Development and evaluation of probiotic juices fortified with nutraceuticals

Abstract

The development of probiotics has signalled an important advance in the food industry. The health benefits of probiotics have been extensively investigated in the last two decades. This trend has led to increased production of foods enriched with active components such as prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics which are recognized as functional foods. Probiotics are widely used as food supplements, due to scientific newlineevidences supporting the concept that they maintain a healthy gut microflora, provide protection against gastrointestinal disorders including infection and inflammatory syndromes of the bowel. The relationship between food and health is being studied by many researchers. Probiotics are defined as living microbial supplements that beneficially affect the host by improving its intestinal microbial newlinebalancesand#8223;. Probiotic foods are said to be the most important and largest sector in functional food. These probiotics are live microorganisms, which upon consumption in adequate quantities through ingestion, confer beneficial effects on health, in addition to inherent basic nutrition. The stable microflora present in the intestine helps animal to resist infections, particularly those in the gastrointestinal tract. It improves the gut health and also promotes strengthening of the immune system, anti-hypertensive effects, prevents cancer, improves antioxidative effects, reduces dermatitis symptoms, facilitates mineral absorption, reduces allergic symptoms and also improves vulvo vaginal candidiasis in women. Probiotics have also shown for cholesterol-lowering effects in human beings. newline newline newline