inconvenient — it can halt an otherwise groundbreaking product.

That’s where outsourcing to Biolog Lab Services came in. Leveraging our best-in-class anaerobic chamber, we provided the oxygen-free conditions these organisms require to thrive, and paired this controlled environment with:

  • Custom enriched media formulated specifically for anaerobes, enabling accurate growth and recovery
  • ISO-accredited workflows for sequencing/MALDI-TOF ID, delivering results that stand up to regulatory scrutiny
  • Enumeration ensures accurate microbial counts, to power your decision-making
  • Phenotypic characterization tools that reveal how strains behave under real-world conditions, beyond just confirming their identity

Within weeks, the client had what they had been missing: reliable counts, confirmed IDs, and deeper insight into their strain. Their launch went from risky to rock-solid, backed by both scientific proof and a marketing story grounded in data.

Why Anaerobic Testing Matters Now More Than Ever

This client’s story is not unique. Strict anaerobes are moving from research into commercialization across many industries. While probiotics are a primary driver, anaerobic testing has broad applications in:

  • Microbiome therapeutics (e.g. developing live biotherapeutics)
  • Agriculture (e.g. developing novel solutions for animal health and soil enrichment)
  • Food safety testing
  • Post-market surveillance: Ensuring product stability and consistency after launch

Regulators expect precision. Investors expect validation. Consumers expect efficacy. Without proper handling and testing, even the most promising strains can be derailed by unreliable data. Common pitfalls include:

  • Oxygen exposure during sample handling and transport
  • Use of generic media that fails to support anaerobic growth
  • Non-accredited workflows that produce data that regulators may not accept

By addressing all three challenges, Biolog Lab Services helps innovators keep their programs on track.

Leading the Way in Oxygen-Free Innovation

Wherever oxygen-sensitive organisms play a role, Biolog provides the expertise and infrastructure to support success.

For us, this project was more than just a client win. It was a perfect example of why anaerobic testing is essential for the next wave of innovation in human health. From identification and enumeration to full phenotypic characterization, this case shines a spotlight on organisms that have been left in the dark for too long.

With our anaerobic chambers, enriched media, and ISO-accredited workflows, outsourcing to Biolog Lab Services is the go-to lab for innovators who refuse to let oxygen limit their progress.

Because in the world of probiotics and beyond, oxygen may be the enemy, but with the right partner, it doesn’t have to stop you from breaking new ground.

Ready to put your strict anaerobes to the test?

Learn more about our anaerobic testing services and contact our team today to discuss your project.