Minoru Shirota

Dr. Minoru Shirota (代田稔 April 23, 1899 - March 10, 1982) was the inventor of Yakult, the yogurt-like probiotic drink containing Lactobacillus casei strain shirota. In 1930, Dr. Minoru Shirota, working in a microbiology lab at Kyoto Imperial University's School of Medicine, 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.

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It was 1921 when Minoru Shirota was admitted to university to study medicine. In those days, Japan was not a wealthy nation, and many children lost their lives to infectious diseases and other maladies brought on by malnutrition. Deeply concerned about these conditions, Shirota was determined, while still a medical student, that he would focus his efforts on preventive medicine, and turned his attention to the study of microorganisms. He developed a stronger strain of lactic acid bacteria which would work to destroy the harmful bacteria living in the intestines, and therefore improve and maintain the health of human beings. 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 Shirota. This led to the development of Yakult, a fermented milk drink, which was introduced to the market in 1935.