Adding the prebiotic inulin to yoghurt boosted the growth of
probiotic bacteria and, when used in a novel double-
microencapsulation, extended the survival rates of the friendly
bacteria. The new research taps into the trend of probiotic
encapsulation to extend by looking at the potential of seven
prebiotic substrates on the viability of Lactobacillus
acidophilus ATCC 43121 and the efficacy for the production of
prebiotic-encapsulated probiotic. "In the present study, the
growth of L. acidophilus ATCC 43121 was significantly increased
in the presence of three selected prebiotic substrates, FOS,
lactulose and raffinose," wrote lead author Eun Ann in the
International Journal of Food Science and Technology. L.
acidophilus has been linked to a number of health benefits,
including improved immune system, lowered cholesterol contents,
improved lactose intolerance, and reduction in occurrence of
diarrhea in children and adults. Probiotics are bacteria found
in the gut that are understood to have health benefits. Pre