Probiotic content in yogurt
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Probiotic Bacteria in Yogurt: Types and Health Benefits
Yogurt is widely recognized as a carrier for probiotic bacteria, especially lactic acid bacteria (LAB) such as Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and others. These probiotics are valued for their ability to synthesize vitamins, enzymes, and bioactive compounds, boost the immune system, and provide bactericidal and antifungal properties, contributing to overall health and longevity 1235.
Probiotic Content Standards in Yogurt
Regulatory frameworks in many regions require probiotic yogurts to contain a minimum number of viable probiotic bacteria to ensure health benefits. For example, Bulgarian and EU standards recommend at least 10^6 colony-forming units (CFU) per gram of yogurt. Most commercial yogurts meet or exceed this standard, with typical counts ranging from 2.6x10^6 to 7.1x10^7 LAB/g, although some products may fall below the recommended threshold 13510.
Survival and Viability of Probiotics in Yogurt
The survival of probiotics in yogurt throughout its shelf life is crucial for delivering health benefits. Factors such as storage time, temperature, and the type of starter culture can affect probiotic viability. Studies show that while the number of viable probiotics may decrease during storage, levels generally remain above the therapeutic minimum (10^6 CFU/g or mL) for the duration of the product’s shelf life 2510. Techniques such as the addition of prebiotics, fruit peel powders, or plant extracts can further enhance probiotic survival and activity 4679.
Functional Ingredients and Probiotic Fortification
Yogurt can be fortified with various functional ingredients, including fruit peel powders, apple pomace flour, and plant extracts, which can increase the nutritional value and support probiotic growth. These additions not only boost the probiotic count but also enhance antioxidant activity, phenolic content, and other health-promoting properties of yogurt 4679. Both dairy and plant-based yogurts can serve as effective carriers for probiotics, with plant-based options like soy milk and tiger nut-date palm milk also showing promising results 68.
Analytical and Quality Considerations
Accurate enumeration of probiotic strains in yogurt is essential for quality control and regulatory compliance. Both culture-dependent and culture-independent methods are used to assess probiotic viability. The choice of method can impact the accuracy of probiotic counts, especially in yogurts containing multiple strains 35.
Conclusion
Yogurt is an effective and popular vehicle for delivering probiotics, with most commercial products meeting recommended probiotic content standards. The addition of functional ingredients can further enhance the health benefits and probiotic viability in yogurt. Ensuring adequate probiotic levels and survival throughout shelf life is key to maximizing the health-promoting potential of probiotic yogurts 12345678+2 MORE.
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