Prebiotic properties of licorice root extracts
South Ural State University, Higher School of Medicine and Biology, Department of Food and Biotechology, 85 Lenina Avenue, RU454080 Chelyabinsk, Russia,
*Correspondence author: tcirulnichenkola@susu.ru
Abstract:
The study objective is to investigate effect of licorice root extract on growth of probiotic microorganisms. As fructan percentage in licorice roots is 27.8–28.8%, this value is sufficient to enable the raw material suitability as a prebiotic ingredient. The licorice root extract (0.1%, 1% and 10% of medium volume) was added to media. The same media without added extract were considered as controls. Effect of the licorice root extract on growth of probiotic microorganisms was studied in 2 commercial probiotic drug Bifiform (Denmark) and Bifidobacterin forte (Russia). Licorice root extract provides probiotic bacteria an opportunity to tolerate acidity/alkalinity gradient of model media well and to decrease their count slower. In vitro studies showed, what 1% extract provides more favorable conditions for microorganisms that 10% one.
Key words:
diabetes, fructans, functional food products, intestinal microflora, licorice root