Nutritional Properties of Probiotics with Prebiotics and Their Potential to Impact on Mineral Absorption and Immunological Status in Vivo

Abstract

Functional foods or functional food ingredients exert a beneficial effect on host health and/or reduce the risk of chronic disease beyond their nutritive value.Probiotics are living microbial food components that beneficially affect the host by improving its intestinal microbial balance.Prebiotics are indigestible food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a number of health-promoting colon bacteria and thus improve host health. This study suggested evaluatesLactobacillus acidophilus strain as probiotic and inulin (fructooligosaccharides) as prebiotic on mineral absorption and immunological status. Male Westar rats (n = 30), with an initial mean weight of 170 ±10 g,After 5 days as adaptation period, rats were randomly divided into three groups, a control group, a FOS group and FOS with probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus) group (n = 10 of each group). The diet in the FOS and FOS with Lactobacillus acidophilus groups contained 5 g/100 g inulin and 2.5 g/100 g diet respectively, through replacement of the sucrose in the control diet.The respective wet diets were dried for 1 d (80°C) to calculate the wet/dry ratio, and calcium concentrations in the dry diets were then measured.A mineral metabolic study was performed to determine apparent calcium and magnesium absorptions in the intestine.They were determined in feces.Minerals concentrations (Ca, Mg, and P) in local bone areas were measured. Serum anti-sporidiumIgG and IgM were determined by ELISA standard technique. The results showed both calcium and magnesium apparent absorption was slightly but significantly greater in rats fed the fructooligosaccharides (FOS) with probiotic bacteria. All evaluate immunological parameter showed that group rat fed inline and Lactobacillus acidophilus strain was significant compare control group and group fed only inulin. Probiotic and prebiotic with together may improve absorption mineral special Ca and Mg. Also ameliorate immunological status.