About TWK10

One strain for muscle health — proven as both a probiotic and a postbiotic.


TWK10® (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TWK10) is a patented probiotic strain isolated from traditional Taiwanese fermented cabbage. It is supplied in both live (probiotic) and heat-killed (postbiotic) forms and is studied primarily for muscle health, exercise performance and age-related muscle maintenance, through the gut–muscle axis.

 

 

Origin and identification

TWK10® was isolated from traditional Taiwanese fermented cabbage and selected from a panel of lactic-acid-bacteria candidates. Originally designated Lactobacillus plantarum TWK10, it was reclassified as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum under the 2020 taxonomic revision; both names refer to the same strain. Its genome has been fully sequenced and characterized.


Two forms, both clinically studied

TWK10® is supplied as a live probiotic and as a heat-killed postbiotic. Both forms have been evaluated in human clinical trials for exercise performance and body composition — a completeness few single strains offer. Typical daily amounts are 10 billion CFU (live) and 30 billion cells (postbiotic); final intake follows product labelling.


Research and recognition

TWK10® is supported by 27 peer-reviewed publications since 2012, including 9 human clinical trials, and holds multiple patents and 19 international awards.


Scientific Publications →

Awards & Recognition →

 

Applications

TWK10® is a clinically studied probiotic strain targeting skeletal muscle health through the gut–muscle axis. While initially recognized for improving exercise performance, emerging evidence supports broader applications spanning healthy aging, GLP-1 companion nutrition, and women's health. This shared biological pathway enables one scientifically validated strain to support multiple product concepts across different life stages and market segments.

 

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References

  1. Huang W-C, Lee M-C, Lee C-C, Ng K-S, Hsu Y-J, Tsai T-Y, Young S-L, Lin J-S, Huang C-C. (2019). Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum TWK10 on Exercise Physiological Adaptation, Performance, and Body Composition in Healthy Humans. Nutrients 11(11):2836. DOI: 10.3390/nu11112836
  2. Lee C-C, Liao Y-C, Lee M-C, Cheng Y-C, Chiou S-Y, Lin J-S, Huang C-C, Watanabe K. (2022). Different Impacts of Heat-Killed and Viable Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TWK10 on Exercise Performance, Fatigue, Body Composition, and Gut Microbiota in Humans. Microorganisms 10(11):2181. DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10112181
  3. Hsu H-Y, Liao Y-C, Lin S-H, Lin J-S, Lee C-C, Watanabe K. (2022). Safety Assessment of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TWK10 Based on Whole-Genome Sequencing, Phenotypic, and Oral Toxicity Analysis. Microorganisms 10(4):784. DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10040784
  4. Patent and certification list — official documentation to be supplied.