Approaches for Improvement in Digestive Survival of Probiotics, a Comparative Study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare approaches commonly recommended in the literature for the improvement of the survival of probiotics in the human digestive tract. The survival of two probiotics, Lactobacillus casei and Bifi dobacterium lactis, in the presence or absence of prebiotics, maize starch, fermented milk and upon encapsulation in calcium alginate-chitosan was evaluated. While B. lactis was resistant to stomach juice, but sensitive to duodenal juice, L. casei showed an exactly opposite behaviour. In contrast to other published studies, here the overall digestive survivability of probiotics was not improved signifi cantly by prebiotics, maize starch or encapsulation. However, a signifi cant improvement of the overall survivability of B. lactis (but not L. casei) during in vitro digestion was noted in milk and fermented milk, possibly due to reduction of the activity of bile against this probiotic. Summarising, no one method could be universally recommended for the improvement of probiotic survivability. Nevertheless, this research indicated that certain probiotic characteristics, such as susceptibility to bile or acid or ability to utilise matrix components as an energy source, could be used in further research to select the most effective approaches to deliver viable cells into lower parts of the digestive tract.

Overview of the Importance of Biotics in Gut Barrier Integrity

“…Therefore, microorganisms isolated from fermented foods are tested for probioticity [ 85 ]. One of the main criteria set for strains isolated from fermented foods is the capacity to survive in conditions of the gastrointestinal tract (tolerance to bile salts, acid, pepsin and pancreatin) was assessed [ 86 ].…”

Preserving probiotic potency: A comparative study of storage methods for Lactobacillus fermentum MT308789 And Lactobacillus oris MT308790

“…Probiotics are living microorganisms, primarily bacteria and yeast, that confer health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. These beneficial microorganisms play a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of the gut microbiota, which is essential for digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function [1,2]. Probiotics have been associated with various health benefits, including alleviating gastrointestinal disorders, boosting immune function, and even promoting mental well-being [1,[3][4][5].…”

The Manifold Bioactivity and Immunoreactivity of Microbial Proteins of Cow and Human Mature Milk in Late Lactation

“…The MP profile and abundance, despite the mortality of microorganisms and changes in the microbiota composition during individual processes (e.g., pasteurization, normalization, fermentation, and digestion in the gastrointestinal tract), depends invariably on the initial microbiological quality of the raw material [ 15 , 16 ]. The hygienic limits for raw mammalian milk have been scrupulously established and normalized by the European Union (Regulation (EC) No.…”