<;P>;PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a microorganism which has good adhesiveness and fixability to digestive tracts, has effects for preventing and treating diarrhea and colic, has probiotic effects such as a stress-reducing effect, and has an ability for producing dihydrodaidzein and/or equol. <;P>;SOLUTION: Provided is genus Sharpea microorganisms exhibiting the following mycological natures having a stress-reducing action: (1) form of the bacteria: bacillus; (2) mobility: nothing; (3) sporulation: nothing; (4) Gram stainability: positive; (5) catalase reaction: negative; (6) attitude against oxygen: absolute anaerobic; (7) G+C content: 36 to 38 mol%. <;P>;COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT