Prebiotic Components Research Articles

Synbiotics as Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Review.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a persistent disturbance of the function of the gastrointestinal tract with a prevalence of about 11.2% in the population at large. While the etiology of the disorder remains unclear, there is mounting evidence that the disturbance of the gut microbiota is at least one contributing factor. This insight resulted in clinical trials investigating the therapeutic effects of products containing probiotic microorganisms. Most studies with IBS patients have evaluated the therapeutic effects of mono- and multi-strain probiotics, but only a few studies have investigated the efficacy of synbiotics (combinations of probiotic bacteria and one or more prebiotic components). This review summarizes the results from eight randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials that investigated the efficacy of synbiotic preparations (three mono-strain and five multi-strain products) in adult IBS patients. While data remain sparse, some of the surveyed clinical trials have demonstrated interesting efficacy results in IBS patients. To allow a judgment of the role played by synbiotics in the treatment of IBS patients, more high-quality clinical trials are needed.

Production of plant protein from seeds and cake of industrial hemp: Overview of processing methods for food industry

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a multifunctional raw material with a wide spectrum of applications. A huge interest in hemp has arisen in the food industry comparatively recently. Seeds and cake of hemp have the high protein content (20.00-38.70% and 27.90-40.70%, respectively), which makes them a promising raw material for production of concentrates, isolates, and hydrolysates for the food industry. Hemp cake is distinguished by the high content of fiber (17.41-60.38%) and can be used as a prebiotic component of food. In terms of the amino acid content, the amino acid composition of hemp exceeds the corresponding indicators of the reference protein recommended by WHO. The content of lysine is the only indicator, in which hemp protein is inferior to the “ideal” protein. Digestibility of protein of hulled hemp seeds is in a range from 90.8% to 97.5%, which is comparable to digestibility of casein. Digestibility of hemp isolate is 88-91%, which is 21.9% higher than that of soy protein isolate. Peptides and amino acids contained in hydrolysates of hemp protein can show the high biological activity. Hydrolysates attract interest among researchers not only because of their bioactivity but also because of their high digestibility and nutritional value. Targeted proteolysis is a tool that facilitates an improvement in the functional-technological properties of protein. Seeds and cake are a promising raw material for using in food technologies to produce vegetable oil, dietary fiber, protein preparations and functional products. The aim of this paper is to analyze the main methods for industrial hemp processing and promising directions of using protein products from waste of hemp oil production in the food industry.

The synbiotic solution: Evaluating safety and efficacy in antibiotic-associated dysbiosis - A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pre-clinical study with sprague dawley rats

BackgroundAntibiotic therapy, vital for combating infections, often disrupts the intricate balance of gut bacteria, resulting in "gut dysbiosis." This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of a Synbiotic supplement in alleviating antibiotic-associated dysbiosis in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. MethodsA double-blind, placebo-controlled pre-clinical study was conducted over a minimum of 10 consecutive days. The study employed five distinct groups for evaluation, with a focus on the Synbiotic group comprising probiotic and prebiotic components. The administered dose was 1 billion CFU with 100 mg Fossence®. ResultsThe Synbiotic supplement demonstrated significant positive outcomes across diverse parameters. Compared to the disease control group, the Synbiotic group displayed enhancements in fecal output ratio, feed conversion ratio, total weight gain, and specific growth ratio. Histopathological data supported these findings, affirming the Synbiotic supplementation's potential in mitigating antibiotics' adverse effects on gut health. No mortalities or major symptoms were recorded, confirming the supplement's safety. ConclusionsThe study underscores the efficacy of Synbiotics in enhancing gastrointestinal health in SD rats. The identified effective dose of 1 billion CFU with 100 mg Fossence® necessitates further clinical investigation. This suggests Synbiotics as a compelling approach to address antibiotic-associated gut dysbiosis, warranting further exploration in humans for potential applications in maintaining a healthy gut and overall well-being.

Effect of The Addition of Unripe Berlin Banana Flour on The Organoleptic Characteristics of Synbiotic Yogurt

Synbiotic yogurt is a fermented milk product that combines probiotic bacteria with ingredients containing prebiotic components. Unripe banana flour (UBF) contains resistant starch (RS), which contributes to the development of prebiotics in synbiotic yogurt products. The research aimed to know the effect of the addition of UBF on the organoleptic characteristics of synbiotic yogurt. The research was carried out with an unripe Berlin banana. Four treatment groups included 2% inulin (P0), 1% UBF (P1), 2% UBF (P2), and 3% UBF (P3). The organoleptic characteristics include hedonic and hedonic quality tests using 48 semi-trained panelists. The data was statistically analyzed using the Kruskall-Wallis test followed by the Mann-Whitney test. The results of the hedonic test indicate that texture, aroma, and color significantly differed between groups (P<0.05), while taste did not significantly differ between groups (P>0.05). The hedonic quality test indicated that there were significant differences between groups in terms of texture, aroma, and color (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in taste between the groups (P>0.05). In conclusion, formula 2% UBF (P1) is the most preferable formula based on the organoleptic test.

In vitro screening of the impact of dietary prebiotic components, probiotic strains, and their symbiotic combinations on colonic microbiota in children with cystic fibrosis.

Children with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) are more likely to have intestinal dysbiosis due to recurrent antibiotic therapy and the conventional hypercaloric diet administered to them. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of isolated prebiotic components and probiotic strains, and their combinations as potential synbiotics, on the intestinal microbiota of CF children. A static in vitro colonic fermentation model was used by colonizing vials with faecal inoculum, a culture medium, and the substrates to be tested. Post treatment, aliquots were taken to determine ammonium, lactate, and short-chain fatty acids production and to profile the microbiota composition by 16s rRNA sequencing. At genus level, Escherichia-Shigella decreased (15.8%) with the treatment pectin + L. rhamnosus, followed by the beta-glucan + L. salivarius (15.5%). Inversely, the most increase in Bacteroides (44%) was obtained by the treatment with Pectin + L. reuteri. Lactate and acetic acid production was significantly increased with prebiotics and their combinations with L. rhamnosus and L. salivarius. In conclusion, the use of beta-glucan and pectin in combination with probiotic strains from the Lactobacillaceae family suggest potential to modulate dysbiosis and metabolic activity on CF colonic microbiota, encouraging further studies in animal studies or clinical settings to confirm the findings in vivo.

НОВАЯ ПРЕБИОТИЧЕСКАЯ КОРМОВАЯ ДОБАВКА: ГЕМАТОЛОГИЧЕСКИЙ И ИММУННЫЙ СТАТУС ПОРОСЯТ-ОТЪЕМЫШЕЙ

In the article the results of study of a new high-energy feed supplement, including a prebiotic component and a vitamin-mineral complex are stated. A farm-scientific experiment was conducted on weaned piglets of a large white breed. In this research hematological indicators, characterizing the level of protein metabolism, the transport function of blood, the intensity of the leukocyte reaction, as well as the level of immunoglobulins G, M and A, characterizing the intensity of the functioning of the humoral immunity of piglets, were analyzed. It has been established that the inclusion of the studied feed supplement in the diets of experimental animals increases the body's resistance, decreases the negative consequences of the adaptation period during weaning and transfer into the rearing workshop, improves the physiological state, and intensifies metabolic processes.

Антипатогенные свойства заквасочной микрофлоры в присутствии пектиновых олигосахаридов

Anti-pathogenic activity is an integral part of the main characteristics of fermented functional products based on bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. Pectin oligosaccharides are promising prebiotic components for the microflora of fermented milk drinks, since they have a potential synergistic effect. The antibacterial effect of starter cultures traditionally used in the dairy industry against pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli EPEC, Escherichia coli VTEC and Staphylococcus aureus in the presence of pectin oligosaccharides was studied in vitro. It has been experimentally proven that pectin oligosaccharides are suitable for use as a probiotic for bifid-containing products, they positively affect the metabolism of probiotic cultures, enhance anti-pathogenic activity and do not inhibit the growth of other starter cultures.

Enhanced ileum function in weaned piglets via Laminaria digitata and alginate lyase dietary inclusion: A combined proteomics and metabolomics analysis

Laminaria digitata, a brown seaweed with prebiotic properties, can potentially enhance the resilience of weaned piglets to nutritional distress. However, their cell wall polysaccharides elude digestion by monogastric animals' endogenous enzymes. In vitro studies suggest alginate lyase's ability to degrade such polysaccharides. This study aimed to assess the impact of a 10% dietary inclusion of L. digitata and alginate lyase supplementation on the ileum proteome and metabolome, adopting a hypothesis-generating approach. Findings indicated that control piglets escalated glucose usage as an enteric energy source, as evidenced by the increased abundance of PKLR and PCK2 proteins and decreased tissue glucose concentration. Additionally, the inclusion of seaweed fostered a rise in proteins linked to enhanced enterocyte structural integrity (ACTBL2, CRMP1, FLII, EML2 and MYLK), elevated peptidase activity (NAALADL1 and CAPNS1), and heightened anti-inflammatory activity (C3), underscoring improved intestinal function. In addition, seaweed-fed piglets showed a reduced abundance of proteins related to apoptosis (ERN2) and proteolysis (DPP4). Alginate lyase supplementation appeared to amplify the initial effects of seaweed-only feeding, by boosting the number of differential proteins within the same pathways. This amplification is potentially due to increased intracellular nutrient availability, making a compelling case for further exploration of this dietary approach. SignificancePig production used to rely heavily on antibiotics and zinc oxide to deal with post-weaning stress in a cost-effective way. Their negative repercussions on public health and the environment have motivated heavy restrictions, and a consequent search for alternative feed ingredients/supplements. One of such alternatives is Laminaria digitata, a brown seaweed whose prebiotic components that can help weaned piglets deal with nutritional stress, by improving their gut health and immune status. However, their recalcitrant cell walls have antinutritional properties, for which alginate lyase supplementation is a possible solution. By evaluating ileal metabolism as influenced by dietary seaweed and enzyme supplementation, we aim at discovering how the weaned piglet adapts to them and what are their effects on this important segment of the digestive system.

Structural analysis of a water insoluble polysaccharide from pearl millet and evaluating its prebiotic activity

Epidemiological studies have shown an inverse correlation between dietary intake of prebiotics and the risk of chronic diseases. Pearl millet is a potential economic source to develop a new class of prebiotics in the form of its polysaccharide. In the present study, the chemical structure of a water insoluble homopolysaccharide (PMG), and its prebiotic properties were investigated. The structure of PMG was elucidated on the basis of total hydrolysis, methylation analysis, and 1D/2D NMR (1H, 13C, DEPT-135, HSQC, DQF-COSY, NOESY and ROESY) experiments. The results indicated that PMG was a glucan with an average molecular weight ~ 361 kDa having a backbone of (1 → 3) α-d-glucopyranosyl residues. Hydrolysis of PMG by salivary and pancreatic α amylase was 1.75 % ± 0.34 and 1.99 % ± 0.18 respectively. A positive prebiotic score of PMG with both L. acidophilus and L. brevis (0.446 ± 0.031 & 0.427 ± 0.016) hints towards its prebiotic potential. These observations suggest that PMG might be used as a potential prebiotic component in the food and pharmaceutical applications.

Endoproteolysis of Oligopeptide-Based Coacervates for Enzymatic Modeling.

Better insights into the fate of membraneless organelles could strengthen the understanding of the transition from prebiotic components to multicellular organisms. Compartmentalized enzyme reactions in a synthetic coacervate have been investigated, yet there remains a gap in understanding the enzyme interactions with coacervate as a substrate hub. Here, we study how the molecularly crowded nature of the coacervate affects the interactions of the embedded substrate with a protease. We design oligopeptide-based coacervates that comprise an anionic Asp-peptide (D10) and a cationic Arg-peptide (R5R5) with a proteolytic cleavage site. The coacervates dissolve in the presence of the main protease (Mpro) implicated in the coronavirus lifecycle. We capitalize on the condensed structure, introduce a self-quenching mechanism, and model the enzyme kinetics by using Cy5.5-labeled peptides. The determined specificity constant (kcat/KM) is 5817 M-1 s-1 and is similar to that of the free substrate. We further show that the enzyme kinetics depend on the type and quantity of dye incorporated into the coacervates. Our work presents a simple design for enzyme-responsive coacervates and provides insights into the interactions between the enzyme and coacervates as a whole.

Non-dairy prebiotics: Conceptual relevance with nutrigenomics and mechanistic understanding of the effects on human health

The increasing health awareness of consumers has made a shift towards vegan and non-dairy prebiotics counterparts. Non-dairy prebiotics when fortified with vegan products have interesting properties and widely found its applications in food industry. The chief vegan products that have prebiotics added include water-soluble plant-based extracts (fermented beverages, frozen desserts), cereals (bread, cookies), and fruits (juices & jelly, ready to eat fruits). The main prebiotic components utilized are inulin, oligofructose, polydextrose, fructooligosaccharides, and xylooligosaccharides. Prebiotics’ formulations, type and food matrix affect food products, host health, and technological attributes. Prebiotics from non-dairy sources have a variety of physiological effects that help to prevent and treat chronic metabolic diseases. This review focuses on mechanistic insight on non-dairy prebiotics affecting human health, how nutrigenomics is related to prebiotics development, and role of gene-microbes' interactions. The review will provide industries and researchers with important information about prebiotics, mechanism of non-dairy prebiotics and microbe interaction as well as prebiotic based vegan products.

Reactive phosphorus via simulated lightning discharge: A role for fulgurites in pre-biotic chemistry

Apatite is the most common phosphorus-bearing mineral in primary igneous rocks. Despite its early and ubiquitous presence in such rocks at the Earth's surface, its phosphorus exhibits a low reactivity in prebiotic chemosynthesis. This situation may change radically upon the transformation of phosphorus from orthophosphates to pyrophosphates or phosphides which are, in contrast, highly reactive in such scenarios. Pyrophosphates and phosphides are today however, scarce on Earth, generally not being stabilized in rock-forming processes. Noticeable exceptions are lightning-struck rocks (i.e., fulgurites). Here, we present the first evidence of reactive phosphorus (P) in a fulgurite which has been experimentally generated under controlled conditions from natural apatite. Crushed apatite was transformed into a fulgurite through the application of controlled high voltage electrical discharges. We document both the apatite (pre-experiment) and the fulgurite (post-experiment) texture, state, and chemistry. 31P and 19F nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy reveals the presence of a reactive P phase (pyrophosphate) in the fulgurite. Our results support the speculation that frequent lightning activity under early Earth conditions may have provided more than 100–10.000 kg/yr of reactive P on early Earth through the generation of reactive P-bearing fulgurites. Their presence may have enabled the chemosynthesis of vital prebiotic components such as RNA and lipids for the emergence of life on Earth.

Minimal RNA self-reproduction discovered from a random pool of oligomers.

The emergence of RNA self-reproduction from prebiotic components would have been crucial in developing a genetic system during the origins of life. However, all known self-reproducing RNA molecules are complex ribozymes, and how they could have arisen from abiotic materials remains unclear. Therefore, it has been proposed that the first self-reproducing RNA may have been short oligomers that assemble their components as templates. Here, we sought such minimal RNA self-reproduction in prebiotically accessible short random RNA pools that undergo spontaneous ligation and recombination. By examining enriched RNA families with common motifs, we identified a 20-nucleotide (nt) RNA variant that self-reproduces via template-directed ligation of two 10 nt oligonucleotides. The RNA oligomer contains a 2'-5' phosphodiester bond, which typically forms during prebiotically plausible RNA synthesis. This non-canonical linkage helps prevent the formation of inactive complexes between self-complementary oligomers while decreasing the ligation efficiency. The system appears to possess an autocatalytic property consistent with exponential self-reproduction despite the limitation of forming a ternary complex of the template and two substrates, similar to the behavior of a much larger ligase ribozyme. Such a minimal, ribozyme-independent RNA self-reproduction may represent the first step in the emergence of an RNA-based genetic system from primordial components. Simultaneously, our examination of random RNA pools highlights the likelihood that complex species interactions were necessary to initiate RNA reproduction.

Effect of resistant starch types as a prebiotic

Since the role of intestinal microbiota in metabolism was understood, the importance of dietary components such as fibres and prebiotics, which affect the modulation of microbiota, has been increasing day by day. While all prebiotic components are considered dietary fibre, not every dietary fibre is considered a prebiotic. While fructooligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, inulin, and galactans are considered prebiotics, other fermentable carbohydrates are considered candidate prebiotic components based on in vitro and preclinical studies. Resistant starch, one of such carbohydrates, is considered a potential prebiotic component when it is made resistant to digestion naturally or chemically. In this review, both in vitro and in vivo studies in which the prebiotic capacity of type II, type III, and type IV resistant starch isolated from food and produced commercially was assessed were analyzed. According to the results of current studies, certain types of resistant starch are thought to have a high prebiotic capacity, and they may be candidate prebiotic components although positive results have not been achieved in all studies. KEY POINTS: • Resistant starch is undigested in the small intestine and is fermented in the large intestine. • Resistant starch fermentation positively affects the growth of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. • Resistant starch can be considered a prebiotic ingredient.

Immobilization and Application of the Recombinant Xylanase GH10 of Malbranchea pulchella in the Production of Xylooligosaccharides from Hydrothermal Liquor of the Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus grandis) Wood Chips.

Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) are widely used in the food industry as prebiotic components. XOS with high purity are required for practical prebiotic function and other biological benefits, such as antioxidant and inflammatory properties. In this work, we immobilized the recombinant endo-1,4-β-xylanase of Malbranchea pulchella (MpXyn10) in various chemical supports and evaluated its potential to produce xylooligosaccharides (XOS) from hydrothermal liquor of eucalyptus wood chips. Values >90% of immobilization yields were achieved from amino-activated supports for 120 min. The highest recovery values were found on Purolite (142%) and MANAE-MpXyn10 (137%) derivatives, which maintained more than 90% residual activity for 24 h at 70 °C, while the free-MpXyn10 maintained only 11%. In addition, active MpXyn10 derivatives were stable in the range of pH 4.0-6.0 and the presence of the furfural and HMF compounds. MpXyn10 derivatives were tested to produce XOS from xylan of various sources. Maximum values were observed for birchwood xylan at 8.6 mg mL-1 and wheat arabinoxylan at 8.9 mg mL-1, using Purolite-MpXyn10. Its derivative was also successfully applied in the hydrolysis of soluble xylan present in hydrothermal liquor, with 0.9 mg mL-1 of XOS after 3 h at 50 °C. This derivative maintained more than 80% XOS yield after six cycles of the assay. The results obtained provide a basis for the application of immobilized MpXyn10 to produce XOS with high purity and other high-value-added products in the lignocellulosic biorefinery field.

IN VITRO EFFECTS OF HUMAN BREAST MILK AND TWO FUNCTIONAL FOODS CANDIDATES ON CLOSTRIDIOIDES (CLOSTRIDIUM) DIFFICILE GROWTH

Introduction: Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile is an anaerobic bacterial species commonly found in the human intestine. In some conditions, like gut dysbiosis, it can manifest its pathogenicity, causing a large spectrum of colitis. The prophylactic administration of probiotics or a combination of probiotics and prebiotic substances, called symbiotic products as an adjuvant for antibiotic treatment, has been tested to reduce the duration of clinical manifestations and to prevent relapses, but the results are not conclusive. Objectives: This study aims to evidence the in vitro effects of C. difficile growth under the influence of two candidate functional foods (traditional sour wheat bran beverage and pickle juice), which have both probiotic with prebiotic properties and of the breast milk, known for its prebiotic components. Methods: A number of three clinical strains of C. difficile isolated from patients with post-antibiotic C. difficile infections were used in order to investigate the effects of domestic origin product fractions and breast milk on the C. difficile strains growth. Results: We found a dose-dependent stimulatory effect of the traditional sour wheat bran beverage fractions, possibly due to the presence of some unknown growth factors. Unmodified pickle juice and the resulting supernatant also have dose-dependent inhibitory effects on C. difficile growth, while inactivated cell sediment had no noticeable effect. Conclusions: Further exploration is needed to be able to exploit the inhibitory effect of sour wheat bran beverage and pickle juice on C. difficile growth and to identify and isolate biological components from these functional foods. Keywords: functional food, Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile infection, gastrointestinal microbiota, probiotics, prebiotic

Metabiotics - development of probiotic concept

The urgency of development of technology of synbiotic dairy products with metabolites on the basis of microbial consortia of probiotic bacteria is substantiated in the article. The choice of fermentation crops with high biotechnological potential, manufactured by «BIOPROX», is substantiated. Prebiotic components of plant origin with vitamin-mineral complexes – «Flaxseed oil», «Blue iodine» and «Selenium» are involved as energy-biotics. The optimal ratio of fermentation cultures and exopolysaccharides was studied; dynamics of accumulation of bacteria at regulated temperatures; duration of fermentation; physico-chemical parameters of the obtained products. The ratio of fermentation compositions containing microbial consortia for the production of fermented milk products is substantiated: - «Biolon»: Lactococcus lactis subsp lactis, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris, Lactococcus lactis ssp lactis biovar diacetylactis, Streptococcus thermophiles, Lactobacillus bulgaricus in the ratio 0.8: 1: 1.2 (dietary supplement «Flax») at the initial concentration of all cultures in milk formulas 1 · 108 CFU / cm3; - «Bioiod» : Streptococcus thermophiles, Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis, Lactococcus lactis ssp lactis biovar diacetylactis in the ratio 1: 2.5: 2 (BAA "Iodine") at the initial concentration of all cultures in milk formulas 1 · 108 CFU / cm3; - «Bioselen»: Lactococcus lactis subsp lactis, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris, Streptococcus thermophiles, Lactobacillus helveticus in the ratio 2: 1: 1 (BAA «Selenium») at the initial concentration of all cultures in milk formulas 1 · 108 CFU / cm3 are substantiated. The expediency of enriching milk formulas with biologically active additives has been established:flaxseed oil - 1.2%; blue iodine - 2.0% and selenium - 1.0%; for obtaining the highest concentrations of probiotic cells in the created new synbiotic dairy products. Key words: probiotics, prebiotics, metabolites, microbial consortia, exopolysaccharide potentials, biologically active additive, fermented milk product.

The Prebiotic Effect of Australian Seaweeds on Commensal Bacteria and Short Chain Fatty Acid Production in a Simulated Gut Model.

Diet is known to affect the composition and metabolite production of the human gut microbial community, which in turn is linked with the health and immune status of the host. Whole seaweeds (WH) and their extracts contain prebiotic components such as polysaccharides (PS) and polyphenols (PP). In this study, the Australian seaweeds, Phyllospora comosa, Ecklonia radiata, Ulva ohnoi, and their PS and PP extracts were assessed for potential prebiotic activities using an in vitro gut model that included fresh human faecal inoculum. 16S rRNA sequencing post gut simulation treatment revealed that the abundance of several taxa of commensal bacteria within the phylum Firmicutes linked with short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and gut and immune function, including the lactic acid producing order Lactobacillales and the chief butyrate-producing genera Faecalibacteria, Roseburia, Blautia, and Butyricicoccus were significantly enhanced by the inclusion of WH, PS and PP extracts. After 24 h fermentation, the abundance of total Firmicutes ranged from 57.35–81.55% in the WH, PS and PP samples, which was significantly greater (p ≤ 0.01) than the inulin (INU) polysaccharide control (32.50%) and the epigallocatechingallate (EGCG) polyphenol control (67.13%); with the exception of P. comosa PP (57.35%), which was significantly greater than INU only. However, all WH, PS and PP samples also increased the abundance of the phylum Proteobacteria; while the abundance of the phylum Actinobacteria was decreased by WH and PS samples. After 24 h incubation, the total and individual SCFAs present, including butyric, acetic and propionic acids produced by bacteria fermented with E. radiata and U. ohnoi, were significantly greater than the SCFAs identified in the INU and EGCG controls. Most notably, total SCFAs in the E. radiata PS and U. ohnoi WH samples were 227.53 and 208.68 µmol/mL, respectively, compared to only 71.05 µmol/mL in INU and 7.76 µmol/mL in the EGCG samples. This study demonstrates that whole seaweeds and their extracts have potential as functional food ingredients to support normal gut and immune function.

Improvement of the production technology of feed additives by introducing various prebiotic components into a nutrient medium for probiotic bacteria

The aim of the work was to select prebiotic components and determine their influence on the main growth indicators of probiotic bacteria (lactobacterium, bifidobacterium). Bifidobacterium adolescentis 17-11 b and lactobacterium strain Lactobacillus plantarum 8 b were used to create the bacterial mixture. In determining the effectiveness of various sugar sources on the intensity of the growth parameters of lactic oxide bacteria, experimental nutrient media were prepared and lactulose was added, Inulin, fructose at concentrations of 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.5%. Experimentally, the use of lactulose, as a prebiotic component in a culture mixture, at concentrations of 1.5% and 2.5% has the greatest stimulation of lactobacteries L. plantarum 8 b and bifidobacteria B. adolescentis 17-11 b . The use of such concentrations increases the biological activity of the final product: acidification and the number of living bacteria. Lactulose has been found to have a better growth-stimulating effect in relation to bifido and lactobacteria compared to other carbohydrates (inulin, fructose). Optimum growth parameters for bifidobacteria have been established - the culture temperature (38.7±0.4°C), the environment pH (6.8±0.3), and lactobacterium - the culture temperature (37.1±0.4 оC) and the environment pH (6.7±0.3).

Mini-Review: The potential of raffinose as a prebiotic

Prebiotics are dietary fiber components that cannot be digested by the human gastrointestinal tract but can be selectively fermented by bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, prebiotics provides health effects for humans. The specificity of prebiotics is determined by the bacteria that are specifically capable of fermenting the prebiotic substrate. The characteristics of prebiotic substrate need to be investigated in-vitro and in-vivo to determine the function and effectiveness of the substrate as a prebiotic. The prebiotic production process must be able to keep the prebiotic components stable. Raffinose is an oligosaccharide that has potential as a prebiotic. This article will discuss raffinose chemical structure, degrading enzymes, and health benefits as a prebiotic. Raffinose consists of 3 monomers, namely α-D-galactose, α-D-glucose, and α-D-fructose. Substrates containing raffinose-family oligosaccharides (RFOs) are the source of raffinose. Those substrates can be degraded to raffinose by the α-1,6-galactosidase. Raffinose can increase the growth of lactic acid bacteria, suppress the growth of pathogenic bacteria, increase short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), reduce constipation, inhibit the formation of putrefactive compounds from protein, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.