Probiotic Dairy Products Research Articles

FERMENTED FOOD PRODUCTS USING SEA BUCKTHORN FRUIT. OVERVIEW

Herbal raw materials are a unique source of biologically active substances that are of particular value in the treatment of various diseases. Sea buckthorn is one of the most famous and widespread medicinal plants, widely grown in the United States, Europe, Asia, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. Information on the phytochemical composition of fruits is quite fully covered in the scientific literature. Sea buckthorn fruits are rich in essential nutrients and biologically active substances, but remain less in demand. Thus, it is important to study and implement new ways of processing sea buckthorn fruits that can contribute to the development of new functional foods and attract the attention of consumers to these products. This review summarizes studies on the development of food products using sea buckthorn fruits and lactic acid bacterial cultures. Particular attention is paid to the process of malolactic fermentation and its influence on the content and profile of organic acids and polyphenols in the juice of sea buckthorn fruits, it is shown what changes in antioxidant properties and organoleptic characteristics occur. The role of sea buckthorn fruits and their components in the development of new probiotic dairy and non-dairy products is considered.

Probiotic Lactobacilli in Fermented Dairy Products: Selective Detection, Enumeration and Identification Scheme.

A selection of 36 commercial probiotic fermented dairy products from UK and Europe markets were evaluated for the numbers, types, and viability of Lactobacillus strains against the stated information on their packages. A comparative study was carried out on selectivity of MRS-Clindamycin, MRS-Sorbitol, and MRS-IM Maltose, to select the right medium for enumeration of probiotic Lactobacillus. Based on selectivity of medium for recovery of the targeted lactobacilli, and also simplicity of preparation, MRS-Clindamycin was chosen as the best medium for enumeration of probiotic Lactobacillus in fermented milks. The results of enumeration of lactobacilli showed that 22 out of a total 36 tested products contained more than 106 colony-forming units/g at the end of their shelf life, which comply with the recommended minimum therapeutic level for probiotics. Rep-PCR using primer GTG-5 was applied for initial discrimination of isolated strains, and isolates, which presented different band profile, were placed in different groups. The isolated Lactobacillus spp. were identified mainly as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, and Lactobacillus paracasei by analysis of partial sequences of the 16S ribosomal RNA and rpoA genes.

Effect of probiotic fermented dairy products on incidence of respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

BackgroundPrevious studies have suggested that the consumption of probiotic fermented dairy products (PFDP) may have a protective effect on respiratory tract infections (RTIs). However, the results of studies are inconclusive. We aimed to systematically investigate the effect of PFDP on RTIs by performing a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).MethodsPubMed and Scopus databases were systematically searched up to October 2020 to identify eligible RCTs. Meta-analysis outcomes were risk of incidence of upper (URTIs ) and lower (LRTIs ) respiratory tract infections. A random-effects model was used to pool the relative risks (RR) and corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CI) for outcomes following conception of PFDP.ResultsA total of 22 RCTs, with a total sample size of 10,190 participants, were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with placebo, consumption of PFDP had a significant protective effect against RTIs in the overall analysis (RR = 0.81, 95 %CI: 0.74 to 0.89) and in children (RR = 0.82, 95 %CI: 0.73 to 0.93), adults (RR = 0.81, 95 %CI: 0.66 to 1.00), and elderly population (RR = 0.78, 95 %CI: 0.61 to 0.98). The significant decreased risk of RTIs was also observed for URTIs (RR = 0.83, 95 %CI: 0.73 to 0.93), while, this effect was marginal for LRTIs (RR = 0.78, 95 %CI: 0.60 to 1.01, P = 0.06). The disease-specific analysis showed that PFDP have a protective effect on pneumonia (RR = 0.76, 95 %CI: 0.61 to 0.95) and common cold (RR = 0.68, 95 %CI: 0.49 to 0.96).ConclusionsConsumption of PFDP is a potential dietary approach for the prevention of RTIs.

Temporal dynamics of probiotic Lacticaseibacillus casei and rhamnosus abundance in a fermented dairy product evaluated using a combination of cultivation-dependent and -independent methods

Benchmark of cost-efficient and accurate methods for quantifying probiotics in dairy products represents great interest to the food industry. The advantages of cultivation-independent techniques over the traditionally used cultivation-based ones are to be investigated in this context.We evaluated the levels of Lacticaseibacillus casei and rhamnosus in multiple formulations of a fermented dairy product fortified with these probiotics during the shelf-life using cultivation, taxon-specific qPCR augmented with propidium monoazide (PMA) viability test and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The analyzed products were the yogurts produced with traditional yogurts starter cultures including Bifidobacteria or without them. The effect of the starter culture on probiotics viability and abundance was assessed. The methods for probiotic profiling were compared.All methods confirmed high levels for the probiotics throughout the shelf-life. The PMA-qPCR showed that their non-viable proportion was low. The formulations with the starter cultures including Streptococcus and Lactobacillus were associated with a lower abundance of each probiotic compared to those that additionally had Bifidobacterium in the starter culture. The total microbial composition according to the sequencing was generally as expected, but the method was of limited use for profiling the probiotic levels due to the data compositionality and dominance of the starter culture taxa.

Probiotics in the dairy industry-Advances and opportunities.

The past two decades have witnessed a global surge in the application of probiotics as functional ingredients in food, animal feed, and pharmaceutical products. Among food industries, the dairy industry is the largest sector where probiotics are employed in a number of dairy products including sour/fermented milk, yogurt, cheese, butter/cream, ice cream, and infant formula. These probiotics are either used as starter culture alone or in combination with traditional starters, or incorporated into dairy products following fermentation, where their presence imparts many functional characteristics to the product (for instance, improved aroma, taste, and textural characteristics), in addition to conferring many health-promoting properties. However, there are still many challenges related to the stability and functionality of probiotics in dairy products. This review highlights the advances, opportunities, and challenges of application of probiotics in dairy industries. Benefits imparted by probiotics to dairy products including their role in physicochemical characteristics and nutritional properties (clinical and functional perspective) are also discussed. We transcend the traditional concept of the application of probiotics in dairy products and discuss paraprobiotics and postbiotics as a newly emerged concept in the field of probiotics in a particular relation to the dairy industry. Some potential applications of paraprobiotics and postbiotics in dairy products as functional ingredients for the development of functional dairy products with health-promoting properties are briefly elucidated.

Autochthonous Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei strains isolated from Caciocavallo cheese: identification and in-vitro investigation on potential probiotic and functional properties

Background: In recent years consumers, due to the growing interest for functional foods, have put particularly attention on products enriched with probiotic lactic acid bacteria for their ability to give human benefit by their assumption. Microorganisms to be considered as probiotic should be able to survive to gastrointestinal juices and colonize the intestinal tract to provide benefits to human health. The aim of the study consisted of the in vitro investigation of novel LAB strains, isolated during cheesemaking and ripening of Caciocavallo cheese, and on their probiotic potential for food application. Methods: In order to select potential probiotic bacteria, LAB isolates were preliminarily screened for their survival to simulated gastro-intestinal transitand assayed for other activities of probiotic and functional interest. Thanks to promising attitude as potential probiotics, four strains were tested to evaluate their adhesion ability on Caco-2 cell lines used as intestinal cell model. Microbiological data were analysed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Comparisons of means were carried out using post-hoc Tukey’s test. For vitro adhesion experiments, statistical significance was evaluated by Kruskal-Wallis test for equal medians. Results: Twenty-five LAB, presumptively identified as Lactobacillus spp., were isolated from cheese during 60 days of ripening and screened for their survival to simulated gastrointestinal transit. Sixteen isolates that showed a survival rate ≥85% were identifiedas 10 different profiles of Lb. paracasei subsp. paracasei. The 10 strains tolerated high concentration of bile salts by Minimal Inhibitory Concentration and growth rate assays and showed susceptibility or moderate susceptibility against antibiotics of human and veterinary importance, except for the resistanceto the class of aminoglycoside antibiotics. Eight out 10 strains showed in vitro cholesterol-lowering ability, whereas all strains showed antioxidant activity of their cell-free supernatants. Moreover, the four strains with highest survival to simulated gastrointestinal transit showed the ability to adhere to Caco-2 cells. Conclusion: The results suggest that some strains may be effective probiotics to be use as tool to design probiotic dairy products after confirmation probiotic activities in further in vivo studies. Findings of the present study suggest that four strains showed good or strong adherent ability on Caco-2 cell monolayer, that is one of prerequisite that probiotic bacteria must have to perform their functional properties. Keywords: adhesion, antioxidant activity, bile salts, cholesterol assimilation, dairy products, gastrointestinal resistance, probiotic lactobacilli.

An application of selected enterococci using Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 in set-style probiotic yoghurt-like products

The present study aimed to develop a novel dairy product by combining Bifidobacterium lactis subsp. lactis BB-12® with proven probiotic properties with Enterococcus faecium K67E3 and Enterococcus durans K63E1, which possess potential probiotic properties. Physicochemical, textural and viscosity properties, microbiological, and sensorial attributes of set-style probiotic yoghurt-like products were analysed during the storage at 4 °C for 21 days. The starter culture type had an effect (p < 0.05) on physicochemical, textural and viscosity properties of probiotic yoghurt-like products. High probiotic viability was determined in all samples except for the LD sample containing a combination of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12® and Enterococcus durans K63E1. The use of starter culture combination containing Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12® and Enterococcus durans K63E1 (TLD) in the probiotic yoghurt-like product yielded better textural parameters, apparent viscosity, and improved sensory attributes. Although Enterococcus genera are not thought to be completely safe for use in human food so far, as a result of the research findings, it would be of interest for the dairy industry in the development of novel probiotic dairy products.

Exploitation of Sea Buckthorn Fruit for Novel Fermented Foods Production: A Review

Sea buckthorn fruit is abundant with essential nutrients and bioactive substances, yet it remains less sought after. Therefore, it is valuable to explore new ways of sea buckthorn fruit processing, which can boost consumer acceptance of sea buckthorn fruit and also lead to formulation of new functional foods. In the presented review, we summarize studies focused on development of foods utilizing sea buckthorn fruit or its components and bacterial food cultures. Firstly, we discuss the impact of malolactic fermentation on content and profile of organic acids and polyphenols of sea buckthorn fruit juice. During this process, changes in antioxidant and sensory properties are considerable. Secondly, we address the role of sea buckthorn fruit and its components in formulating novel probiotic dairy and non-dairy products. In this regard, a synergic effect of prebiotic material and probiotic bacteria against pathogens is distinguished. Overall, the potential of sea buckthorn fruit as a botanical ingredient for application in novel foods is highlighted.

Probiotic Dairy Products

Probiotic Dairy Products

Evaluation of indigenous lactic acid bacteria of raw mare milk from pastoral areas in Xinjiang, China, for potential use in probiotic fermented dairy products

In the present study 114 lactic acid bacteria strains, isolated from raw mare milks from pastoral areas for ethnic minorities in northwest China, were screened for probiotic traits, and their characteristics were compared with those of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, a commercial strain. Among the 114 strains identified, the most common species was Pediococcus pentosaceus (n = 52), followed by Leuconostoc lactis (n = 35), Lactobacillus helveticus (n = 7), Lactobacillus plantarum (n = 6), Lactobacillus kefiri (n = 5), Lactobacillus curvatus (n = 4), Lactobacillus paracasei (n = 3), and Lactococcus garvieae (n = 3). Based on acid and bile salt tolerance, 15 strains were further selected. All selected strains were subjected to a series of in vitro tests to assess their technological properties, including cell surface hydrophobicity (13.6-56.2%), autoaggregation ability (9.26-38.30%), coaggregation ability, and heat and lysozyme survival rates (84.74-94.01% and 80.52-99.37%, respectively). In vitro antagonism showed that Lb. plantarum (M5-19, M8-60, M8-59) exhibited the most strong inhibitory activity against 7 tested pathogens. Moreover, antibiotic resistance and hemolytic activity were investigated for safety assessment. No strain exhibited hemolytic activity, and most of the strains were sensitive to a series of 14 antibiotics of clinical importance. Ultimately, the principal component analysis of all data obtained above showed that 2 Lb. plantarum strains (M8-59, M8-60) and Lb. paracasei M1-36 exhibited the best potential for their inclusion as adjunct functional cultures in local fermented dairy products.

Calcium (Ca2+)-regulated exopolysaccharide biosynthesis in probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum K25 as analyzed by an omics approach

Exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing lactic acid bacteria have been widely used in dairy products, but how calcium, the main metal ion component in milk, regulates the EPS biosynthesis in lactic acid bacteria is not clear. In this study, the effect of Ca2+ on the biosynthesis of EPS in the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum K25 was studied. The results showed that addition of CaCl2 at 20 mg/L in a semi-defined medium did not affect the growth of strain K25, but it increased the EPS yield and changed the microstructure of the polymer. The presence of Ca2+ also changed the monosaccharide composition of the EPS with decreased high molecular weight components and more content of rhamnose, though the functional groups of the polymer were not altered as revealed by Fourier transform infrared spectral analysis. These were further confirmed by analysis of the mRNA expression of cps genes, 9 of which were upregulated by Ca2+, including cps4F and rfbD associated with EPS biosynthesis with rhamnose. Proteomics analysis showed that Ca2+ upregulated most of the proteins related to carbon transport and metabolism, fatty acid synthesis, amino acid synthesis, ion transport, UMP synthesis. Specially, the increased expression of MelB, PtlIIBC, EIIABC, PtlIIC, PtlIID, Bgl, GH1, MalFGK, DhaK, and FBPase provided substrates for the EPS synthesis. Meanwhile, metabolomics analysis revealed significant change of the small molecular metabolites in tricarboxylic acid cycle, glucose metabolism and propionic acid metabolism. Among them the content of active small molecules such as polygalitol, lyxose, and 5-phosphate ribose increased, facilitating the EPS biosynthesis. Furthermore, Ca2+ activated HipB signaling pathway to inhibit the expression of manipulator repressor such as ArsR, LytR/AlgR, IscR, and RafR, and activated the expression of GntR to regulate the EPS synthesis genes. This study provides a basis for understanding the overall change of metabolic pathways related to the EPS biosynthesis in L. plantarum K25 in response to Ca2+, facilitating exploitation of its EPS-producing potential for application in probiotic dairy products.

Кисломолочные пробиотические продукты – пища или лекарство?

One of the main strategies for preventing chronic diseases is a balanced diet from early childhood, with the inclusion of functional ingredients: dietary fiber, vitamins and vitamin-like compounds, minerals, polyunsaturated fatty acids, prebiotics and probiotics. A combined enrichment of fermented dairy products with prebiotics and probiotics contributes to the summation of their positive effective influence. Adding prebiotics and probiotics to the diet leads to the change in the intestinal microbiota composition towards a more balanced structure, thereby increasing the intestinal barrier function and the formation of optimal immune interactions. The most commonly used in human nutrition is a combination of bifidobacteria or lactobacilli with fructo-oligosaccharides in synbiotic products. It is important that the microorganisms are safe, stable in storage and able to survive in the gastrointestinal tract. The use of probiotic fermented dairy products has a positive impact on child health: it has anti-infectious and immunomodulatory effects, helps to normalize the gastrointestinal motility. These statements are confirmed by controlled studies in which children aged 8 to 18 months, recovering from acute respiratory disease, for which antibiotic therapy was prescribed, included in the diet drinking yoghurts enriched with Bifidobacterium lactis BB12 and inulin for 3 months. The inclusion of yoghurts in the children’s diet helped to normalize the intestinal microbiota composition after antibiotic therapy, as well as to strengthen the immune system by stimulating the synthesis of protective factors – secretory immunoglobulin A and lysozyme. Key words: fermented dairy products, child nutrition, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, inulin, microbiota, functional foods, immune system, Bifidobacterium lactis BB12

Probiotic Viability and Physicochemical Properties of Set-Yoghurt Made of Indigenous and Exotic Cow Milk

The current study was performed to assess the viability of probiotic bacteria and physicochemical properties of setyoghurt made of milk obtained from two indigenous cattle types [Thamankaduwa white (TW) and Lankan cattle] and two exotic cattle breeds [Jersey and Friesian] rearing in Sri Lanka. Milk samples (n = 180) were collected from individual cattle representing 15 cows per each cattle breed/type. Milk composition of each cattle breed/type was analyzed and setyoghurts were prepared using composite milk samples from each cattle breed/type. Starter culture composed of Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis (BB-12) was used. Total viable counts of yoghurt bacteria and probiotic bacteria, titratable acidity, pH and syneresis were measured to evaluate the quality attributes of set-yoghurt throughout the storage period of 21 days at 4°C. Cattle breed/type had an evident effect on milk composition in relation to milk fat and total solids content. Friesian cattle had the lowest (p<0.05) fat content while TW cattle and Lankan cattle showed significantly higher total solids contents compared to Friesian and Jersey. Yoghurt made of two indigenous cattle types showed the highest (p<0.05) viability for yoghurt bacteria and probiotic bacteria and all set-yoghurts consisted of minimum therapeutic level of probiotic bacteria throughout the entire storage period of 21 days at 4°C. Significantly lower (p<0.05) syneresis was observed in the set-yoghurt produced using TW and Lankan cattle milk while the highest syneresis was observed in the set-yoghurt produced with Friesian milk. Superior milk composition, higher probiotic viability and better technological properties of setyoghurt made of indigenous cow milk suggest the potential use of indigenous cow milk in development of probiotic dairy products supporting the Sri Lankan dairy industry and conservation of valuable local cattle gene pool of the country.

Biochemical, microbiological, and sensory properties of probiotic yogurt made from Iranian native strains compared to commercial strains

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of using native and commercial probiotic strains on biochemical, microbiological, and sensory properties of yogurt. The viability of probiotic bacteria in all samples exceeded 6 log CFU/ml required to provide health benefits. The native Iranian Lactobacillus casei showed the highest viability throughout storage (8.5 log CFU/ml at the end of storage). Three distinct phases were observed in pH, acidity, and redox potential during the fermentation of all samples. Commercial L. casei strain had the lowest mean acidity increase rates and the longest incubation times. The growth of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. Bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus in probiotic yogurt was improved compared to the control yogurt. The control sample had the lowest score in all sensory parameters evaluated. Overall, yogurt containing native Iranian L. casei strain is recommended because of its good sensory and microbial properties. Practical applications Among different functional food products, probiotic dairy products are of great interest and yogurt is the most popular probiotic carrier. In most cases, commercial strains of Lactobacillus and bifidobacteria are incorporated into yogurt and native strains have not been studied widely. In this regard, isolation, characterization, and investigation of the effect of their application in dairy products can be promising in the development of functional dairy products with acceptable qualitative characteristics.

Dairy by-products: characteristics and modern ways of utilization

The unique composition of milk makes this foodstuff an exceptional raw material for the production of new ingredients with good functional properties and the possibility of a various applications in the food industry. Therefore by-products of the milk industry that arise in special technological processes have great importance and application in the production of new generations of ingredients. Fractionation of milk is very important in the development of these products, so it was necessary to make a whole series of studies in this field, especially regarding different levels of fractionation and separation of certain milk constituents during filtration processes. This review is based on the presentation of basic characteristics of by-products which are produced during milk processing, such as whey, skim milk, buttermilk and permeate, and many possibilities of their application. Wide range of products based on dairy byproducts has been produced. Whey proteins and caseins are protein fractions which are excellent emulsifiers and protein supplements. Furthermore, they can be chemically or enzymatically modified in order to produce bioactive peptides with numerous functional and nutritional properties. In this context, techniques that enable more complete utilization of total milk proteins are being developed. Generally, proteins as important part of dry matter of by-products represent an economic and environmental problem if they are not utilized. Phospholipids originating from milk fat are excellent emulsifiers and also known as food components that exhibit excellent pharmacological activity (nutraceutical properties). In addition, the enzymatic modification of milk phospholipids makes it possible to obtain the emulsifiers with the desired functional properties. As dominant component of the dry matter of milk, lactose also has a whole range of good functional properties and allows different types of fermentations depending on the applied starter culture. Therefore it has great application in the food industry. Refined lactose is characterized by a high degree of purity, chemical and physical stability, and as such, it is applied in the pharmaceutical industry as a filler and inert tablet carrier. Also lactose can be used in the chemical industry. However, there are few more aspects to overcome, such as deeper understanding of functional and nutritional properties of these new ingredients that might be barrier for their use and acceptability. In addition, the possibility of using different components of milk dry matter in other industries, such as in the production of plastic materials, paints, textile fibers, etc., are presented in this review. New trends in nutrition, requirements for minimum processed food, ecological aspect of food production are the dominantfactors that have imposed the need for innovative approaches in creating new food products. All of the above have influenced dairy industry in order to expand the diversity of dairy products which meets the needs of the modern consumer, such as low fat and fat free milk products, high protein content products, fortified products with the addition of minerals, vitamins, etc., probiotic and prebiotic dairy products, low lactose and lactose free products, and others. All this points to the innovation potential of dairy by-products, which provides great opportunities for research and the possibility of their application in the processing of milk and dairy products.

Adding value and innovation in dairy SMEs: From butter to probiotic butter and buttermilk

Enhancing the nutritional/economical value of small/medium size dairy enterprises products is important for their survival in a competitive market. Probiotic fermented dairy products is a trend driven by consumer's acceptance of such products. This study intends the production of probiotic butter with the side possibility of buttermilk valorization by confirming the minimum microbial counts required to claim the probiotic properties of the novel products. Pasteurized milk inoculated with commercial probiotic culture was added to cream, alone or combined with aromatic starters and fermented during 34 hr. Probiotic microorganisms counts evaluated throughout cream fermentation present a final value of around 8 Log CFU/ml. Butter presented values higher than 6 Log CFU/g, within the reference values required to be considered as a probiotic, being softer and with higher humidity than conventional butter. Fermented buttermilk, having the potential commercialization as a probiotic dairy beverage, was also obtained representing a significant contribution to the circular economy. Practical applications The use of probiotic fermented dairy products is a trend in the food industry driven by consumer's acceptance and awareness of their health benefits. In this context the production of probiotic butter, with the side possibility of buttermilk valorization, can improve the nutritional and economical value of the products of small/medium size dairy companies contributing for their survival in today's competitive market. This work describes the production process optimization which can also contribute for the valorization of buttermilk through the production of a probiotic drink.

박테리오신 생성 Pediococcus acidilactici 를 적용한 요거트 특성 및 항균성 연구

Physical and sensory characteristics of commercial yogurts are important aspects for consumer acceptability. In addition, beneficial functions of commercial yogurts are also emphasized for the probiotic dairy products. The aim of this study was to investigate the functional properties of yogurts with the combination of bacteriocin-producing Pediococcus acidilactici. Yogurts fermented with commercial starter culture (control yogurt) and control yogurt together with P. acidilactici HW01 (yogurt+HW01), P. acidilactici JM01 (yogurt+JM01), or P. acidilactici K10 (yogurt+K10) were prepared. During 28 days after fermentation, the viability of lactic acid bacteria, pH, and brix, in the yogurt samples were assessed with standard methods. Moreover, to investigate the antilisterial activity of the yogurt samples, Listeria monocytogenes was simultaneously inoculated when the yogurts were prepared with lactic acid bacteria, and the viability of L. monocytogenes was determined. Although yogurt+K10 did not completely remove L. monocytogenes, control yogurt, yogurt+HW01, and yogurt+JM01 eradicated L. monocytogenes at day 2 after fermentation. However, yogurt+K10 also removed L. monocytogenes at day 3 after fermentation. Taken together, these findings suggest that the combination of yogurt with P. acidilactici does not affect its quality and they may consequently aid in the development of new probiotic yogurt.

A symbiotic dessert composed of yam (Dioscorea sp.) and Ubá mango pulp (Mangifera indica L.)

The application of probiotics in dairy products is widely implemented by industries, however, the number of individuals with dietary restrictions is increasing. Thus, there is a growing interest in the development of non-dairy probiotic products. Fruits, tubers, and combinations, offer ample possibilities for the development of functional foods. In this study, a new symbiotic dessert alternative was developed, consisting of yam and Ubá mango pulp. The control dessert (CD), with fiber (DF), with probiotic (DP) and with probiotic and fiber (DPF) were evaluated, during 16 days of storage at 5 °C. The content of β-carotene in desserts varied around 4 mg in 100 g of sample and the total dietary fiber was 8.52 g and 6.53 g in 100 g of the DPF and DP, respectively. The desserts showed a pseudoplastic fluid behavior with initial stress. Average scores greater than 7 (“moderately liked”) were attributed from the sensory analysis. The viability of L. plantarum was greater than 8 log CFU/g. Besides, L. plantarum resisted the gastrointestinal conditions simulated in vitro and maintained the counts above 8 Log CFU/g. Thus, the dessert developed is an excelent matrix for addition of probiotic microorganisms, becoming a new functional food alternative.

Prospects of fermented milk products in children with primary hypolactasia of the adult type

Lactose (β-galactosyl-1,4 glucose) is milk sugar, the main disaccharide of human and other mammalian breast milk. Lactase is intestinal disaccharidase that catalyzes the lactose hydrolysis. The lactase gene LCT controls biological function of the enzyme. The age-related genetically determined feature of disaccharide expression, epigenetic factors, and natural selection with persistent tolerance to milk sugar throughout lifetime has divided the human population according to the LCT gene into two phenotypes: lactase persistent and lactase non-persistent. There is conflicting evidence that the latter phenotype is associated with low calcium absorption and the development of osteoporosis. The regular use of fermented probiotic dairy products by individuals with the lactase non-persistence phenotype ensures the accumulation of peak bone mineralization and prevents osteoporosis.

Assessment of socio-demographic factors, health status and the knowledge on probiotic dairy products

The probiotic dairy products have become the fastest growing in functional foods market in response to the increasing numbers of consumers interested in improving their health. Therefore, data collected from 314 participants in the city of Bursa, Turkey, were analyzed with the aim to assess the socio-demographic characteristics and health status as well as the consumer’s knowledge and awareness of probiotic dairy products in order to gain a better understanding of consumers’ attitudes. It was observed that socio-demographic characteristics of the participants were not significantly associated with the degree of knowledge or awareness and purchasing frequencies of probiotic dairy products. Having a higher educational level, higher income level and being a woman indicated an increased the awareness, knowledge and purchase probability of probiotic dairy products. This study emphasized that consumers should be more informed about the positive relationship between a healthier life and the consumption of probiotic dairy products.