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Approaches for enhancing the viability of probiotics: a review

S. Sarkar (Metro Dairy Limited, Kolkata, India)

British Food Journal

ISSN: 0007-070X

Article publication date: 20 April 2010

2305

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to attempt to highlight various approaches for enhancing the viability of probiotics, with special emphasis on micro‐encapsulation.

Design/methodology/approach

Various techniques, such as selection of acid and bile resistant strains, use of oxygen impermeable packaging materials, two‐step fermentation, stress adaptation, inclusion of micro‐nutrient, sonication of bacteria and micro‐encapsulation, which could be employed for maintaining or enhancing probiotic viability are discussed, with special emphasis on micro‐encapsulation.

Findings

Probiotics lose their viability during gastro‐intestinal transit due to unfavorable intestinal environment. Amongst diverse techniques micro‐encapsulation could confer protection to the probiotics both in the product as well as in the gastro‐intestinal environment.

Originality/value

The paper shows that micro‐encapsulation of probiotics renders them stable both in the product as well as in the intestinal environment and application of encapsulated probiotics would result in a product with greater prophylactic activities.

Keywords

Citation

Sarkar, S. (2010), "Approaches for enhancing the viability of probiotics: a review", British Food Journal, Vol. 112 No. 4, pp. 329-349. https://doi.org/10.1108/00070701011034376

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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