Masters Degrees (Faculty of Science (former Departments))

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Faculty of Science (former Departments)) by Author "Brink, Marelize"

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    Market and product assessment of probiotics and prebiotics and probiotic strains for commercial use
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2004-03) Brink, Marelize; Senekal, M.; Dicks, Leon Milner Theodore; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Science.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Probiotics (live microbes) and prebiotics (non-digestible food-ingredients) are rapidly gaining interest worldwide as supplements and functional food ingredients but little South African information in this regard is available. Furthermore, the availability of South African produced probiotic concentrates for commercial use is also very limited. The aims of this study therefore were to complete a market and product assessment of probiotic and prebiotic containing products in South Africa and to evaluate probiotic strains for commercial use in South Africa. For the purposes of market and product assessment probiotic and/or prebiotic containing products manufactured in South Africa were identified. The scientific and legal correctness of health and content claims made on the labels of the products were assessed. An exploratory survey was conducted to determine the awareness of South African consumers of probiotics and prebiotics. For the evaluation of probiotic strains for potential commercial use in South Africa, a panel of twelve lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were screened for inhibitory activity against two porcine pathogens and indicator strains from the LMG-panel isolated from the faeces of patients diagnosed with AIDS. The five LAB with the best inhibitory activity were tested for growth in soymilk-base and for the effect of lyophilization on the inhibitory activity thereof. The effect of prebiotics on the growth and inhibitory activity of the strains was tested in vitro. A range of products containing probiotics and prebiotics available on the South African market was identified. Irregulatories concerning health claims on the labels were found, but content claims seemed to be less of a problem. The results also indicate that the proposed South African regulations for the labelling of probiotic and prebiotic containing products need to be revised to include the probiotic and prebiotic related health claims for which sufficient scientific evidence is available. The probiotic strains with potential for commercial use in South Africa that were identified, include Lactobacillus plantarum 423, Lactobacillus casei LHS, Lactobacillus salivarius 241, Lactobacillus curvatus DF38 and Pediococcus pentosaceus 34. These strains were grown successfully in soymilkbase and lyophilization did not have a negative effective on the inhibitory activity thereof. The growth and inhibitory activity of the five LAB were promoted when combined with 1% (w/v) Raftilose® Synergyl . It is concluded that although a variety of probiotic and prebiotic containing products are available on the South African market, the scientific and legislative correctness of especially health related claims is not satisfactory and that South African consumer awareness of these products is low. It is also concluded that a combination of at least three of the five identified LAB and 1% Raftilose® Synergy can be used by South African manufacturers for the production of probiotic and prebiotic containing supplements.