aziz homayouni rad

The escalating demand for hydrocolloids exhibiting exceptional performance has encouraged the interest of researchers in identifying novel sources of these hydrocolloids. Encapsulation has emerged as a strategy to boost the survivability of probiotics in harsh environmental conditions, enabling these beneficial bacteria to be transported to the body in sufficient quantities to leverage their health-promoting effects. This study aimed to explore the viability of microencapsulating probiotic L. acidophilus using ammoniacum gum (AMG), enhancing it with nanoselenium, and ascertaining its survival rate in stressful conditions. AMG, extracted from the mucilage of the Dorema Ammonacum plant using solvent and alcohol precipitation, was employed in the study. Solutions comprising 1%, 5%, and 10% weight-volume of AMG were prepared, followed by the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles at a concentration of 1.5%. Bacterial cells with an average count of 6.85×1011 log CFU were then introduced into the suspension. Observations revealed a substantial increase in encapsulation efficiency, rising from 66% to 81% with the escalation of gum concentration. The survival rates under refrigerated conditions for 1%, 5%, and 10% concentrations of AMG were recorded at 62.43%, 72.37%, and 81.83%, respectively. In simulated stomach conditions, at the pH levels applied in this study, concentrations of 5% and 10% of AMG exhibited sustained live cell counts exceeding 7 log cfu g-1 after 3 hours of incubation. Additionally, after a 6-hour incubation in a 10 g L-1 bile solution, free cells exhibited a reduction of 5.93 log cfu g-1, whereas micro-encapsulated cells at concentrations of 1%, 5%, and 10% demonstrated reductions of only 3.93 log cfu g-1, 3.15 log cfu g-1, and 1.9 log cfu g-1, respectively. These findings underscore the excellent encapsulation properties of AMG, locating it as a promising candidate for integration into numerous food formulations with similar objectives.

Physical, chemical, and biological hazards are among the factors that commonly threaten food safety. In this regard, biological hazards are significant. In the meantime, bacteria play a substantial role in causing food spoilage and foodborne illness. In addition, a new approach has been adopted in recent years based on probiotics and postbiotics. In this approach, the growth and proliferation of pathogens causing infection and spoilage are controlled using these compounds, which have a safe origin and significant antimicrobial effect. Recent studies have indicated that postbiotics could be an appropriate alternative to living probiotic cells and be used as new antimicrobial agents. The main antimicrobial mechanisms of postbiotics include acidification of cellular cytoplasm, inhibition of energy regulation and production, suppression of growth of pathogenic microorganisms by pore formation in cell membranes, morphological and functional changes of sensitive components (e.g., proteins and peptides) by acidification of cytoplasm, and stimulation of oxidation pathways in bacterial cells. Consequently, current scientific literature confirms that postbiotics, due to their unique properties, can be used as a new and promising approach for the growth and proliferation control of pathogenic and spoilage agents in food matrices and the production of functional foods.

Ultrafiltration is a technique used for concentration of milk in order to produce the cheese with more desirable physicochemical and nutritional properties. On the other hand, use of combined starter cultures for cheese production can led to improve the sensory characteristics and overall acceptability of final product. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of using different combinations of Lactobacillus helveticus (L. helveticus) and mesophilic starter culture (Lactobacillus lactis ssp. lactis and Lactobacillus lactis ssp. cremoris) on the volatile compounds and sensory characteristics of ultrafiltered white cheese during ripening. Five ultrafiltered white cheeses were produced using mesophilic starter culture and L. helveticus at different ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100) and kept in refrigerator (9 ± 0.1°C) for 90 days. The related analysis was performed on 1, 30, 60 and 90 days of ripening. The results revealed that an increase in L. helveticus ratio caused a significant increase in the Co2, ethanol, ethylene oxide and a significant decrease in the acetone (p<0.05). Regarding sensory properties, lower scores of body and texture, and higher scores of odor and flavor were assigned to the cheeses produced using higher ratios of L. helveticus (p<0.05).  In conclusion, the use of combinations of mesophilic starter culture and L. helveticus at specific ratios (75:25 and 25:75) led to improve the volatile compounds in the final product and production an ultrafiltered cheese with desirable sensory characteristics.

 Inactivated probiotics provide various health and technological benefits, making them appropriate for the production of functional dairy products. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of adding nonviable probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 and Lacticaseibacillus casei 431) to doogh (a typical Iranian fermented milk drink).

 Probiotics were inactivated by heat or sonication and added to the samples before or after fermentation. Various parameters such as pH, titratable acidity, redox potential, antioxidant capacity, color, viscosity, and phase separation, viability of traditional starter bacteria and probiotics and sensory characteristics were assessed during fermentation and refrigerated storage at 5 °C.

 Sonicated probiotic-containing treatments included the highest pH decrease rate (0.011 pH min-1) during fermentation, as well as the highest antioxidant capacity (16.45%) and viscosity (35.15 mPa.s), while heat-inactivated probiotic- containing treatments included the lowest viscosity (17.60 mPa.s). Treatments with viable probiotics reasonably included the highest post-acidification rate during storage (4.14 °D d-1), compared to those containing nonviable cells, as well as the minimum phase separation rate. The b* and L* values of color did not differ significantly within treatments, but the highest a* value was observed in the treatments with sonication. The highest populations of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus (log 11,891 cfu ml-1) and Streptococcus thermophilus (log 14,977 cfu ml-1) at the end of the storage were observed in treatments with heated probiotics (compared to viable probiotics) and treatments with sonicated probiotics, respectively. In addition, Lactobacillus acidophilus was more susceptible than Lacticaseibacillus case and included lower viability. Taste, mouth feeling and total acceptance of all samples did not differ significantly within treatments. The present study suggests that inactivated probiotics can successfully be used for the production of fermented milk beverages with appropriate sensory characteristics and higher antioxidant capacity, compared to the control group.

The antimicrobial effect postbiotic extant of Lactobacillus casei was evaluated against Escherichia coli by well propagation method and growth inhibition zone diameter was measured. The selected concentration of the postbiotic extract of L. casei was added to milk containing E. coli, followed by evaluating the changes in colony number and pH during storage (1 and 5) days at 4°C then compared with control milk. The largest growth inhibition zone was formed at a concentration of 800 µl/ml against E. coli. Also, the counts of E. coli decreased on days 1 and 5 in the evaluated milk containing postbiotic (p≤ 0.05). The pH of milk containing postbiotic was 6.5-6.8 (p≤ 0.05). The results showed that the postbiotics of L. casei inhibited the growth of E. coli in milk containing.

 Food is the fundamental need of human life and has nutrients that support growth and be healthy. Gastrointestinal tract (GI) microbiota involves beneficial microorganisms that develop therapeutic effects and are characterize as probiotics. The studies on appropriate probiotic strains have led to the separation and description of specific metabolic byproducts of probiotics named postbiotics. 

 A literature review has been performing using PubMed, Medline, and Scopus databases using combinations of search terms “probiotic, postbiotic, immune system, bioactivity, cancer, health-promoting, food, and pharmaceutical industry”. All experimental studies were enrolling for this explanatory review. Articles that did not have a full text were excluded.

 The probiotics must maintain their survival against inappropriate growth conditions of the processing, storage, distribution, preparation, and digestion system so that they can play their most health effects. Conversely, probiotic metabolites have successfully overcome these unfavorable conditions and maybe a good alternative to probiotics. Due to their specific chemical structure, safe profile, long shelf-life, and the fact that they contain various signaling molecules, postbiotics may have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antihypertensive, inhibiting abnormal cell proliferation, and antioxidant activities.

 Postbiotics is mimic the fundamental and clinical role of probiotics, and due to their unique characteristics, can be applied in a delivery system (pharmaceutical/functional foods) to achieve health-promoting, prevention, and treatment purposes.

Probiotic dairy products as a functional food have a positive effect on the health of consumers that have been confirmed by scientific evidence. Yoghurt is considered as one of the most popular dairy foods in Iran, which the incorporation of the probiotics into the yoghurt matrix can improve their microbiological and sensory properties and subsequently will play a vital role in promoting the health of the community. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus on the microbial and sensorial properties of probiotic yoghurt during refrigerated storage.

In this in vitro study, the yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus PTCC=5189 was used to produce probiotic yoghurt and Aspergillus parasiticus PTCC=5018 (IR 63) and Penicillium chrysogenum PTCC=5074 were used as known pathogens and the main spoilage agents in yoghurt. Changes in the number of probiotic yeasts and spoilage species as well as the sensory acceptability of the samples during 28 days of storage at 4°C were evaluated and compared with the control samples.

The population of both species, involved in yoghurt spoilage, during refrigeration were significantly reduced by the presence of Kluyveromyces marxianus (p<0.01). After 28 days of storage, the number of Kluyveromyces marxianus was at the recommended level of the International Dairy Federation with a 7.35 log CFU/g. The sensory evaluation results demonstrated that the control yoghurt samples were more acceptable.

Kluyveromyces marxianus has a significant effect on improving microbiological properties and can be used in the formulation and production of probiotic yoghurt with high storage capability and optimal sensory acceptability.

As many investigations have reported, there is a complicated relation between fermented foods, lactic acid bacteria (LAB), and human health. It seems that bioactive components such as prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics are key mediators of the complex and direct association between these factors. LAB activity in the matrix of fermented foods and improving their growth by prebiotic compounds ultimately results in the production of bioactive molecules (postbiotics), which possess specific biological and physiological properties. The term "postbiotics" refers to a complex of biological micro- and macromolecules, if consumed in adequate amounts, provides the host with different health-promoting effects. Different reports have suggested that postbiotics possess the ability to moderate the effectiveness of cancer treatment and reduce the side-effects of conventional therapies in cancer patients due to their anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Consequently, postbiotics, for their unique characteristics, have gained great scientific attention and are considered as a novel approach for adjuvant therapy in patients with cancer.

The results of clinical investigations indicate a significant relationship between lifestyle (especially diet), an extensive variety of diseases, and consumer health status. In this regard, functional foods can improve the health status and quality of life of people. Along with increasing consumer awareness and increasing research in the field of functional probiotic foods, today a new concept (postbiotic) is being formed to optimize the health effects of probiotics. In this study, in addition to introducing the functional postbiotic foods, the leading challenges in their industrial production and the need to focus investment for the development and expansion of this group of foods have been done. All articles related to the study subject were searched in the Scopus, PubMed/Medline, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Google Scholar database, and whom that discussed the concept, methods of extraction and identification as well as biological activity of postbiotics were included in the study. Postbiotics due to their unique characteristics can be used in the matrix of a wide range of fermented and non-fermented foods. The fermentation process is one of the most important sources of postbiotics in the natural form, however, these compounds can be produced in a purer form and with higher functionality using various laboratory methods that can be used in a wide range of foods to improve nutritional status and shelf life of foods and health-promotion goals for consumers. Understanding the pharmacokinetic characteristics of postbiotic compounds and nanocarrier systems is essential to design the best delivery system as well as to ensure the optimal safety and quality properties of postbiotic (pharmaceutical/food) products. The postbiotics as a novel strategy can be used in a wide range of food products to delay corruption, increase shelf life, and promote functional foods.

In the recent years, attention to the use of probiotic drugs and probiotic food products, due to probiotic’s functional and health properties has been increased. The storage and the viability of the probiotics in the products and passing through the gastrointestinal tract was always a big challenge. Drying is one of the functional and important choices that can be used for stabilizing microbial species and makes the bacterial usage easy. Among different microencapsulation methods, spray drying is one of the important drying methods that can be used in industrial scale and size. Optimizing the effective parameters on the cultivation and separation of probiotic bacteria, the most important and challenging parameters of spray drying that have influence on probiotic products, and choose of the best wall materials for the cores, are the most important and challenging factors that are necessary for optimizing the microencapsulation in industrial scale. In this review article, the factors affecting the survival and resistance of bacteria in the stage before entering the spray dryer and the factors affecting the survival of probiotic bacteria during the drying stage are discussed. In addition, the important criteria for selecting microfiber wall materials and the tests that are often performed on probiotic microfiber resulting from spray drying have been examined.

Oxidative stress factors are known to causes some metabolic disorders diseases. Therefore, preventing, or at least decreasing the amount of these factors may have a positive impact on prevention or improvement of the metabolic diseases. Recently, the herbal medicines are more considered due to more effectiveness. The present study was designed to evaluate anti-oxidant effect of sumac powder (Rhus coriaria L.).

 In the present study, special parts of the sumac plant, dried at room temperature and powdered using laboratory mill. All samples were solubilized in methanol, and four concentrations (12.5, 25, 40 ،50 µ/ml) were prepared and the antioxidant activity of sumac powder measured by DPPH at a wavelength of 517 nm. Finally, the IC50 of all samples and the standard were calculated and compared with standard.

The methanol extracts of all sumac doses showed dose-dependent potent antioxidant activity. The results indicated that brown sumac powder (IC50 = 14/912) has the higher antioxidant activity compared to red sumac powder (IC50 = 27/385), which was lower than vitamin C (IC50 = 6/708).

Brown sumac powder has a stronger antioxidant effect than red sumac powder, which can be effective in improving the antioxidant defense of the body, so we advise to consume brown sumac.

There is a direct relationship between the presence of beneficial microbiota in the gut, development immune system functions and maintenance homeostasis. Hence, the consumption of foods or supplements with postbiotic components has been characterized as one of the most important strategies to modify the microbiome balance and improve the health status of the host. In this study, the concept of postbiotics and their clinical role in host health has been reviewed.

All articles related to the study subject were searched in the Scopus, PubMed/Medline, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Google Scholar database and studies that examined the effects of postbiotics on diseases were included.

According to available evidences, postbiotics do not need the viability in comparison with their parent cells and they exert health effects like live probiotic cells. Also, their preparation and application in various delivery system is affordable, which this highlights the importance of postbiotics from technological, clinical and economic aspects. These compounds have biological activities including immunomodulation, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-proliferation, and they can play an important role in modulating the immune system's performance, improving therapies and reducing their possible side-effects in some cases of gastrointestinal disorders and chronic diseases.

The postbiotics as a novel strategy can be used in a wide range of pharmaceutical products for the preventive therapy and improvement of the current therapeutic methods, as well as in food products to delay corruption, increase shelf life, and promote functional foods.

Probiotics are live microorganisms with immune-regulatory properties and may be useful for patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune inflammatory disorder. The aim of the present study was to formulate L. casei 01 capsules at laboratory scale, and evaluate its effects on the proportion of T-helper type 2 (Th2) anti-inflammatory cytokines to T-helper type 1 (Th1) pro-inflammatory cytokines (Th2/Th1), in RA patients.
After blending the probiotic and excipient (maltodextrin) based on the relevant calculations, the content uniformity of the mixture was evaluated. Furthermore, viability of the probiotic bacteria was assessed during capsules production and throughout three months of storage. In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 46 RA patients were supplemented with either the capsules (containing at least 108 CFU of Lactobacillus. casei 01) or placebo (maltodextrin), for eight weeks; DAS28 (Disease activity score 28) as well as serum inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12) were measured at baseline and the end of study. IL-10/IL-1β, IL-10/IL-6, IL-10/IL-12, IL10/TNF-α and IL-10/(IL-1β IL-6 IL-12 TNF-α) were calculated, the latter being expressed as IL-10/total Th1, and compared for the groups. Paired samples t test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test and ANCOVA tests were applied.
Probiotic powder had been uniformly mixed with the excipient and the bacteria had acceptable viability throughout the study course. Supplementation of RA patients with the capsules resulted in a significant decrease in disease activity (DAS28, P=0.039) and increase in IL-10/TNF-α, IL-10/IL-12 and IL-10/total Th1 (P=0.039, P=0.012 and P=0.014, respectively). At the end of the study, there was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of IL-10/IL-12 and IL-10/total Th1 (P= 0.038 and P= 0.006, respectively).
L. casei 01 supplements may have the expected desired anti-inflammatory effects in RA patients. Further clinical trials are warranted to confirm these results.

Prebiotics are food ingredients that induce the growth or activity of beneficial bacteria (Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli). Galactooligosaccharide and tagatose are two main prebiotic compounds which are used in the food industry. Chocolate is widely consumed all over the world and could be used as an excellent vehicle for delivery of prebiotics. Furthermore, the incorporation of probiotics into chocolate, allows broadening the health claims of chocolate. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of tagatose and galactooligosaccharide on the physicochemical and sensory properties of milk chocolate and the survivability of Lactobacillus paracasei in the optimized formulation.
Material and Probiotic milk chocolate containing Lactobacillus paracasei were formulated by replacing a portion of the sucrose with the galactooligosaccharide powder and tagatose. For this purpose various concentrations of galactooligosaccharide and tagatose (2.5, 5 and 7.5% w w-1) along with stevia were used in chocolate formulation. Nine formulations were examined to determine some physicochemical, mechanical and sensory properties in order to find the optimum concentrations of these components. The lyophilized Lactobacillus paracasei were incorporated in the optimal formulation of prebiotic milk chocolate. The viability of probiotic bacteria in milk chocolate was carried out during storage at 22°C for up to 6 months.
Results and In general, chocolate formulations with high levels of galactooligosaccharide, achieved the highest plastic viscosity and yield stress. The lowest viscosity and yield stress were observed for the samples containing high concentrations of tagatose and in control. In addition, galactooligosaccharide at higher ratios induced the least desirable sensorial effects, whereas tagatose improved the overall acceptability. It can be concluded that the overall acceptability of milk chocolate samples were with (7.5), tagatose: galactooligosaccharide ratios of 2.5%-2.5%, presenting the optimal applicable range as prebiotic compounds. Numbers of live Lactobacillus paracasei cells remained above 8.0 log CFU g-1 until 6 months under ambient conditions. Milk chocolate was shown to be an excellent vehicle for the delivery of Lactobacillus paracasei, and the prebiotic ingredients galactooligosaccharide and tagatose did not interfere in its viability.

Non-alcoholic beverages are consumed in many countries. There are many people who avoid alcohol because of their health concerns, and in Muslim countries alcoholic beverages are religiously banned. Malt beverages are classified based on the alcohol content as alcoholic (more than 1.2%), low alcoholic (0.5-1.2%) and with no alcohol (less than 0.5%). Malt beverages are generally produced by dissolving wort granulates in water, filtration, and adding pure hop aroma. The malt beverage has some health benefits such as protection against coronary heart diseases, cancers and ulcers. Malt beverages are usually produced using barley malt and in some cases from other sources such as wheat, oats, rye and sorghum. In Iran, malt beverage is prepared without fermentation and is generally produced using barley malt. Malt beverages usually sweetened with sucrose. Sucrose is often preferably replaced with other sweeteners since it is the main cause of obesity, as well as diabetes and dental cavities. There are several known intense sweeteners which provide little or no energy intake. Since intense sweeteners are amongst the most controversial food additives due to suspicions of adverse health effects only few of them are allowed to be used in food industries. On the other hand, there is a wide range of natural sweeteners, which besides providing sweetness to the product, they contain various bioactive compounds, such as vitamins, minerals or polyphenols that are known to exhibit positive health effects and contribute to the concept of functional foods. Though not widely used, several natural alternatives to sugar are available.
Date fruit from date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is one of the important cultivations in Iran. The importance of the date in human nutrition comes from its rich composition of carbohydrates (70–80%), salts and minerals, dietary fiber, vitamins, fatty acids and amino acids. Date juice concentrates, are condensed products made out of date extract. They differ in appearance, taste and consistency depending on the type of the raw juice and the degree of concentration. Three main products can be distinguished as date spread, date syrup and date liquid sugar. Date syrup is the most generally derived date product. It is a high energy food rich in carbohydrate, a good source of minerals but it also contains a very complex mixture of other saccharides, amino and organic acids, carotenoids and polyphenols. Besides its nutritional compounds, it is rich in antioxidants. The components responsible for antioxidative effect are flavonoids, phenolic acid, ascorbic acid and carotenoids. Date syrup as an innovative and main by-product in date processing was used as a substitution of sucrose in non-alcoholic malt beverage. In this study, the effect of sucrose replacement with date syrup on physicochemical and organoleptic properties of malt beverage was studied within 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 60, 90,120, 150 and 180 days during 6 months of storage.
The materials including barley malt and hops pellets, sucrose and date syrup were supplied from local market. Barley malt and hops pellets were obtained from Sard Sahra Company (Tabriz, Iran). Sucrose was purchased from Khoy sugar factory (Khoy, Iran) and date syrup from Shahd Bab Pars factory (Tabriz, Iran).
For preparing malt beverages barley malts were milled using a roller mill, then steeped with hot water in a mash tank. Malt extract was filtered to produce thick, sweet liquid called wort. The wort was then boiled for an hour and date syrup and sugar were added together to the boiling wort at the ratios of 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0. Hops pellets were also added to the extract. The wort was then chilled using heat exchanger plate to avoid fermentation and filtered. The pH and brix of extracts were adjusted to 3.8 and 6 and they were transferred into 300 ml green Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles, then were pasteurized at 70°C for 30 minutes and stored in refrigerator at 4°C for further analysis.
Malt beverages which were sweetened with ratios of 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0 of date syrup to sucrose, physicochemical and sensory properties were evaluated during six months of storage. The data reported are the means of triplicate observations. Analysis of the data was done by Duncan’s test.
According to results pH and Brix were not changed during 6 months. There was a significant difference (p

Probiotics are live beneficial microorganisms which may exert hypolipidemic effects through many mechanisms. Lipid profile disturbances are frequently reported in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus casei on serum lipids of RA women.
In the present parallel randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, 60 RA patients were recruited and divided into 2 groups. They received either a daily capsule containing 108 CFU of L. casei 01, or identical capsules containing maltodextrin, for 8 weeks. Anthropometric parameters, dietary intake and physical activity were assessed at 2 ends of the study. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) were measured. Independent-samples t test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) test, and paired t test were used to test between- and within-group differences, respectively.
There were no significant between- or within-group differences for demographic and anthropometric parameters, physical activity and dietary intakes, throughout the study. No statistically significant within-group changes were observed for serum lipids in either group; between-group differences were also insignificant by the end of study period (TC: -0.18 [-0.65, 0.29], P = 0.801, HDL-C: -1.66 [-19.28, 15.59], P = 0.663, LDL-C: -2.73 [-19.17, 13.73], P = 0.666, TG: 0.12 [-19.76, 20.00], P = 0.900).
Lactobacillus casei 01 could not improve serum lipids in RA patients. Further studies using probiotic foods and different probiotic strains are suggested.

Probiotics can alter the colonic microbiota and might improve bowel function.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the consumption of yogurt, enriched with Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus 4.8 × 1010 (CFU) on the symptoms of constipated pregnant women.
This triple-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted on 60 constipated pregnant women who were diagnosed by the ROME III criteria in Tabriz, Iran from December 2014 to July 2015. Participants were randomly put into two groups including the treatment and the control group through block randomization. The treatment group received 300 g of yogurt enriched with Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus 4.8 × 1010 colony forming units (CFU) (n = 30) while the control group received conventional yogurt (n = 30) for 4 weeks. The defecation frequency, stool consistency, straining during defecation, sensation of anorectal obstruction, sensation of incomplete evacuation and manual manoeuvres to facilitate defecation were primary outcomes while the amount of defecation, stool colure, and quality of life were secondary outcomes.
The frequency of defecation was increased from 2.1 (0.8) at baseline to 8.3 (4.4) in the probiotic yogurt group vs. 2.3 (0.7) at baseline to 8.1 (4.3) in the conventional yogurt group at the end of 4th week. These results were based on the repeated measure ANOVA test and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (mean difference: 0.1; Confidence Interval 95%: -1.4 to 1.7; P = 0.872). Constipation symptoms including straining, anorectal obstruction, manipulation to facilitate defecation, consistency of stool and color of stool were improved significantly (P Consumption of 300 g/day probiotic and conventional yogurt can play a role in improving the symptoms of constipation during pregnancy.

Retarding the staling rate of baked goods is one of the most important issues which is of nutritional and economical importance. Application of native plant and seed hydrocolloids and mucilages with medicinal and nutritional value is an economic solution to postpone the staling phenomenon. In this study the effect of different concentrations of basil seed mucilage (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1% w/w) on cake batter specific gravity and physical properties of cake (volume, apparent density, symmetry, and moisture), firmness, staling and sensory attributes were investigated. The highest specific gravity was observed in sample including 1% mucilage. The samples containing 0.25% and 0.5% basil seed mucilage had no significant (p>0.05) difference compared control sample for volume, apparent density and symmetry. However, the samples containing 0.25% and 0.5% basil seed mucilage had the highest moisture content during 1, 7 and 14 days after baking. The lowest firmness was observed in sample including 0.25% gum (1, 7 and 14 days after baking). Also the results showed that the addition of basil seed mucilage up to 0.5% significantly (p

Metabolic syndrome, a concurrence of overweight and abdominal fat distribution, disturbed glucose and insulin metabolism, mild dyslipidemia and hypertension is among the most important issues that man deals with, in today's world. Probiotics are live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, can confer a health benefit on the host. The aim of the present study was to review the clinical evidence available regarding the role of probiotics in improvement of disorders associated with metabolic syndrome. In this research, clinical trials performed between 2000-2014 were searched in two databases, Pubmed and ScienceDirect. In both databases “Probiotics”, “metabolic syndrome” and each of its elements were used as the key words. Probiotics may reduce body weight through manipulating the gut flora. Through reducing inflammation and immune-regulation, probiotics decrease insulin resistance. They also improve lipid profile through reducing cholesterol absorption and producing short chain fatty acids, as well as deconjugating bile acids and converting cholesterol to coprostanol. Moreover, probiotics have been suggested to have a hypotensive effect through release of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides, through proteolytic action. Although some clinical trials have failed to obtain beneficial effects of probiotics on metabolic syndrome related situations, a majority of the studies have shown positive results for these microorganisms in this regard. Thus, probiotics can be looked upon as a novel approach when either prevention or alleviation of metabolic syndrome is aimed.

Constipation is a functional gastrointestinal disorder and the use of probiotics is considered as a new solution in prevention and treatment of constipation. The aim of this study is to review the clinical evidence about probiotics effects in the prevention and treatment of constipation. To review the accessible evidence about efficacy of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of constipation, the search of key words such as constipation, probiotic and yoghurt are conducted in databases Pubmed, Medlinplus and Cochran from 1980-2013 and of 49 articles about constipation, 16 yandomized controlled clinical trial articles and 3 pre-test and post-test randomized trials that investigated the effects of probiotics on constipation were included in this study. Probiotics produced lactic acid and fatty acids with short chains that decrease the colon pH and stimulate muscular contractions and intestinal peristalsis. Some of probiotics can increase the mucous discharge and change linked bile salts to free bile salts entering much water to colon and leads to soft defecation. Considering studies, daily use of probiotics such as lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacteria lactic 105-1011 CFU/gr for at least 1-2 weeks can help to decrease constipation.

Obesity, The Most Common Health Problem, Can Result In The Incidence Of Many Chronic Diseases. Genetic And Environmental Factors Can Affect Its Incidence. Differences In The Population Of Gut Microbiota In Lean And Obese Subjects And Interaction Between Them, Has Led To A Field Of Investigation About The Effects Of Intestinal Microbiota In The Obesity Occurrence. In The Other Hand, The Use Of Functional Foods Has Been Shown Positive Effects In The Prevention Of Obesity. This Study Was Aimed To Assess The Differences Between Gut Microbiota In Obese And Normal People, Their Roles In Energy Homeostasis And The Mechanisms Of Probiotics And Prebiotics In The Management Of Obesity. All Articles Indexed In The Valid Scientific Data Bases Published Between 2000 And 2014 Were Searched And Reviewed Using Probiotics, Prebiotics, Obesity And Gut Microbiota As Key Words And Results Were Examined. A Group Of Gut Microbiota Facilitates Energy Extraction From The Diet That Results In Fat Storage In Adipose Tissues. Bacteroidetes As A Residing Bacterial In The Gut Is In Fewer Amount, Inversely, Firmicutes As Another Residing Bacterial Is In Higher Amount In Obese People, And It Changed In Lean Individuals, Inversely. Differences In The Extraction Of Energy In Subjects Were Attributed To Differences In The Composition In Gut Microbiota. Archaea ‌Species That Resident In The Gut Involved In Energy Homeostasis Through Increasing The Ability Of Fermentation, Electron Production And Removing The Energy. In Addition To, The Probiotic And Prebiotic Supplements Have Roles In The Prevention Of Obesity Via Stimulating The Growth Of Beneficial Bacteria, Production Of Short Chain Fatty Acids, Modulating The Secretion Of Hormones Involved In Energy Homeostasis. Further Studies Are Needed To Identify The Specific Probiotic Bacteria And Other Effective Functional Foods In Management Of Obesity.

Chronic inflammation plays a major role in the progression of diabetes and its cardiovascular complications. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of probiotic yoghurt on blood sugar and C-Reactive Protein concentration as inflammatory factor in type 2 diabetic patients. This double-blind، randomized clinical trial was conducted on 60 type 2 diabetic patients (23 males and 37 females) in Sina hospital in Tabriz. Subjects in intervention group consumed daily 300 gram of probiotic yoghurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 and Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12 and subjects in control group consumed daily 300 gram of conventional yoghurt for 6 weeks. Dietary intakes، anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters were measured at the baseline and at the end of the study. Statistical analyses were performed by SPSS software using analysis of covariance and paired samples T-test. Probiotic yoghurt consumption significantly decreased C-Reactive Protein concentration (P<0. 05). The mean fasting blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin were significantly lower in probiotic yoghurt group compared with the control group after intervention (P<0. 05 Consumption of probiotic yoghurt improved C-Reactive Protein concentration in type 2 diabetic patients. Probiotic yoghurt consumption is recommended as auxiliary therapy in type 2 diabetic patients.

The combined effects of inoculation level (4 or 8-fold compared to standard inoculation) and sequence (standard inoculation before fermentation and 3-fold inoculation at the end of fermentation=1+3, Two-fold inoculation before fermentation and the same at the end of fermentation=2+2, 2+6, 4-fold before fermentation=4, 4+4, and 8) of culture inoculum containing probiotics on biochemical and microbiological characteristics of probiotic Doogh during fermentation and over 21 days of refrigerated storage (4˚C) were investigated. The probiotic microorganisms were L. acidophilus LA-5 and Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12. Overall, the treatments 8, 4 and 4+4 resulted in the highest viability at the end of fermentation as well as at early days of refrigerated storage. During the second half of cold storage period, the greatest viability of probiotics was related to the treatment 2+6. The treatment ‘8’ showed the shortest incubation time as well as the highest pH drop rate and acidity increase rate during fermentation and over the storage period.

In this research, the survival of probiotic microorganisms in yogurts stored at room temperature (cold chain interruption conditions) was studied. Milk inoculated with yogurt bacteria (mixed culture of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus) and a single probiotic culture (L. acidophilus LA-5 or Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12 or L. rhamnosus HN001 or L. paracasei Lpc-37) were incubated till pH of 4.5 was reached. Probiotic yogurts were stored at two different temperatures including cold (control) and room temperatures (5 and 20°C, respectively). Changes in pH decrease, titratable acidity increase and redox potential increase as well as the viability of probiotics per 6 h intervals during an assumptive interrupted cold storage (24 h) were monitored. The survival of probiotics was strongly dependent on the storage temperature and remarkable viability loss occurred in room temperature compared to refrigerated storage. In addition, the survivability was dependent on probiotic strain. Among our experimental strains, B. lactis Bb-12 showed the less resistance to be stored at 20°C (24 h) and referring to the recommended minimum numbers of 107 cfu mL-1, L. rhamnosus HN001 was the most suitable probiotic strain to be used in probiotic yogurts especially in countries having high possibility of cold chain interruption during storage.