Growth and Viability of Commercial Bifidobacterium spp in Skim Milk Containing Oligosaccharides and Inulin

Investigating the potential of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) juice in the development of organic apple-based snacks

This study investigates the potential of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) juice for the development of prebiotic-rich organic apple-based snacks. Yacon syrup, primarily composed of fructan, inulin, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and free sugars, represents a promising nutraceutical product. Its great potential in food processing, particularly as an innovative source of prebiotics, has been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo since it is fermented specifically by lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. Our objective was to explore the feasibility of employing vacuum impregnation process to incorporate yacon juice into organic apples, followed by hot air drying for the formulation of dried organic apple-based snacks with health-enhancing attributes. We assessed the prebiotic and physicochemical characteristics of the impregnated snacks, also considering 50 days of storage at room temperature. Vacuum impregnation and air drying produced dried apple slices impregnated with yacon juice with good quality and stability. Higher levels of fructan (16-fold difference compared to non-impregnated apples) in the apple slices increased their prebiotic potential, promoting the growth and viability of cells within simulated intestinal fluid, including strains of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB -12, Bifidobacterium breve DSM 20091, Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis DSM 20088, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus C112, even after prolonged storage. Remarkably, the physicochemical parameters of the impregnated and dried apple slices remained nearly constant and akin to the control samples. Therefore, the combination of vacuum impregnation and air drying has the potential to be used to produce enriched prebiotic organic apple snacks, providing consumers with additional health benefits, including enhanced gut health, with its associated implications, and increased satiety. This innovation could contribute to the development of health-promoting food products with improved nutritional profiles.

Reviewing the potential of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics: advancements in treatment of ulcerative colitis

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis (UC) are multifactorial pathologies caused by environmental factors and genetic background. UC is a chronic inflammatory disorder that specifically targets the colon, resulting in inflammation. Various chemical interventions, including aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and biological therapies, have been extensively employed for the purpose of managing symptoms associated with UC. Nevertheless, it is important to note that these therapeutic interventions may give rise to undesirable consequences, including, but not limited to, the potential for weight gain, fluid retention, and heightened vulnerability to infections. Emerging therapeutic approaches for UC are costly due to their chronic nature. Alternatives like synbiotic therapy, combining prebiotics and probiotics, have gained attention for mitigating dysbiosis in UC patients. Prebiotics promote beneficial bacteria proliferation, while probiotics establish a balanced gut microbiota and regulate immune system functionality. The utilisation of synbiotics has been shown to improve the inflammatory response and promote the resolution of symptoms in individuals with UC through the stimulation of beneficial bacteria growth and the enhancement of intestinal barrier integrity. Hence, this review article aims to explore the potential benefits and underlying reasons for incorporating alternative approaches in the management of UC with studies performed using prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics to treat ulcerative colitis and to highlight safety and considerations in UC and future perspectives. This will facilitate the utilisation of novel treatment strategies for the safer and more efficacious management of patients with UC.

Optimization of Mixed Inulin, Fructooligosaccharides, and Galactooligosaccharides as Prebiotics for Stimulation of Probiotics Growth and Function

Prebiotics have become an important functional food because of their potential for modulating the gut microbiota and metabolic activities. However, different prebiotics can stimulate the growth of different probiotics. The optimization of prebiotics was focused on in this study in order to stimulate the representative probiotics' growth (Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (previously Lactobacillus rhamnosus) and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis) and their function. The culture medium was supplemented with three prebiotics, including inulin (INU), fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and galactooligosaccharides (GOS). All prebiotics can clearly stimulate the growth of probiotic strains in both monoculture and co-culture. The specific growth rates of L. rhamnosus and B. animalis subsp. lactis were shown in GOS (0.019 h^-1) and FOS (0.023 h^-1), respectively. The prebiotic index (PI) scores of INU (1.03), FOS (0.86), and GOS (0.84) in co-culture at 48 h were significantly higher than the control (glucose). The mixture of prebiotics to achieve high quality was optimized using the Box-Behnken design. The optimum prebiotic ratios of INU, FOS, and GOS were 1.33, 2.00, and 2.67% w/v, respectively, with the highest stimulated growth of probiotic strains occurring with the highest PI score (1.03) and total short chain fatty acid concentration (85.55 µmol/mL). The suitable ratio of mixed prebiotics will function as a potential ingredient for functional foods or colonic foods.

Growth and survival of Bifidobacterium breve and Bifidobacterium longum in various sugar systems with fructooligosaccharide supplementation

This study aims to investigate the effect of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) (0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 4%) supplementation on the growth and survival of Bifidobacterium breve and Bifidobacterium longum in glucose, fructose, lactose, and sucrose (2, 3, and 4%) systems with 24-h growth and 10-day survival assays at 37 °C. FOS supplementation showed a higher growth-promoting effect on B. longum than B. breve in various sugar systems. The highest percentage of increase in growth index, 78.5%, was observed with 4% sucrose supplemented with 0.5% FOS in B. longum. In comparison, the highest percentage increase in growth index, 5.6 and 6.6%, was observed in the presence of 2% glucose and 4% lactose supplemented with 0.5% FOS in B. breve. In survival assay, FOS supplementation (0.5–4%) in a 2% lactose system showed the highest positive effect on the cell viability of B. longum on day-10. As for B. breve, FOS supplementation (1 and 2%) in the 2% sucrose system showed the highest positive effect on the cell viability, followed by FOS supplementation (0.5, 3, and 4%) in 2% sucrose and FOS supplementation (3 and 4%) in 2% lactose on day-10. This study demonstrated that the efficacy of FOS supplementation was depended on its concentration, sugar system and its concentration, and Bifidobacterium strain.

Probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics: Safe options for next-generation therapeutics

Abstract

Probiotics have been considered as an economical and safe alternative for the treatment of a large number of chronic diseases and improvement of human health. They are known to modulate the host immunity and protect from several infectious and non-infectious diseases. The colonization, killing of pathogens and induction of host cells are few of the important probiotic attributes which affect several functions of the host. In addition, prebiotics and non-digestible food substances selectively promote the growth of probiotics and human health through nutrient enrichment, and modulation of gut microbiota and immune system. This review highlights the role of probiotics and prebiotics alone and in combination (synbiotics) in the modulation of immune system, treatment of infections, management of inflammatory bowel disease and cancer therapy.

Key points

• Probiotics and their derivatives against several human diseases.

• Prebiotics feed probiotics and induce several functions in the host.

• Discovery of novel and biosafe products needs attention for human health.

Probiotics in Food Systems: Significance and Emerging Strategies Towards Improved Viability and Delivery of Enhanced Beneficial Value

Preserving the efficacy of probiotic bacteria exhibits paramount challenges that need to be addressed during the development of functional food products. Several factors have been claimed to be responsible for reducing the viability of probiotics including matrix acidity, level of oxygen in products, presence of other lactic acid bacteria, and sensitivity to metabolites produced by other competing bacteria. Several approaches are undertaken to improve and sustain microbial cell viability, like strain selection, immobilization technologies, synbiotics development etc. Among them, cell immobilization in various carriers, including composite carrier matrix systems has recently attracted interest targeting to protect probiotics from different types of environmental stress (e.g., pH and heat treatments). Likewise, to successfully deliver the probiotics in the large intestine, cells must survive food processing and storage, and withstand the stress conditions encountered in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Hence, the appropriate selection of probiotics and their effective delivery remains a technological challenge with special focus on sustaining the viability of the probiotic culture in the formulated product. Development of synbiotic combinations exhibits another approach of functional food to stimulate the growth of probiotics. The aim of the current review is to summarize the strategies and the novel techniques adopted to enhance the viability of probiotics.

Fed-batch operation for the synthesis of lactulose with β-galactosidase of Aspergillus oryzae

Fed-batch synthesis of lactulose from lactose and fructose with Aspergillus oryzae β-galactosidase was evaluated, obtaining a concentration of 40.4g·L^-1, which is 20% higher than obtained in batch, while the concentration of transgalactosylated oligosaccharides (TOS) was reduced by 98%. Therefore, selectivity of lactulose synthesis can be significantly higher by operating in fed-batch mode. The enzyme-limiting substrate mass ratio (E/S) is a critical variable in fed-batch operation. Higher values favor lactose hydrolysis over transgalactosylation, being 400IU/g the limit for proper lactulose synthesis in fed-batch operation. Selectivity of lactulose synthesis increased with E/S being quite high at 800IU_H·g^-1 or higher. However, this increase was obtained at the expense of lactulose yield. Lactulose synthesis in fed-batch operation was a better option than conventional batch synthesis, since higher product concentration and selectivity of lactulose over TOS synthesis were obtained.

Probiotics, prebiotics, and microencapsulation: A review

The development of a suitable technology for the production of probiotics is a key research for industrial production, which should take into account the viability and the stability of the organisms involved. Microbial criteria, stress tolerance during processing, and storage of the product constitute the basis for the production of probiotics. Generally, the bacteria belonging to the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have been used as probiotics. Based on their positive qualities, probiotic bacteria are widely used in the production of food. Interest in the incorporation of the probiotic bacteria into other products apart from dairy products has been increasing and represents a great challenge. The recognition of dose delivery systems for probiotic bacteria has also resulted in research efforts aimed at developing probiotic food outside the dairy sector. Producing probiotic juices has been considered more in the recent years, due to an increased concern in personal health of consumers. This review focuses on probiotics, prebiotics, and the microencapsulation of living cells.

Optimisation of medium composition for probiotic biomass production using response surface methodology

This study was aimed to optimise lactose, inulin and yeast extract concentration and also culture pH for maximising the growth of a probiotic bacterium,Bifidobacterium animalissubsp.lactisin apple juice and to assess the effects of these factors by using response surface methodology. A second-order central composite design was applied to evaluate the effects of these independent variables on growth of the microorganism. A polynomial regression model with cubic and quadratic terms was used for analysis of the experimental data. It was found that the effects involving inulin, yeast extract and pH on growth of the bacterium were significant, and the strongest effect was given by the yeast extract concentration. Estimated optimum conditions of the factors on the bacterial growth are as follows: lactose concentration=9·5 g/l; inulin concentration=38·5 mg/l; yeast extract concentration=9·6 g/l and initial pH=6·2.

In vitro evaluation of Bifidobacterium strains of human origin for potential use in probiotic functional foods

The present study investigated some in vitro properties for probiotic use of four strains of bifidobacteria isolated from faeces of healthy children (Bifidobacterium longum 51A, Bifidobacterium breve 1101A, Bifidobacterium pseudolongum 1191A and Bifidobacterium bifidum 1622A). In vitro tests were carried out to compare growth rate, aerotolerance, antagonistic activity against pathogens, antimicrobial susceptibility profile and cell wall hydrophobicity. Mean doubling time of B. longum 51A was shorter compared to the other strains. All strains were aerotolerant up to 72 h of exposure to oxygen. In vitro antagonism showed that B. longum 51A and B. pseudolongum 1191A were able to produce inhibitory diffusible compounds against all pathogenic bacteria tested, but not against Candida albicans. B. longum 51A was sensitive to all the antimicrobials tested, except neomycin. The hydrophobic property of the cell wall was highest for B. bifidum 1622A. Based on these parameters, B. longum 51A showed the best potential for probiotic use among the tested strains, presenting the greatest sensitivity to antimicrobials, the best growth rate and the highest capacity to produce antagonistic substances against various pathogenic microorganisms.

Using a simplex centroid to study the effects of pH, temperature and lactulose on the viability of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis in a model system

This paper reports on the effects of lactulose (0-10 g/l) on Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, along with the influence of pH (4.5-8.5) and temperature (15-45 °C); the three factors were combined through a simplex centroid. The experiments were performed in a laboratory medium and the data of cells counts were modeled through the Weibull equation for the evaluation of the first reduction time, the shape parameter and the death time. These fitting parameters were used as input values to build a desirability profile and a second-order model through the DoE approach (Design of Experiments). The medium containing glucose was used as control. The prebiotic enhanced the viability of the microbial target, by prolonging the first reduction time and inducing a shoulder phase in the death kinetic; moreover, in some combinations the statistical analysis highlighted a kind of interaction with the pH.

Effect of heat treatment on the storage stability of low calorie milk drinks

The study was undertaken to study the effect of heat treatment on the storage stability of cardamom flavoured low calorie milk drinks (CFDs). The drinks prepared by replacing sugar with sucralose and adding inulin in milk of 0.5 % fat and 8.5 % milk solid-not-fat were subjected to pasteurization and sterilization and stored at refrigeration and room temperature, respectively. The stored samples were evaluated for changes in physico-chemical and sensory attributes at regular intervals. In pasteurized drinks, the total solids (TS) and pH declined while the total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity and viscosity increased significantly (p < 0.01) with storage. A significant reduction in the flavour and body and mouthfeel scores was observed. Standard plate count (SPC) increased in both control and low calorie drinks with storage period. In sterilized CFDs, TS and TSS were not affected appreciably whereas titratable acidity increased and viscosity decreased significantly (p < 0.01) with storage. Though the sensory scores also declined with storage, the drinks obtained high acceptability scores even after 150 days of storage at room temperature. However, the changes in colour components (L, a and b values) indicated increased browning in the drinks with storage time. SPC was not detected until 120 days in control and 135 days in low calorie drink. Yeast and molds were not evident until 135 days in control and 150 days in low calorie drink. The shelf life was found to be 10 and 150 days of pasteurized and sterilized CFDs at refrigeration and room temperature, respectively.

Synbiotic effect of various prebiotics on in vitro activities of probiotic lactobacilli

In the present study, five Lactobacillus strains were evaluated for their viability in presence of different prebiotics viz. inulin, oligofructose, lactulose, raftilose, and honey. The viability of lactobacilli was observed before and after 5 weeks of refrigerated storage. The doubling time varied from 5.2 hrs to 9.6 hrs. The lowest doubling time was for Lactobacillus plantarum M5 followed by L. plantarum Ch1 with inulin. Viability of lactobacilli was greatest with inulin. The growth and viability in presence of prebiotics were found to be strain-specific. Hence, it could be concluded that the addition of prebiotics have a significant effect on probiotics, and hence, a combination of suitable Lactobacillus strain(s) with a specific prebiotic could be a viable probiotic-based functional food approach in administering the beneficial bacteria in-vivo.

The effect of rice fibre fractions on the growth of co-cultures of probiotics

The fermentation of rice dietary fibre was measured by the cell yield, pH, optical density specific growth rate and biomass using nine co-cultures of four probiotics at 0, 6, 24 and 48 h incubation. The results from the fermentation of the soluble, insoluble and total dietary fibre (SDF, IDF, and TDF) of two rice varieties were compared. Overall there was no significant difference (p < 0.05) in the fermentation of the six different rice fibre fractions. However, co-cultures showed a preference for glucose as a fermentation substrate rather than the fibre fractions. Bifidobacteria species produced a higher cell count than the Lactobacillus species after 24 and 48 h of fermentation (p < 0.05). There was evidence of synergistic activity with increased growth observed when lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium were grown together. Growth was limited by the pH reaching 4.2-4.45. Specific growth rates of the co-cultures varied for different culture combinations. Combinations of the same species produced less biomass than combinations of mixed species. Bifidobacterium breve + Bifidobacterium longum + Lactobacillus rhamnosus was the most efficient. These findings showed that synergism between microorganisms in co-cultures affected the degree of fermentation of dietary fibre.

Effects of probiotic bacteria on the bioaccessibility of aflatoxin B(1) and ochratoxin A using an in vitro digestion model under fed conditions

In the present study, we aimed at determining the release of aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) and ochratoxin A (OTA) from different food products in the gastro-intestinal tract in the absence and presence of probiotics, a possible adsorbent. The average bioaccessibility of AFB(1) and OTA without probiotics was about 90%, and 30%, respectively, depending on several factors, such as food product, contamination level, compound and type of contamination (spiked versus naturally contaminated). The six probiotic bacteria showed varying binding capacity to AFB(1) and OTA depending on the bacterial strain, toxin studied, type of food and contamination level. A reduction to a maximum of 37% and 73% as observed for the bioaccessibility of AFB(1) and OTA in the presence of probiotic bacteria, respectively. This is the first report on the effect of probiotic bacteria on reducing the fraction of mycotoxins available for absorption in the gastrointestinal tract from different food products.