Identification of Phenolics Profile in Freeze-Dried Apple Peel and Their Bioactivities during In Vitro Digestion and Colonic Fermentation.

Freeze-dried apple peel powder (Fd-APP) was subjected to in vitro digestion and colonic fermentation to evaluate the variations in its phenolic composition, bioactivities (antioxidant activity, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase inhibition), and fecal metabolic outputs. A total of 88 phenolics were tentatively identified, of which 51 phenolic compounds were quantitated in Fd-APP sample extracts before digestion, and 34 were released during subsequent phases of digestion. Among these, phenolic acids showed the highest bio accessibility index (BI) of 68%, followed by flavonoids (63%) and anthocyanins (52%). The inhibitory functions of Fd-APP extract against α-amylase and α-glucosidase pre- and post-digestion were moderate and ranged from 41.88 to 44.08% and 35.23 to 41.13%, respectively. Additionally, the antioxidant activities revealed a significant (p ≤ 0.05) decline during the in vitro digestion. However, the colonic fermentation stage presented different products where the intact parent phenolic compounds present in Fd-APP were utilized by gut microbes and produced various phenolic metabolites such as 3- hydroxyphenyl acetic acid (3-HPAA), ferulic acid (FA), 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid (3,4 HPPA) and 4- hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HBA). Furthermore, colonic fermentation of Fd-APP accelerated the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), with acetic acid being the most prevalent (97.53 ± 9.09 mM). The decrease in pH of fermentation media to 4.3 significantly (p ≤ 0.05) enhanced counts of Bifidobacterium (10.27 log CFU/mL), which demonstrated the potential prebiotic effects of Fd-APP. These findings indicated that the consumption of apple peel as a constituent of novel functional foods may support and protect the intestinal microbiota and consequently promote human health.

Probiotic Yoghurt Enriched with Mango Peel Powder: Biotransformation of Phenolics and Modulation of Metabolomic Outputs after In Vitro Digestion and Colonic Fermentation.

This study investigated the health-promoting effects and prebiotic functions of mango peel powder (MPP) both as a plain individual ingredient and when incorporated in yoghurt during simulated digestion and fermentation. The treatments included plain MPP, plain yoghurt (YA), yoghurt fortified with MPP (YB), and yoghurt fortified with MPP and lactic acid bacteria (YC), along with a blank (BL). The identification of polyphenols in the extracts of insoluble digesta and phenolic metabolites after the in vitro colonic fermentation were performed employing LC-ESI-QTOF-MS2. These extracts were also subjected to pH, microbial count, production of SCFA, and 16S rRNA analyses. The characterisation of phenolic profiles identified 62 phenolic compounds. Among these compounds, phenolic acids were the major compounds that underwent biotransformation via catabolic pathways such as ring fission, decarboxylation, and dehydroxylation. Changes in pH indicated that YC and MPP reduced the media pH from 6.27 and 6.33 to 4.50 and 4.53, respectively. This decline in pH was associated with significant increases in the LAB counts of these samples. The Bifidobacteria counts were 8.11 ± 0.89 and 8.02 ± 1.01 log CFU/g in YC and MPP, respectively, after 72 h of colonic fermentation. Results also showed that the presence of MPP imparted significant variations in the contents and profiles of individual short chain fatty acids (SCFA) with more predominant production of most SCFA in the MPP and YC treatments. The 16s rRNA sequencing data indicated a highly distinctive microbial population associated with YC in terms of relative abundance. These findings suggested MPP as a promising ingredient for utilisation in functional food formulations aiming to enhance gut health.

Revisiting phytate-element interactions: implications for iron, zinc and calcium bioavailability, with emphasis on legumes.

Myo-Inositol hexakisphosphate or phytic acid concentration is a prominent factor known to impede divalent element bioavailability in vegetal foods including legumes. Both in vivo and in vitro studies have suggested that phytic acid and other plant-based constituents may synergistically form insoluble complexes affecting bioavailability of essential elements. This review provides an overview of existing investigations on the role of phytic acid in the binding, solubility and bioavailability of iron, zinc and calcium with a focus on legumes. Given the presence of various interference factors within legume matrices, current findings suggest that the commonly adapted approach of using phytic acid-element molar ratios as a bioavailability predictor may only be valid in limited circumstances. In particular, differences between protein properties and molar concentrations of other interacting ions are likely responsible for the observed poor correlations. The role of phytate degradation in element bioavailability has been previously examined, and in this review we re-emphasize its importance as a tool to enhance mineral bioavailability of mineral fortified legume crops. Food processing strategies to achieve phytate reduction were identified as promising tools to increase mineral bioavailability and included germination and fermentation, particularly when other bioavailability promoters (e.g. NaCl) are simultaneously added.[Formula: see text].

Opportunities for plant-derived enhancers for iron, zinc, and calcium bioavailability: A review.

Understanding of the mechanism of interactions between dietary elements, their salts, and complexing/binding ligands is vital to manage both deficiency and toxicity associated with essential element bioavailability. Numerous mineral ligands are found in both animal and plant foods and are known to exert bioactivity via element chelation resulting in modulation of antioxidant capacity or micobiome metabolism among other physiological outcomes. However, little is explored in the context of dietary mineral ligands and element bioavailability enhancement, particularly with respect to ligands from plant-derived food sources. This review highlights a novel perspective to consider various plant macro/micronutrients as prospective bioavailability enhancing ligands of three essential elements (Fe, Zn, and Ca). We also delineate the molecular mechanisms of the ligand-binding interactions underlying mineral bioaccessibility at the luminal level. We conclude that despite current understandings of some of the structure-activity relationships associated with strong mineral-ligand binding, the physiological links between ligands as element carriers and uptake at targeted sites throughout the gastrointestinal (GI) tract still require more research. The binding behavior of potential ligands in the human diet should be further elucidated and validated using pharmacokinetic approaches and GI models.

Impact of elevated carbon dioxide and temperature on strawberry polyphenols.

BACKGROUND: The strawberry cultivars 'Albion' and 'San Andreas' ('SA') were grown under various combinations of day temperature (25 and 30 °C) and carbon dioxide [CO2 ] (400, 650 and 950 µmol mol-1 ) conditions. The influence of different growth combinations on the polyphenol, flavonoid, anthocyanin, antioxidant, and individual phenolic compound content of fresh strawberry fruits was studied. The content of individual phenolic compounds of fresh strawberry fruits was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography - ultraviolet (HPLC-UV). RESULTS: Elevated [CO2 ] and higher temperature caused significant increases in total polyphenol, flavonoid, anthocyanin and antioxidants in both strawberry cultivars when compared with plants grown under ambient conditions. Results of HPLC-UV analysis also revealed that individual phenolic compounds of fruits were also increased with increasing [CO2 ] and temperature. However, the responses were significantly altered by the interaction of elevated [CO2 ] and higher temperature. The individual and interaction effects of [CO2 ] and temperature were also significantly cultivar dependent. The largest amounts of flavonoid (482 ± 68 mg kg-1 FW) and antioxidant (19.0 ± 2.1 µmol g-1 FW) were detected in 'Albion' grown at 30 °C and under 950 µmol mol-1 , and total polyphenol (3350 ± 104 mg GAE kg-1 FW) and anthocyanin (332 ± 16 mg kg-1 FW) in 'San Andreas' grown at 25 °C and 950 µmol mol-1 . CONCLUSION: Strawberry fruit was rich with polyphenols and antioxidants when grown under elevated [CO2 ] and higher temperature. There were also interactions between [CO2 ] and temperature affecting the fruits' content. An increase in the polyphenol and antioxidant content in strawberry fruits would be highly beneficial to human health. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of ultrasound-enhanced fat separation on whey powder phospholipid composition and stability.

Fat from freshly pasteurized liquid whey was partially separated by gravity for 5, 10, and 30min, with and without simultaneous application of ultrasound. Ultrasound treatments were carried out at 400 and 1,000 kHz at different specific energy inputs (23-390 kJ/kg). The fat-enriched top layers (L1) and the fat-depleted bottom layers (L2) were separately removed and freeze-dried. Nonsonicated and sonicated L2 powders were stored for 14d at ambient temperature to assess their oxidative stability. Creaming was enhanced at both frequencies and fat separation increased with higher ultrasonic energy, extended sonication, or both. The oxidative volatile compound content decreased in defatted whey powders below published odor detection threshold values for all cases. Sonication had a minor influence on the partitioning of phospholipids with fat separation. The current study suggested that ultrasonication at high frequency enhanced fat separation from freshly pasteurized whey while improving whey powder oxidative stability.

Influence of pasture-based feeding systems on fatty acids, organic acids and volatile organic flavour compounds in yoghurt.

The influence of different pasture-based feeding systems on fatty acids, organic acids and volatile organic flavour compounds in yoghurt was studied. Pasture is the main source of nutrients for dairy cows in many parts of the world, including southeast Australia. Milk and milk products produced in these systems are known to contain a number of compounds with positive effects on human health. In the current study, 260 cows were fed supplementary grain and forage according to one of 3 different systems; Control (a traditional pasture based diet offered to the cows during milking and in paddock), PMR1 (a partial mixed ration which contained the same supplement as Control but was offered to the cows as a partial mixed ration on a feedpad), PMR 2 (a differently formulated partial mixed ration compared to Control and PMR1 which was offered to the cows on a feedpad). Most of the yoghurt fatty acids were influenced by feeding systems; however, those effects were minor on organic acids. The differences in feeding systems did not lead to the formation of different volatile organic flavour compounds in yoghurt. Yet, it did influence the relative abundance of these components.

Influence of different systems for feeding supplements to grazing dairy cows on milk fatty acid composition.

This study investigated the effects of different strategies for feeding supplements to grazing dairy cows on the proportions of fatty acids in milk. Two hundred and sixteen cows were fed supplementary grain and forage according to one of 3 different strategies; (1) CONTROL: cows grazed perennial ryegrass pasture (14 kg dry matter/d) supplemented with milled barley grain fed in the milking parlour and pasture silage offered in the paddock; (2) Partial mixed ration 1 (PMR1): same pasture allotment and supplement as CONTROL strategy, but the supplements presented as a mixed ration after each milking in feedpad, and; (3) Partial mixed ration 2 (PMR2): same pasture allotment, supplemented with a mixed ration of milled barley grain, alfalfa hay, corn silage and crushed corn grain fed in a feedpad. Within each strategy, cows were assigned to receive either 6, 8, 10 or 12 kg dry matter supplement/cow per d. Milk fatty acid proportions from cows fed CONTROL and PMR1 strategies were similar and different from those fed PMR2, particularly at 10 to 12 kg dry matter supplement/cow per d. The reduction in milk fat yield and concentration in cows fed high amounts of supplement as CONTROL and PMR1 was coincident with 4 × increase in 10t-18:1 proportion. The composition of the partial mixed ration (PMR) and the amount offered affected milk fatty acid proportions and milk fat content, however, the method of supplementation did not.

Hydrolysis of pea protein differentially modulates its effect on iron bioaccessibility, sulfur availability, composition and activity of gut microbial communities in vitro.

Both plant proteins and iron supplements can demonstrate high susceptibility to escape small intestinal digestion and absorption, hence are often present throughout colonic fermentation. Whilst colonic iron delivery may adversely affect the gut microbiota and epithelial integrity, nascent evidence suggests that pea proteins may possess beneficial prebiotic and antioxidant effects during gut fermentation. This study investigated the interaction between exogenously added iron and pea protein isolate (PPI) or pea protein hydrolysate (PPH) during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and colonic fermentation. Results revealed that enzymatic hydrolysis mitigated the crude protein's inhibitory effects on iron solubility during small intestinal digestion. Colonic fermentation of iron-containing treatments led to an increase in iron bioaccessibility and was characterized by a loss of within-species diversity, a marked increase in members of Proteobacteria, and eradication of some species of Lactobacillaceae. Although these patterns were also observed with pea proteins, the extent of the effects differed. Only PPI displayed significantly higher levels of total short-chain fatty acids in the presence of iron, accompanied by greater abundance of Propionibacteriaceae relative to other treatments. Additionally, we provide evidence that the iron-induced changes in the gut microbiome may be associated with its effect on endogenous sulfur solubility. These findings highlight the potential trade-off between protein-induced enhancements in fortified iron bioaccessibility and effects on the gut microbiome, and the role of iron in facilitating colonic sulfur delivery.

Prebiotic Functions of Konjac Root Powder in Chocolate Milk Enriched with Free and Encapsulated Lactic Acid Bacteria.

This study investigated the prebiotic functions of Konjac root powder (KRP) when added to chocolate milk (ChM) enriched with 2% of free or microencapsulated lactic acid bacteria (FLAB or ELAB). The effects of different concentrations of KRP (0%, 2% and 4%) and refrigerated storage time on the physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics of this chocolate milk were examined. The results show that pH significantly declined (p < 0.05), while titratable acidity increased in all ChM samples with KRP and FLAB or ELAB during refrigerated storage. The pH values ranged from 6.0 ± 0.03 in samples enriched ELAB and 4% KRP to 6.33 ± 0.03 in ChM enriched with FLAB and 2% KRP. Viscosity of ChM was affected mainly by the added amounts of KRP and storage time. The largest viscosity (5500 cP) was observed in all samples containing 4% KPR on day zero and decreased significantly (p < 0.05) over storage time to reach 2800 cP in ChM samples containing 0% LAB and 4% KRP after 21 days of storage. Changes in LAB counts proved the initial hypothesis that KRP could act as prebiotics in the presence of LAB using chocolate milk as a carrier. The initial LAB counts in inoculated samples on day zero of refrigeration storage were not significantly different (p > 0.05) among all treatments. However, ChM enriched with 2% and 4% KRP and ELAB revealed significantly (p < 0.05) larger LAB counts (4.91 ± 0.78 and 5.0 ± 0.57 log CFU/mL, respectively) than the control (3.85 ± 0.55 log CFU/mL) after 21 days of storage.

Bioprocessing of Pea Protein can Enhance Fortified Fe But Reduce Zn In Vitro Bioaccessibility.

The bioaccessibility of minerals during food digestion is essential in facilitating absorption and hence mineral bioavailability. Bioprocessing approaches have shown promising effects on Fe and Zn bioaccessibility in plant food matrices. In this study, lactic acid bacteria fermentation or enzymatic hydrolysis was performed on pea protein concentrates (PPCs) to investigate their effects on the bioaccessibility of fortified Fe and Zn salts. Simulated digestion studies revealed that enzymatic hydrolysis was more effective than fermentation. Phytase treatment significantly (P < 0.05) improved Fe3+ bioaccessibility by 5- and 12-fold during fasted and fed digestion stages, respectively. Combined phytase and protease hydrolysis led to a 6- and 15-fold enhancement of Fe3+ bioaccessibility during these stages. None of the bioprocessing approaches led to significant promotive effects on Zn2+ bioaccessibility during fasted or fed digestion. Results of this study show the potential of enzymatic treatment of PPC to significantly promote Fe bioaccessibility.

Using biological metabolites as biomarkers to predict safety and quality of whole and minimally processed spinach.

This study investigated the possible linkage between spinach metabolic biomarkers and their safety and quality during minimally processing and storage. Spinach leaves were treated following the basic minimal processing practices treatments (minimally processed, whole washed, and whole unwashed) and packaged in plastic bags. Significant changes (p < 0.05) in various metabolites biomarkers, physical properties and microbial counts were recorded during the 15 days of refrigerated storage. The contents of vitamin C and polyphenols decreased by 47.82% and 31.62%, respectively, while pH increased from 6.21 ± 0.04 to 6.62 ± 0.04. Furthermore, physical examination revealed significant (p < 0.05) decline in greenness and crispness and increase in yellowness and brownness. Most importantly, CO2 increased gradually and the volatile compounds such as 2-methyl furan, 1-octen-3-ol and 3-octadien-3-one started to emerge after 8 days of storage, while (E)-2-pentenal, (E)-2-hexanal and (Z)-2-hexen-1-ol disappeared. These changes in volatile compounds correlated with the significant (p < 0.05) increase (4.93 log CFUg-1) in the microbial counts and hence can be considered as metabolite markers of quality and safety of spinach.

Viability of Lactobacillus delbrueckii in chocolates during storage and in-vitro bioaccessibility of polyphenols and SCFAs.

This study evaluated the viability of encapsulated Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus in chocolate during storage and in-vitro gastrointestinal transit. Flavonoid contents and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production during gastrointestinal transit were also assessed. Encapsulated L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus survived well in chocolates >7 logs both after 120 days of storage at 4 °C and 25 °C, and during in-vitro gastrointestinal transit. The release of SCFAs through in-vitro gastrointestinal digestion and colonic fermentation revealed that probiotic-chocolates could be an excellent source of nutrients for the gut microbiota. Encapsulated probiotic in chocolates with 70% cocoa produced significantly (P < 0.05) more acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric and isovaleric acids than that with 45% cocoa. The bioconversion results of a specific polyphenol by L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus exhibited that chocolate polyphenols could be utilized by probiotics for their metabolism. These findings confirmed that chocolate could be successfully fortified with L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus encapsulation to improve health promoting properties of chocolates.

Recommended Practices to Eliminate Campylobacter from Live Birds and Chicken Meat in Japan.

Campylobacter food poisoning is one of the major bacterial foodborne diseases resulting in numerous outbreaks worldwide. Particularly in Japan, one-fourth of the total food poisoning is caused by Campylobacter jejuni/coli. Raw and/or undercooked poultry meat and meat products are known as the main cause of campylobacteriosis. Consequently, effective and immediate actions are needed to eliminate or at least reduce campylobacteriosis. This study aimed at examining the Japanese food regulation system, comparing it with those in the USA and Australia, and making necessary recommendations for a better control of campylobacteriosis in Japan. The study was conducted by a thorough investigation of published literatures, governmental documents, statistical and epidemiological data and public information. The results led to recommendations that the Japanese food regulation authority should consider the following suggestions in order to control campylobacteriosis: 1) assess the Campylobacter safety at the end of processing stage of chicken supply chain based on risk assessment using quantitative/qualitative baseline data collected over Japan, 2) establish a national Campylobacter strategy, including specific campylobacteriosis reduction goals and criteria, and 3) provide the small food business operators with sufficient training and support to implement a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) as an obligatory food safety requirement. It is acknowledged that it would be difficult to apply foreign regulations directly to Japanese food regulation system due to differences in food culture, regulation, industry structure, and data collection systems. Thus, flexible application is required. Finding and conducting effective Campylobacter control measures can decrease contaminated live birds and chicken meat in Japan, home to a unique food culture of eating raw and/or undercooked chicken meat called Torisashi such as sashimi, tataki and yubiki chicken. Consequently, potentially available research data may be instrumental in finding solutions for reducing campylobacteriosis. Eliminating Campylobacter food poisoning cases in Japan will be a significant achievement in ensuring Japanese and global food safety.

The role of legume peptides released during different digestion stages in modulating the bioaccessibility of exogenous iron and zinc: An in-vitro study.

The effects of legume protein fractions on Fe and Zn bioaccessibility remain equivocal to date, largely due to the protein's structure and the presence of anti-nutritional compounds. We administered Fe and Zn salts with legume concentrates consisting mainly of albumin or globulin from lupin, pea and faba to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Under the fasted intestinal state, faba globulins were found to enhance Fe2+ and Zn solubility compared to control salts without legume proteins. Meanwhile, other fractions had no effect or significantly lowered Fe and Zn solubility. Under the fed intestinal state, the presence globulins enhanced Fe solubility versus the control, where protein solubilization due to high bile concentration likely played a role in circumventing precipitation. The lupin albumin fraction significantly enhanced Fe2+ and Zn solubility, whilst other fractions generally reduced Zn solubility under fed state. Our results highlight the complex role of legume proteins towards Fe and Zn solubility.

Impact of encapsulating probiotics with cocoa powder on the viability of probiotics during chocolate processing, storage, and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion.

Chocolates can be formulated as a functional food via enrichment with probiotics. However, the added probiotics must overcome the challenges of processing and storage conditions and the harsh gastrointestinal environment. The study aimed to overcome these challenges using two different formulations of cocoa powder as alternative encapsulants along with Na-alginate (A1 ) and Na-alginate and fructooligosaccharides (A2 ). Seven different probiotic strains were encapsulated individually using the new formulations and viabilities of these encapsulated probiotics were assessed prior to and after they were added to chocolates. The highest achieved encapsulation efficiencies were 93.40% for formulation A1 (with Lactobacillus casei) and 95.36% for formulation A2 (with Lactobacillus acidophilus La5). The encapsulated probiotics with the new formulations maintained higher viability than the recommended therapeutic level (107 colony forming unit [CFU]/g) for up to 180 and 120 days of storage at 4 and 25 °C, respectively. The tested encapsulants improved probiotics survival when subjected to thermal stress and maintained about 9.0 Logs CFU/g at 60 °C. Additionally, the viable numbers of probiotics in fortified chocolates showed higher than 7 Logs CFU/g after 90 days of storage at 25 °C. Both formulations exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) high survivability of probiotics (8.0 Logs CFU/g) during the in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. This study demonstrated that cocoa powder along with Na-alginate and FOS has the potential to be used as a probiotic encapsulating material, and chocolates could be an excellent carrier for the development of healthy probiotic chocolate products. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The introduction of cocoa powder as an effective encapsulating agent to deliver probiotics could help the chocolate industry to develop healthy and attractive functional snacks for health-conscious consumers.

Alternative disinfection techniques to extend the shelf life of minimally processed iceberg lettuce.

Chlorination continues to be widely used by the fresh-cut industry for washing and disinfecting minimally processed fruits and vegetables. However, as chlorination has been reported to produce unhealthy by-products such as, chloramines and trihalomethanes, many alternative methods have been reported in the literature. This study examined the use of silver and hydrogen peroxide as possible alternative to chlorination. The results revealed an obvious bactericidal effect of hydrogen peroxide, silver and their combination on spoilage organisms. Combination of electrochemically generated silver (5 ppm) and hydrogen peroxide (0.4 ppm) caused significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the total plate count (0.87 log), Pseudomonas (2.66 logs), Enterobactericeae (1.61 logs) and yeast and mould (1.60 logs) immediately after washing in comparison to water washed shredded lettuce. However, washing with chlorinated water (5 ppm) under same conditions revealed insignificant reduction in TPC (0.17 log), Pseudomonas (0.60 log), Enterobactericeae (0.15 log) or yeast and mould (0.81 log) counts. Results revealed also that both sources of silver (electrochemical silver and silver nitrate) have similar disinfecting effects, however, electrochemical silver maintained the quality of washed lettuce.

Bioaccessibility of micronutrients in fresh and frozen strawberry fruits grown under elevated carbon dioxide and temperature.

Strawberry cultivar "San Andreas" was grown under ambient (400 ppm CO2, 25 °C) and elevated (950 ppm CO2, 30 °C) growth conditions. The strawberries were subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and colonic fermentation to examine the accessibility of polyphenols, vitamin C and folates in fresh and frozen fruits using HPLC-UV analyses. Results revealed that elevated CO2 and higher temperature enhanced the amounts of accessible bioactive compounds in strawberries. Bioaccessibility of pelargonidin-3-glucoside increased from 67% to 88% in strawberries grown under elevated growth. Fresh strawberries grown under ambient growth contained 93.09 ±â€¯6.2 µg/100 g folates and 18.55 ±â€¯0.5 mg/100 g vitamin C as bioaccessible fractions under fed state while, elevated growth enhanced soluble folates and vitamin C up to 188.63 ±â€¯7.5 µg/100 g and 30.48 ±â€¯0.3 mg/100 g, respectively. Fresh strawberries contained higher amounts of accessible micronutrients than frozen strawberries, while increased bile contents in intestinal fluid (fed state) facilitated the release of bioactive compounds to gastrointestinal fluid.

Probiotic Yogurt Fortified with Chickpea Flour: Physico-Chemical Properties and Probiotic Survival during Storage and Simulated Gastrointestinal Transit.

In the present study, probiotic yogurt with Lactobacillus acidophilus LA5 and Bifidobacterium BB12 was produced via fortification with chickpea flour (0, 1, 2.5, 5% w/v). During refrigerated storage for five weeks, probiotics maintained a viable count above the minimum therapeutic level (106 CFU/g) in all yogurt types. Although there was no significant (p > 0.05) positive effect of chickpea flour on probiotic viability during storage, the addition of chickpea flour has beneficial effects on the viability of both probiotic species in the presence of gastric and intestinal juices, with 0.3% bile. This study also evaluated the physio-chemical properties of probiotic yogurt during storage. Some physicochemical properties of yogurt, such as water holding capacity and susceptibility to syneresis, were enhanced by the addition of chickpea flour. Hence, chickpea flour could be an attractive pulse ingredient in the production of probiotic yogurts for health-conscious consumers.

In vitro degradation of curcuminoids by faecal bacteria: Influence of method of addition of curcuminoids into buttermilk yoghurt.

The mode of delivery of curcuminoids in the manufacture of curcuminoid-fortified buttermilk yoghurts was investigated. Curcuminoids were added prior to the addition of yoghurt cultures as powdered curcuminoids or curcuminoids pre-dissolved in ethanol and added to buttermilk prior to or after yoghurt manufacture. Only a small portion (4.6-7.7%) of the total added curcuminoids in yoghurts (299 mg/100 g) was bioaccessible after sequential exposure to simulated gastric and intestinal fluids compared to 10.9% when curcuminoids in ethanolic buffer were delivered. The total potential curcuminoid bioavailability (i.e. bioaccessible curcuminoids + curcuminoids converted by faecal bacteria) delivered in yoghurts was 19-34%, depending on the delivery formats, compared to 37% for curcuminoids delivered in ethanolic buffer. The addition of powdered curcuminoids into buttermilk prior to yoghurt fermentation had 33% total potential bioavailability. This study demonstrated the feasibility of preparing curcuminoid-fortified yoghurt for the functional food market.