The Role of Probiotics in Human Health: Significance, Mechanisms of Action, and Factors Influencing Viability

Background: This review highlights major probiotic strains, challenges in maintaining their viability, and current technological strategies to enhance their stability during processing and storage. Methods: A comprehensive review was conducted using publications from leading nutrition journals and databases like PubMed and Medline. From an initial ۱۱۴ records, ۴۹ relevant studies were selected. Results: Most probiotic formulations include lactic acid bacteria, mainly from the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera. Their viability is affected by environmental factors such as high temperatures, stomach acidity, oxygen exposure, and poor storage conditions. Processing techniques like heat treatment, freeze-drying, spray-drying, and the use of specific ingredients also impact survival. To address these challenges, methods such as strain selection, microbial encapsulation, and application of synbiotics have been applied. Evidence supports the role of probiotic-enriched foods in promoting gut microbial balance, alleviating diarrhea, constipation, and symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Additional benefits include reduced risk of colorectal cancer, improved lactose tolerance, immune modulation, inhibition of Helicobacter pylori, enhanced calcium absorption, and reduced serum cholesterol. Conclusion: Optimizing factors that preserve probiotic viability during food processing and storage is key to ensuring their functionality and health benefits upon consumption.

کلیدواژه ها:

Probiotics ، Functional foods ، Prebiotics ، Encapsulation ، Synbiotics