1. Probiotic bacteria : from science to consumer's benefit / Manuela M. Pintado, Ana M. Gomes, and Ana C. Freitas -- 2. Gastrointestinal tract : microflora and transit aspects / Ana M. Gomes, Manuela M. Pintado, Ana C. Freitas, and J. Paulo Sousa e Silva -- 3. Probiotics and their therapeutic role / Manuela M. Pintado, Ana M. Gomes, and Ana C. Freitas -- 4. Food as vehicles of probiotics / Ana C. Freitas, Dina Rodrigues, Sergio Sousa, Ana M. Gomes, and Manuela M. Pintado -- 5. Immobilization and microencapsulation of probiotics / Paulo J.C. Costa, Teresa Rocha-Santos, Ana M. Gomes, Manuela M. Pintado, Sergio Sousa, Maria H. Amaral, J. Paulo Sousa e Silva, and Ana C. Freitas -- 6. Development of probiotic dosage forms / Maria H. Amaral, J. Paulo Sousa e Silva, Paulo J.C. Costa, and Ana M. Gomes -- 7. Guidelines and regulations / J. Paulo Sousa e Silva and Ana M. Gomes.