Project Abstract

Development of a Probiotic-Enriched Functional Food Product This project aims to develop a novel functional food product enriched with probiotic strains that can provide a range of health benefits to consumers. Probiotics, defined as live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host, have gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential to modulate the gut microbiome and promote overall well-being. The importance of this project lies in the growing demand for functional foods that can offer additional nutritional and health-promoting properties beyond their basic nutritional value. Consumers are increasingly seeking out products that can provide tangible health benefits, such as improved digestion, enhanced immune function, and reduced risk of chronic diseases. By incorporating probiotic strains into a food product, this project aims to address this consumer need and develop a convenient and accessible way for individuals to incorporate probiotics into their daily diets. The project will begin with an extensive literature review to identify suitable probiotic strains that possess the desired characteristics, such as survivability in the gastrointestinal tract, antagonistic activity against pathogenic microorganisms, and potential health benefits. A thorough evaluation of the functional and technological properties of the selected probiotic strains will be conducted, including their viability, stability, and compatibility with the food matrix. The next phase of the project will focus on the development of the probiotic-enriched functional food product. This will involve the selection of an appropriate food base, such as a dairy-based product or a plant-based alternative, and the optimization of the formulation and processing conditions to ensure the optimal survival and activity of the probiotic strains throughout the product's shelf life. Sensory evaluation and consumer acceptance testing will be a crucial component of the project, as the developed product must not only be health-promoting but also appealing to the target consumers. A panel of trained sensory evaluators and a representative sample of the target consumer group will be engaged to assess the product's organoleptic properties, such as appearance, aroma, taste, and texture, as well as overall acceptability. In addition to the development of the probiotic-enriched functional food product, the project will also investigate the potential health benefits associated with the consumption of the product. This will involve in vitro and potentially in vivo studies to evaluate the product's impact on various health-related parameters, such as gut microbiome composition, immune function, and metabolic markers. The findings of this project are expected to contribute to the growing body of knowledge in the field of functional foods and probiotics. The successful development of a probiotic-enriched functional food product that is both scientifically validated and commercially viable can provide consumers with a convenient and effective way to incorporate probiotics into their diets, potentially leading to improved gut health and overall well-being. The project may also inspire further research and development in the area of innovative functional food products that leverage the power of probiotics to promote human health.

Project Overview