Barley β-glucan for conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) production by Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis: Fatty acid variation and bacterial viability study

Abstract

In the present study, production of two isomers (cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12) of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) by Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis BB12 was investigated in organic and conventional milk in the presence of barley derived β-glucan. Fatty acid profile, acidification profile, cell enumeration and lactose content were determined for fermented conventional and organic milk, before and after 30 h fermentation in 30 °C. Viscometery and sensory evaluations were also performed. The results showed higher counts of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis BB12, and viscosity in organic milk. Also, organic fermented milk offered higher CLA as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids values and a lower level of saturated fatty acids in comparison to conventional fermented milk. Cis-9, trans-11 CLA, trans-10, cis-12 CLA and polyunsaturated fatty acids values, bacterial count and viscosity in organic milk containing β-glucan were 28%, 39%, 33%, one log CFU/mL and 59% higher than the samples without β-glucan, respectively. Although these results were obtained for conventional milk, the variation percentage in the organic milk was significantly more than the conventional milk. In addition, the total lactose content in organic and conventional milk containing β-glucan was 19% and 12% lower than the samples without prebiotic.