Register      Login
Microbiology Australia Microbiology Australia Society
Microbiology Australia, bringing Microbiologists together
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Future probiotic foods

Van TT Ho A and Mark S Turner A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia

B Email: m.turner2@uq.edu.au

Microbiology Australia 41(2) 58-60 https://doi.org/10.1071/MA20017
Published: 5 May 2020

Abstract

Foods containing edible probiotic bacteria, most commonly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, form a multi-billion-dollar industry worldwide. Currently marketed foods containing probiotics are mostly dairy based with yoghurts and fermented milks dominating the industry. Alternative foods as carriers of probiotics are being examined to reduce or eliminate lactose intolerance issues. Food categories including fruit juices, cheese, chocolate and even beer have been shown to be suitable for probiotic delivery. In addition, technologies such as encapsulation in food-grade alginate gels have allowed for improved probiotic survival in certain foodstuffs. We have explored the use of ready-to-eat vegetables such as baby spinach as carriers for commercial probiotics and found that high dose (>8 log CFU/g) can be achieved without having negative effects on appearance, taste or aroma. Leafy greens as well as other foods and beverages may be suitable probiotic containing new food products in the future.


References

[1]  Reid, G. (2016) Probiotics: definition, scope and mechanisms of action. Best Pract. Res. Clin. Gastroenterol. 30, 17–25.
Probiotics: definition, scope and mechanisms of action.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27048893PubMed |

[2]  Martín, R. and Langella, P. (2019) Emerging health concepts in the probiotics field: streamlining the definitions. Front. Microbiol. 10, 1047.
Emerging health concepts in the probiotics field: streamlining the definitions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 31164874PubMed |

[3]  Reid, G. et al. (2018) Expanding the reach of probiotics through social enterprises. Benef. Microbes 9, 707–715.
Expanding the reach of probiotics through social enterprises.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29798708PubMed |

[4]  Gardiner, G. et al. (1999) Evaluation of Cheddar cheese as a food carrier for delivery of a probiotic strain to the gastrointestinal tract. J. Dairy Sci. 82, 1379–1387.
Evaluation of Cheddar cheese as a food carrier for delivery of a probiotic strain to the gastrointestinal tract.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 10416157PubMed |

[5]  Possemiers, S. et al. (2010) Bacteria and chocolate: a successful combination for probiotic delivery. Int. J. Food Microbiol. 141, 97–103.
Bacteria and chocolate: a successful combination for probiotic delivery.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20452073PubMed |

[6]  Panghal, A. et al. (2018) Potential non-dairy probiotic products – a healthy approach. Food Biosci. 21, 80–89.
Potential non-dairy probiotic products – a healthy approach.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[7]  Sohail, A. et al. (2011) Survivability of probiotics encapsulated in alginate gel microbeads using a novel impinging aerosols method. Int. J. Food Microbiol. 145, 162–168.
Survivability of probiotics encapsulated in alginate gel microbeads using a novel impinging aerosols method.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21276627PubMed |

[8]  Sohail, A. et al. (2012) Evaluation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM encapsulated using a novel impinging aerosol method in fruit food products. Int. J. Food Microbiol. 157, 162–166.
Evaluation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM encapsulated using a novel impinging aerosol method in fruit food products.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22633536PubMed |

[9]  Sanni, A. et al. (2013) Characterization and technological properties of lactic acid bacteria in the production of ‘Sorghurt’, a cereal-based product. Food Biotechnol. 27, 178–198.
Characterization and technological properties of lactic acid bacteria in the production of ‘Sorghurt’, a cereal-based product.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[10]  Alcine Chan, M.Z. et al. (2019) Survival of probiotic strain Lactobacillus paracasei L26 during co-fermentation with S. cerevisiae for the development of a novel beer beverage. Food Microbiol. 82, 541–550.
Survival of probiotic strain Lactobacillus paracasei L26 during co-fermentation with S. cerevisiae for the development of a novel beer beverage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 31027817PubMed |

[11]  Soukoulis, C. et al. (2014) Probiotic edible films as a new strategy for developing functional bakery products: the case of pan bread. Food Hydrocoll. 39, 231–242.
Probiotic edible films as a new strategy for developing functional bakery products: the case of pan bread.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25089068PubMed |

[12]  Rubio, R. et al. (2013) Probiotic strains Lactobacillus plantarum 299V and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG as starter cultures for fermented sausages. Lebensm. Wiss. Technol. 54, 51–56.
Probiotic strains Lactobacillus plantarum 299V and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG as starter cultures for fermented sausages.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[13]  Rivera-Espinoza, Y. and Gallardo-Navarro, Y. (2010) Non-dairy probiotic products. Food Microbiol. 27, 1–11.
Non-dairy probiotic products.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19913684PubMed |

[14]  İcier, F. et al. (2015) Changes on some quality characteristics of fermented soy milk beverage with added apple juice. Lebensm. Wiss. Technol. 63, 57–64.
Changes on some quality characteristics of fermented soy milk beverage with added apple juice.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[15]  Heenan, C.N. et al. (2004) Survival and sensory acceptability of probiotic microorganisms in a nonfermented frozen vegetarian dessert. Lebensm. Wiss. Technol. 37, 461–466.
Survival and sensory acceptability of probiotic microorganisms in a nonfermented frozen vegetarian dessert.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |