Dairy Processing - November/December 2022 - 33

FORMULATIONS
FUELING
MICROBIOTA
ACTIVITY
Prebiotics are the
fuel for probiotics to
proliferate in order to
positively impact the
body. Prebiotics are
frequently equated
with dietary fibers,
but only a subset of
dietary fibers actually
qualify as prebiotics.
Further, according to
the broad scientific
definition from
the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and
Prebiotics (ISAPP), prebiotics need not be forms of dietary
fiber.
" There are very few fermentable fibers, so-called
prebiotics, that specifically nourish the beneficial bacteria
being naturally present in the intestinal tract, ensuring their
optimal development, " said Anke Sentko, vice-president
regulatory affairs and nutrition communication, BENEO,
Mannheim, Germany. " The promotion of growth of these
beneficial bacteria includes the natural production of healthy
metabolites to nourish the gut. "
A systematic literature review with meta-analyses
published in July 2022 in Critical Reviews
in Food Science and Nutrition,
showed that chicory root fiber
intake (starting at 3 grams per
day) promotes significant growth
of Bifidobacteria in the gut
microbiome in all age groups
and improves bowel function
parameters. It is the first study of
this kind, based on randomized
control trials, that has investigated
the effect of inulin-type fructans
derived from chicory root on
Bifidobacteria abundance in
gut microbiota and healthrelated
outcomes.
" Following the highest quality
scientific evidence methodology, the
prebiotic effect of inulin-type fructans
sourced from the chicory root is
confirmed, " Sentko said. " It yet again
shows that integrating chicory root
32 NOV-DEC 2022 | DAIRYPROCESSING.COM
fibers into a person's daily diet supports Bifidobacteria and thus
their gut microbiome, while also improving the bowel functions
of the very young to the very old. "
The company recently expanded its prebiotic chicory
root fiber portfolio with an organic option. It is grown and
harvested by certified organic farmers in Belgium, with the
benefit of USDA organic equivalency.
" These natural prebiotic fibers function in the same way
as the non-organic variety to improve taste and texture, "
said Kyle Krause, product manager-functional fibers and
carbohydrates for BENEO North America, Parsippany,
NJ. " They also allow for fat and sugar reduction while
adding health benefits in products across key applications,
including dairy and alt-dairy. From a technical perspective,
these prebiotic fibers have good solubility and are easily
incorporated into a variety of dairy and alt-dairy products. "
In almond milk, for example, chicory root fiber delivers a
natural creamy mouthfeel, and can even provide a pleasant
sweetness, helping to alleviate any off flavor, Krause said.
WELCOMING POSTBIOTICS
Postbiotics are an entirely new category of functional
ingredients. They do away with the need to add probiotics by
being the healthy metabolites that the microbiome produce,
the compounds that possess the actual health benefit. This
includes an array of enzymes, peptides, organic acids, fatty
acids and more.
The ISAPP published a consensus definition on postbiotics
Lifeway, Beneo
http://www.DAIRYPROCESSING.COM
Dairy Processing - November/December 2022

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