Usage of Inulin, Lemon, Carrot and Pea Fibers as Prebiotic for Bifidobacteriun Animalis Subsp. Lactis (BB-12)

Abstract

Prebiotics, contain oligosaccharides, lignin, resistant starch, tannins and associated plant substances, stimulate growth of probiotic organisms. A lot of dietary fibers (DF) are used as prebiotics in foods. In this study, it was investigated if inulin, lemon, carrot and pea fibers have prebiotic effect or not on Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (Bifidobacterium BB-12). For this purpose skimmed milk was inoculated with Bifidobacterium BB-12 fortified with different DF, such as inulin, lemon, carrot and pea fibers. According to the results inulin and pea fiber stimulated Bifidobacterium BB-12, whereas lemon and carrot fibers had no prebiotic effect on Bifidobacterium BB-12. The highest prebiotic effect of inulin and pea fiber were found at a level of 2%.