Effect of Probiotics on Patulin Content Reduction of Synbiotic Apple Juice

Patulin is commonly produced in apples in unsuitable postharvest or storage conditions and has pasteurization temperature resistance. Some probiotic strains are capable of binding with patulin and remove it from apple juice. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of adding Lactobacillus acidophilus PTCC1643 and Lactobacillus plantarum PTCC1058 on reduction of patulin content in apple juice. Seven variables (probiotic strain, inoculum size, fructooligosaccharide content, inulin concentration, patulin content, ascorbic acid and citric acid concentration) were defined in two levels and Plackett-Burman design was used to evaluate the impact of variables on efficiency of patulin removal. Apple juice samples were pasteurized and were then inoculated and kept in the refrigerator for 42 days. The pH value, titratable acidity, reducing sugars, patulin content and viability of probiotics were analyzed on the first day (week 0) and every week during refrigerated storage. Fructooligosaccharide content and ascorbic acid concentration were determined as more effective variables on patulin removal from apple juice. Inserting 108 and 1010 cfu/ml Lactobacillus plantarum to apple juice can reduce 85.23% and 91.23% of initial patulin content, respectively. Both Lactobacillus acidophilus PTCC1643 and Lactobacillus plantarum PTCC1058 have the capacity of PAT removal from apple juice, but percent of removal depends on environment conditions. The highest percent of patulin removal caused during one day after inoculation of probiotic strains.