BIFIDOBACTERIUM LONGUM

1 - 19 . (canceled)

20 . A formulation comprising:

an isolated and purified Bifidobacterium longum strain, excluding Bifidobacterium longum strains

35624 (NUMB 41003);

BL1207 (PTA-9608);

AH121A (NCIMB 41675);

AH1714 (NCIMB 41676); and

AH1206 (NCIMB 41382);

wherein the strain:

a) expresses an exopolysaccharide containing 6-deoxy tallose; and

b)) comprises nucleic acid sequence SEQ ID NO. 86 or a nucleic acid sequence with at least 95% sequence homology thereto that codes for protein-tyrosine-phosphatase; and

an ingestible carrier.

21 . The formulation of claim 20 , wherein the Bifidobacterium longum strain comprises:

nucleic acid SEQ ID NO. 86 or a nucleic acid sequence with at least 95% sequence homology thereto;

nucleic acid SEQ ID NO. 62 or a nucleic acid sequence with at least 95% sequence homology thereto that codes for priming glycosyltransferase; and

at least one nucleic acid selected from the group consisting of nucleic acid SEQ ID NO. 65, SEQ ID NO. 66, SEQ ID NO. 69, SEQ ID NO. 72, SEQ ID NO. 74, and nucleic acid sequences with at least 95% sequence homology thereto that codes for glycosyltransferase.

22 . The formulation of claim 21 , wherein the Bifidobacterium longum strain comprises at least two nucleic acids selected from the group consisting of nucleic acid SEQ ID NO. 65, SEQ ID NO. 66, SEQ ID NO. 69, SEQ ID NO. 72, SEQ ID NO. 74, and nucleic acid sequences with at least 95% sequence homology thereto.

23 . The formulation of claim 21 , wherein the Bifidobacterium longum strain comprises at least three nucleic acids selected from the group consisting of nucleic acid SEQ ID NO. 65, SEQ ID NO. 66, SEQ ID NO. 69, SEQ ID NO. 72, SEQ ID NO. 74, and nucleic add sequences with at least 95% sequence homology thereto.

24 . The formulation of claim 21 , wherein the Bifidobacterium longum strain comprises at least four nucleic acids selected from the group consisting of nucleic acid SEQ ID NO. 65, SEQ ID NO. 66, SEQ ID NO. 69, SEQ ID NO. 72, SEQ ID NO. 74, and nucleic acid sequences with at least 95% sequence homology thereto.

25 . The formulation of claim 21 , wherein the Bifidobacterium longum strain comprises nucleic acid SEQ ID NO. 65, SEQ ID NO. 66, SEQ ID NO. 69, SEQ NO. 72, and SEQ ID NO. 74, or nucleic acid sequences with at least 95% sequence homology thereto.

26 . The formulation of claim 20 , wherein the Bifidobacterium longum strain comprises at least one nucleic acid selected from the group consisting of nucleic acid SEQ ID NO. 71, SEQ ID NO. 76, and nucleic acid sequences with at least 95% sequence homology thereto that codes for acyltransferase.

27 . The formulation of claim 20 , wherein the Bifidobacterium longum strain comprises nucleic acid SEQ ID NO. 71 and SEQ ID NO. 76 or nucleic acid sequences with at least 95% sequence homology thereto that codes for acyltransferase.

28 . The formulation of claim 20 , wherein the Bifidobacterium longum strain comprises viable cells.

29 . The formulation of claim 20 , wherein the ingestible carrier is a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or a food product.

30 . The formulation of claim 20 , wherein the formulation is in the form of a capsule, a tablet, a pellet, or a powder.

31 . A method for prophylaxis or treatment of an inflammatory activity, the method comprising administering to a subject an isolated and purified Bifidobacterium longum strain, excluding Bifidobacterium longum strains:

35624 (NCIMB 41003);

BL1207 (PTA-9608);

AH121A (NCIMB 41675);

AH1714 (NCIMB 41676); and

AH1206 (NCIMB 41382);

wherein the strain:

a) expresses an exopolysaccharide containing 6-deoxy tallose; and

b) comprises nucleic acid sequence SEQ II) NO. 86 or nucleic acid sequences with at least 95% sequence homology thereto that codes for protein-tyrosine-phosphatase.

32 . The method of claim 31 , wherein the inflammatory activity is selected from the group consisting of inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, pouchitis, post infection colitis, and combinations thereof.

33 . The method of claim 31 , wherein the Bifidobacterium longum strain comprises:

nucleic acid SEQ ID NO. 86 or a nucleic acid sequence with at least 95% sequence homology thereto;

nucleic acid SEQ ID NO. 62 or a nucleic acid sequence with at least 95% sequence homology thereto that codes for priming glycosyltransferase; and

at least one nucleic acid selected from the group consisting of nucleic acid, SEQ NO. 65, SEQ ID NO. 66, SEQ ID NO. 69, SEQ ID NO. 72, SEQ ID NO. 74, and nucleic acid sequences with at least 95% sequence homology thereto that codes for glycosyltransferase.

34 . The method of claim 33 , wherein the Bifidobacterium longum strain comprises at least two nucleic acids selected from the group consisting of nucleic acid SEQ ID NO. 65, SEQ ID NO. 66, SEQ ID NO. 69, SEQ ID NO. 72, SEQ ID NO. 74, and nucleic acid sequences with at least 95% sequence homology thereto.

35 . The method of claim 33 , wherein the Bifidobacterium longum strain comprises at least one nucleic add selected from the group consisting of nucleic add SEQ ID NO. 71, SEQ ID NO. 76, and nucleic acid sequences with at least 95% sequence homology thereto that codes for acyltransferase.

36 . A method for prophylaxis and/or treatment of autoimmune disorders due to inflammatory activity, the method comprising administering to a subject an isolated and purified Bifidobacterium longum strain, excluding Bifidobacterium longum strains:

35624 (NCIMB 41003);

BL1207 (PTA-9608);

AH121A (NCIMB 41675);

AH1714 (NCIMB 41676); and

AH1206 (NCIMB 41382)

wherein the strain

a) expresses an exopolysaccharide containing 6-deoxy tallose; and

b) comprises nucleic acid sequence SEQ ID NO. 86 or a nucleic acid sequence with at least 95% sequence homology thereto that codes for protein-tyrosine-phosphatase.

37 . The method of claim 36 , wherein the Bifidobacterium longum strain comprises:

nucleic acid SEQ ID NO. 86 or a nucleic acid sequence with at least 95% sequence homology thereto;

nucleic acid SEQ ID NO. 62 or a nucleic acid sequence with at least 95% sequence homology thereto that codes for priming glycosyltransferase; and

at least one nucleic acid selected from the group consisting of nucleic acid SEQ ID NO. 65, SEQ ID NO. 66, SEQ ID NO. 69, SEQ ID NO. 72, SEQ ID NO. 74, and nucleic acid sequences with at least 95% sequence homology thereto that codes for glycosyltransferase.

38 . The method of claim 37 , wherein the strain comprises at least two nucleic acids selected from the group consisting of nucleic acid SEQ ID NO. 65, SEQ ID NO. 66, SEQ ID NO. 69, SEQ ID NO. 72, SEQ ID NO. 74, and nucleic acid sequences with at least 95% sequence homology thereto.

39 . The method of claim 38 , wherein the Bifidobacterium longum strain comprises at least one nucleic add selected from the group consisting of nucleic add SEQ ID NO. 71, SEQ ID NO. 76, and nucleic acid sequences with at least 95% sequence homology thereto that codes for acyltransferase.