Prebiotics are substances that can promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms, mainly in the intestinal tract, and will modify the colonic microbiota. The following health benefits are attributed to prebiotics: relief from poor digestion of lactose, increased resistance to bacterial infection, better immune response and possible protection against cancer, reduction of the risk of diseases such as intestinal disease, cardiovascular disease, non-insulin dependent diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis. This article presents a discussion of prebiotics, with descriptions of the concepts and its use in clinical practice, and a review of some recent research showing the benefits that these ingredients provide to human health and providing data on the recommended intakes for consumption

Resumo -As mudanças no processamento e a crescente exigência do consumidor por alimentos que apresentem, além da alta qualidade sensorial e nutricional, benefícios associados à saúde, fazem surgir à necessidade de novos ingredientes que possam atender a estas exigências do mercado. Objetivou-se com o presente trabalho comparar a aceitação de diferentes formulações de bolo de cenoura sem glúten com óleo de milho e, com glúten e óleo de milho e palma por consumidores; determinar a composição nutricional dos mesmos bem como a intenção de compra. As formulações de bolo de cenoura isentos de glúten (BIG) foram compostas por dois mix isentos de glúten (MIX-1 e MIX+1), o bolo de cenoura com glúten e óleo de milho (BGOM) considerado como padrão e bolo de cenoura com glúten e óleo de palma (BGOP) que foi preparado com duas diferentes proporções de óleo de palma (80 e 100 g). Avaliou-se o valor nutricional, preferência e intenção de compra. Os bolos das formulações BIG MIX-1 e BGOP 80 g apresentaram valor nutricional, preferência e intenção de compra comparáveis ao da formulação padrão. Portanto, o MIX-1 e o óleo de palma podem ser utilizados como ingredientes para formular bolo de cenoura, fornecendo produtos com características que atendem às exigências do mercado consumidor.Palavras-chave -Análise Sensorial. Celiaco. Gordura Trans.Abstract -The changes in the processing and the consumer's growing demand for foods that present, besides the high sensorial and nutritional quality, benefits associated to the health raise the necessity of new ingredients that can assist their needs and also the market's demand. The current project had as its objective the comparison in the acceptance of different formulations of carrot cake without gluten with wheat germ oil and with gluten and wheat germ oil and palm for consumers; to identify the nutritional composition of these ones as well as the purchase intention. The obtained cakes with the formulations of BIG, BGOM and BGOP, were appraised in their chemical and physical properties, preference and purchase intention. The cakes with the formula BIG MIX-1 and BGOP 80 g presented chemical properties, physics, preference and purchase intention comparable to the ones of the standard formula. Therefore, MIX-1 and the oil of Palm can be used as ingredients to formulate carrot cake, supplying products with characteristics that assist the demands of the market.

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