Probiotic Fermented Beverage From Macroalgae

Abstract

We have tested the hypothesis that a fermented beverage from the macroalgae Hydropuntia eucheumatoides exhibits antioxidant and enzymatic activity. The macroalga was hydrolyzed (maximum hydrolysis yield: 78%) with a mixture of the enzymes viscozyme and lactozyme. Then, the hydrolyzate was fermented with Lactobacillus casei and Saccharomyces boulardii. This beverage contained oligosaccharide prebiotics. The lactic acid, acetic acid, ethanol, methanol, cell count, pH, and heavy metal content of the beverage were determined. All tested heavy metals were either not detected (eg, As) or within the US Food and Drug Administration limits (eg, Fe).