PDF《molecules》

390 million Euro [4]. A prebiotics is a non-digestible and selectively fermented ingredient that allow specific changes, both in the composition and/or activity in the gastrointestinal microbiota that confers benefits upon host well-being and health [5]. They cannot be digested by α-amylase or other hydrolases in the upper gut section of the intestinal tract [6]. In general, prebiotics can be considered as a '

food'

for probiotics. Probiotics can be defined as live microbial food supplements which benefit the health of consumers by maintaining or improving their intestinal microbial balance [7]. Human intestinal microbiota is composed of more than

400 bacterial species, which make it a complex bacterial ecosystem. Bifidobacteria and lactobacilli are predominant members of the gut microbiota, with Bifidobacteria make up about 25% of the total number of bacteria present. They are best known for their beneficial and health promoting properties [8]. This allows Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus genera being the most important probiotic strains for human use [9]. Many symbiotic relationships between probiotics and prebiotics have been studied in order to maximize their beneficial effects. Both bifidobacteria and lactobacilli were best known to utilize prebiotics in the GI tract, based on the fact that they contain relatively high amount of β-fructosidase and glycotransferases, respectivelys which enable them to break down polymers (the prebiotic) into smaller units and make it available as a substrate during fermentation [10,11]. Organic acids will be produced by lactic acid bacteria as a result of fermentation, thus providing an acidic environment in the colon which indirectly suppresses the growth of pathogens. This mechanism allows prebiotics to manipulate the composition of colonic microbiota in human gut [12], thus improving the host health [13] in return. These include enhancement of immune function, improve digestion and elimination of faeces as well as reducing the potential of getting irresistible bowel syndrome (IBS) [14]. Molecules 2012,

17 1637 Many studies have now confirmed that the prebiotics incorporated in the diet are a valid approach to the dietary manipulation of the colonic microbiota. This concept has gained global attention and is being manipulated for human health purposes. Because of increasing demand for prebiotics, there is a need to find a new source of prebiotics which is relatively low price as compared to commercially available prebiotics. Extensive studies are now focused on th........