Prebiotics are food substances that promote the growth of certain bacteria (generally beneficial) in the intestines. Prebiotics are non digestible food ingredients that selectively stimulate the growth and activity of beneficial microorganisms already in people colons.

1. PREBIOTICS
Subject-Food
Microbiology
BY-
Ms. Ayushi Sharma
Faculty of MSc
Microbiology

2. PREBIOTICS
Prebiotics are food substances that promote the growth of certain
bacteria (generally beneficial) in the intestines.
Prebiotics are non digestible food ingredients that selectively
stimulate the growth and activity of beneficial microorganisms
already in people colons.
When probiotics and prebiotics are mixed together, they form a
Synbiotic.
Prebiotics are the substances,which reach to colon in intact form
i.e., without getting depleted by the gastric pH and digestive acids.

3. These prebiotics also selectively promote the growth of coloneal
probiotic bacteria; hence they acts as fertilizers for these bacteria.
These are collective term for non-digestive but a fermentable dietary
carbohydrate that may selectively stimulates growth of certain bacterial
groups ,Lactobacilli considered to be beneficial for the human host.
Inulin ,which is soluble dietary fibres and resistant to digestive enzyme
and thus reaches to large intestine or colon essentially intact, where it is
fermented by resistant bacteria,Lactobacilli and feel themselves on it.

4. PREBIOTICS in the Diet :
oPrebiotics that feed the beneficial bacteria in our gut mostly come from
the carbohydrate fibres called Oligosaccharides.
oWe do not digest them,so the oligosaccharides remain in the digestive
tract and stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria.
oSources of oligosaccharides include fruits,legumes and whole grains.
oFructo –oligosaccharides maybe taken as a supplement or added to
foods.
oYogurt made with Bifidobacteria contain oligosaccharides.

5. SOURCES
Traditional dietary sources of prebiotic include soybeans,inulin sources,raw
oats,unrefined wheat and unrefined barley.
Some of the oligosaccharides that naturally occur in breast milk are believed to
play an important role in the development of a healthy immune systems in
infants.
Wheat ,honey and many other foods contain prebiotics to a greater or lesser
extent , ranging from fairly large portions (chicory roots) to only trace
quantities ( thousands of other plant – based foods.

7. TOP 10 FOODS CONTAINING
PREBIOTICS
FOOD PREBIOTIC
Raw Banana
Raw Chicory Roots
Raw Garlic
Raw Onion
Cooked Onion
Raw Leek
WholeWheat Flour,Cooked
Raw Asparagus
Raw Wheat Bran
Raw Dandelion Greens
FIBRE CONTENT BYWEIGHT
1%
64.6%
17.5%
8.6%
5%
11.7%
4.8%
5%
5%
24.3%

8. PROBIOTICS
According to the currently adopted definition by FAO(FOOD AND
AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS)-
PROBIOTICS are live microorganisms ,which,when administerated in
adequate amounts,confer a health benefit on the host.
Probiotics are food and health products that contribute live,beneficial microbes
to the populations within our gut and elsewhere,in order to strengthen those
communities. They are meant to prevent and treat dysbiosis.
In simple words ,Probiotics are dietary supplements containing potentially
beneficial bacteria and yeast.

9. MICROBES IN PROBIOTICS
 Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) and Bifidobacteria are the most common types of
microbes used as probiotics;but certain yeasts and bacilli may also be hepful.
 Probiotics are commonly consumed as a part of fermented foods with specially
added active live cultures ;such as Yogurt,Soy Yogurt or as dietary supplements.
 Health benfits have mainly been demonsterated for specific probiotic strains of
some genera including –
Lactobacillus,Bifidobacterium,Saccharomyces,Enterococcus,Streptococcus,Ped-
iococcus,Leuconostoc,Bacillus,Escherichia
 Probiotics are thought to beneficially affect the host by improving its intestinal
microbial balance,thus inhibiting pathogen and toxin producing bacteria.

10. PROBIOTIC FOODS
Probiotics are live microbes that have health benefits when consumed.These
beneficial bacteria provide all sorts of powerful benefits for our body.They may:
• Improve digestive health
• Reduce depression
• Promote heart health
• Boost immunity
Consuming probiotics in supplement form is one popular way to get them,but we
can also get them from fermented foods.

11. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

12. Uses for Health Purpose
1) Probiotics when taken in sufficient amounts ,they can help restore the natural
balance of gut bacteria.
2) Probiotics can reduce the risk and severity of Diarrhea from a number of
different cases.
3) Probiotics may also help improve symptoms of mental health disorders such
as depression ,anxiety , stress and memory.
4) Protect the heart by reducing “bad” LDL Cholesterol levels and modestly
lowering blood pressure.
5) Help to reduce the symptoms of bowel movement related disorders.
6) Help to lose weight and belly fat.