Dual Role of Probiotic Lactic Acid Bacteria Cultures for Fermentation and Control Pathogenic Bacteria in Fruit-Enriched Fermented Milk.

The food industry has been developing new products with health benefits, extended shelf life, and without chemical preservation. Bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains have been evaluated for food fermentation to prevent contamination and increase shelf life. In this study, potentially probiotic LAB strains, Lactiplantibacillus (Lb.) plantarum ST8Sh, Lacticaseibacillus (Lb.) casei SJRP38, and commercial starter Streptococcus (St.) thermophilus ST080, were evaluated for their production of antimicrobial compounds, lactic acid and enzyme production, carbohydrate assimilation, and susceptibility to antibiotics. The characterization of antimicrobial compounds, the proteolytic activity, and its inhibitory property against Listeria (List.) monocytogenes and Staphylococcus (Staph.) spp. was evaluated in buriti and passion fruit-supplemented fermented milk formulations (FMF) produced with LAB strains. Lb. plantarum ST8Sh was found to inhibit List. monocytogenes through bacteriocin production and produced both L(+) and D(-) lactic acid isomers, while Lb. casei SJRP38 mainly produced L(+) lactic acid. The carbohydrate assimilation profiles were compatible with those usually found in LAB. The potentially probiotic strains were susceptible to streptomycin and tobramycin, while Lb. plantarum ST8Sh was also susceptible to ciprofloxacin. All FMF produced high amounts of L(+) lactic acid and the viability of total lactobacilli remained higher than 8.5 log CFU/mL during monitored storage period. Staph. aureus ATCC 43300 in fermented milk with passion fruit pulp (FMFP) and fermented milk with buriti pulp (FMB), and Staph. epidermidis KACC 13234 in all formulations were completely inhibited after 14 days of storage. The combination of Lb. plantarum ST8Sh and Lb. casei SJRP38 and fruit pulps can provide increased safety and shelf-life for fermented products, and natural food preservation meets the trends of the food market.

Fermentation of araticum, baru, and pequi by-products by probiotic strains: effects on microorganisms, short-chain fatty acids, and bioactive compounds.

Fruit by-products, due to their unique chemical composition containing dietary fibers and bioactive compounds, may favor the growth of probiotic strains. This study evaluated the fermentation of araticum, baru, and pequi by-products using Lactobacillus acidophilus (La-5, LA3, and NCFM) and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (Bb-12) probiotic strains. We assessed probiotic viability, short-chain fatty acid levels, and bioactive compound levels after 48 h of fermentation. Araticum and pequi by-products led to counts higher than 6 log CFU/mL after 48-h fermentation for all Lactobacillus strains, but only the araticum by-product supported the growth of the Bb-12 strain. Fermentation of araticum by-product resulted in greater amounts of acetate (39.97 mM for LA3 and 39.08 mM for NCFM) and propionate (0.20 mM for NCFM), while baru by-product showed greater amounts of butyrate (0.20 mM for La-5 and Bb-12). Fermentation of araticum and baru by-products resulted in an increase in bioactive compounds, with the latter showing total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity from 1.4 to 1.7 and from 1.3 to 3.1 times higher, respectively, than the negative control treatment. Araticum by-product exhibited a higher potential for prebiotic effects, and fermentation by the tested probiotic strains is essential to increase bioactive compound levels.

Functional Fermented Milk with Fruit Pulp Modulates the In Vitro Intestinal Microbiota.

The effect of putative probiotic fermented milk (FM) with buriti pulp (FMB) or passion fruit pulp (FMPF) or without fruit pulp (FMC) on the microbiota of healthy humans was evaluated. FM formulations were administered into a simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem (SHIME®) to evaluate the viability of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), microbiota composition, presence of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), and ammonium ions. The probiotic LAB viability in FM was affected by the addition of the fruit pulp. Phocaeicola was dominant in the FMPF and FMB samples; Bifidobacterium was related to FM formulations, while Alistipes was associated with FMPF and FMB, and Lactobacillus and Lacticaseibacillus were predominant in FMC. Trabulsiella was the central element in the FMC, while Mediterraneibacter was the central one in the FMPF and FMB networks. The FM formulations increased the acetic acid, and a remarkably high amount of propionic and butyric acids were detected in the FMB treatment. All FM formulations decreased the ammonium ions compared to the control; FMPF samples stood out for having lower amounts of ammonia. The probiotic FM with fruit pulp boosted the beneficial effects on the intestinal microbiota of healthy humans in addition to increasing SCFA in SHIME® and decreasing ammonium ions, which could be related to the presence of bioactive compounds.

Fruit bioactive compounds: Effect on lactic acid bacteria and on intestinal microbiota.

The benefits of bioactive compounds to human health have been highly explored in recent years; they are widely distributed in nature, mainly in fruits. In this review, the effect of the main fruit bioactive compounds (FBC) on lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and on gut microbiota composition was discussed. The fruit dietary fibers, phenolic compounds, fatty acids, carotenoids, and vitamins have important health benefits. Furthermore, they can interact with LAB and modulate the human intestinal microbiota, which favor the diversity of beneficial bacterial groups, thus providing several benefits to human health, such as reducing weight gain, improving the mucosal barrier function of gastrointestinal (GI) tract against pathogens, decreasing chronic inflammation and incidence of diseases, such as cardiovascular ones, diabetes, hypertension and chronic diseases. Additionally, FBC are able to change the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and inhibit the putrefactive bacteria in the gut. Due to the complex composition of human gut microbiota and variations among individuals, additional research must be carried out to elucidate the mechanism of interaction between the bioactive compounds and the human microbiota.

Fruit by-products as potential prebiotics and promising functional ingredients to produce fermented milk.

Recently, fruit by-products (FBP) have started to be explored due to their prebiotic potential associated with considerable amounts of dietary fibers and polyphenols. These compounds possess anti-inflammatory activity and can reduce dysbiosis, which is characterized by alterations in the composition and function of the gut microbiota and thus may reduce the onset or progression of several diseases. Therefore, the consumption of FBP must be encouraged. Among food products, fermented milk is a potential candidate for carrying FBP. In this scenario, this review discusses the prebiotic potential of FBP and their anti-inflammatory activity and brings a unique contribution, as it highlights fermented milk as a food carrier for FBP. Therefore, the technological application of FBP as a new ingredient to improve the nutritional and functional values of fermented milk, probiotic viability, and the effects of their addition on the physical and sensory characteristics of fermented milk are topics extensively covered in this review. Moreover, we described the chemical composition of FBP, focusing on polysaccharides and bioactive compounds, their obtention methods and potential adverse effects related to their consumption. Finally, limitations and future directions are outlined to deepen the understanding of FBP and to stimulate their use, to prove their prebiotic potential and to optimize their incorporation into fermented milk.

The impact of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on the biochemical, clinical, and immunological markers, as well as on the gut microbiota of obese hosts.

Obesity is currently considered a global epidemic and it leads to several alterations on the human body and its metabolism. There are evidences showing that the intestinal microbiota can influence on the pathogenesis of obesity. Microbiota plays a vital role not only in the digestion and absorption of nutrients, but also in the homeostatic maintenance of host immunity, metabolism, and gut barrier. Its dietary alteration is an important target in the treatment of obesity. Emerging evidence suggests that modifying the composition of the gut microbiota through probiotic, prebiotic, and synbiotic supplementation may be a viable adjuvant treatment option for obese individuals. In this review, the impact of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on the anthropometric profile, biochemical regulation, clinical, and immunological markers, as well as on the gut microbiota of obese hosts is described. It also emphasizes how changes in the composition and/or metabolic activity of the gut microbiota through the administration of nutrients with probiotic, prebiotic, or synbiotic properties can modulate the host's gene expression and metabolism, and thereby positively influence on the host's adipose tissue development and related metabolic disorders. The beneficial effects on the host's metabolism promoted by prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics have been successfully demonstrated by several studies. However, further investigation is needed to fully explain the cellular mechanisms of action of probiotics and prebiotics on human health, and also to elucidate the relationship between microbiota and obesity etiology, using well-designed, long-term, and large-scale clinical interventions.

Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus fermentum Strains Isolated from Mozzarella Cheese: Probiotic Potential, Safety, Acidifying Kinetic Parameters and Viability under Gastrointestinal Tract Conditions.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the probiotic properties of Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus fermentum strains, as well as to select novel and safe strains for future development of functional fermented products. The in vitro auto-aggregation, co-aggregation, hydrophobicity, ß-galactosidase production, survival to gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and antibiotic susceptibility were evaluated. The selected strains were additionally tested by the presence of genes encoding adhesion, aggregation and colonization, virulence factors, antibiotic resistance, and biogenic amine production, followed by the evaluation of acidifying kinetic parameters in milk, and survival of the strains under simulated GIT conditions during refrigerated storage of fermented milk. Most strains of both species showed high auto-aggregation; some strains showed co-aggregation ability with other lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and/or pathogens, and both species showed low hydrophobicity values. Seven L. casei and six L. fermentum strains produced ß-galactosidase enzymes, and ten strains survived well the simulation of the GIT stressful conditions evaluated in vitro. All strains were resistant to vancomycin, and almost all the strains were resistant to kanamycin. L. casei SJRP38 and L. fermentum SJRP43 were distinguished among the other LAB strains by their higher probiotic potential. L. fermentum SJRP43 presented fewer genes related to virulence factors and antibiotic resistance and needed more time to reach the maximum acidification rate (Vmax). The other kinetic parameters were similar. Both strains survived well (> 8 log10 CFU/mL) to the GIT-simulated conditions when incorporated in fermented milk. Therefore, these strains presented promising properties for further applications in fermented functional products.

Aspectos tecnológicos dos substitutos de gordura e suas aplicações em produtos lácteos / Technological aspects of fat substitutes and their applications in dairy products

The consumption of fat related to the incidence of diseases has motivated the development of food with less or even no fat. However, fat is important for the full functioning of the human body and sensory characteristics of food. Therefore, making food with little or no fat and at the same time maintaining the desired quality is a challenge for the industry. Fat substitutes were created to achieve this objective. Fat substitutes can be more effective in their applications when mixtures of different types of them are used. The number and variety of these ingredients are still growing, expanding options of choice when a fat substitute is required in a certain type of food. Considering the importance of fat substitutes nowadays, this paper presents an overview of functions and implications of fats in the human body and food, the terminology used to refer to fat substitutes, the categories of different types of fat substitutes available in the market and their applications in dairy products.

La relación comprobada entre el consumo de grasa y la incidencia de enfermedades ha motivado el creciente interés de los consumidores por productos alimenticios de bajos contenidos o exentos de grasa. Mas las grasas, además de importantes para el pleno funcionamiento del organismo humano, contribuyen para las características sensoriales de los alimentos. Por lo cual, producir alimentos con bajo contenido o sin grasas manteniendo la calidad deseada del producto, es un desafío para la industria. Para solucionar este problema se elaboraron los sustitutos de la grasa, de los cuales existe una gama bastante amplia en propiedades y que aumenta día a día. Sus aplicaciones se muestran más eficientes cuando se utilizan mezclados en diferentes tipos de combinaciones. La cantidad y variedad de estos ingredientes todavía están creciendo y ampliando las opciones para la elección del sustituto a ser utilizado en cada aplicación. Considerando la importancia actual de los sustitutos de grasas, este trabajo presenta una visión general de las funciones de las grasas en el cuerpo humano; las implicaciones de la grasa en el organismo que las consume y en las características de los alimentos; la terminología utilizada para designar los sustitutos de la grasa; las categorías de los distintos tipos de sustitutos de grasa disponibles en lo mercado y las aplicaciones de los sustitutos de grasa en los productos lácteos.

O consumo de gordura relacionado à incidência de doenças motivou o interesse dos consumidores por produtos alimentícios com menor teor ou, até mesmo, sem gordura. Entretanto, as gorduras são importantes para o funcionamento pleno do organismo humano e para as características sensoriais dos alimentos. Por isso, formular alimentos com pouca ou nenhuma gordura e, ao mesmo tempo, manter a qualidade desejada é um desafio para a indústria. Para atender a este objetivo, foram criados os substitutos de gordura. Estes podem ter maior eficiência em suas aplicações quando são utilizadas misturas de diferentes tipos. A quantidade e a variedade destes ingredientes continuam crescendo, ampliando as opções no momento da escolha do substituto a ser utilizado em determinado alimento. Considerando a importância dos substitutos de gordura na atualidade, o presente trabalho apresenta uma revisão sobre as funções e implicações das gorduras no organismo humano e nos alimentos, a terminologia utilizada para referir aos substitutos de gordura, as categorias dos diferentes tipos de substitutos de gordura disponíveis no mercado e suas aplicações em produtos lácteos.