Synbiotic potential of carrot juice supplemented with Lactobacillus spp. and inulin or fructooligosaccharides

BACKGROUND: The influence of the addition of two probiotic strains, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and the prebiotic components inulin and fructooligosaccharides on carrot juice was investigated in order to evaluate the possibility of producing a functional vegetal beverage. RESULTS: Both bacterial strains were capable of growing in carrot juice, reaching nearly 5 x 10(9) colony-forming units after a 48h fermentation, and the pH was reduced to 3.5-3.7 or below. The viable cell counts of the two lactobacilli in the fermented juice after 4 weeks of storage at 4 degrees C, demonstrated good survival of the two strains at low pH. Some biochemical characteristics of the fermented juice, such as beta-carotene content and antioxidant activity, were also preserved, indicating that the metabolism of the Lactobacillus spp. did not degrade these nutritional components after 4 weeks of storage at 4 degrees C. The positive effect was more evident when the juice was inoculated with Lactobacillus rhamnosus. The presence of inulin and fructooligosaccharides did not alter the cell counts or the biochemical characteristics of the fermented juice. CONCLUSION: We propose this as a health juice and functional beverage for vegetarians or consumers who are allergic to dairy products. (c) 2008 Society of Chemical Industry.