As a promising probiotic strain, Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) has been demonstrated to confer beneficial effects on intestinal health, immune function, and pathogen prevention. Additionally, EcN has also been widely studied due to its clear genomic information, tractable gene regulation, and simple growth conditions. This review summarizes the various applications potential of EcN in food science and nutrition, including inflammation prevention, tumor-targeting therapy, antibacterial agents for food, and nutrient production with a focus on specific case studies. Moreover, we highlight the major challenges of employing EcN in food science and nutrition, including regulatory approval, stability during food processing, and consumer acceptance. Finally, we conclude with a discussion on perspectives related to employing EcN in food science and nutrition.
Keywords: Antimicrobial agents; Escherichia coli Nissle 1917; inflammation prevention; nutrient production; probiotics; tumor-targeting therapy.