Journal of Probiotics & Health
Open Access
ISSN: 2329-8901
ISSN: 2329-8901
Dana Buckman; Jesse LakeYoungberg
BioForm Solutions Inc., USA Sun Genomics, USA
Keynote: Jour Prob Health
The definition of a probiotic is a “live microorganism” that provides a health benefit. Currently, probiotics are tested using CFU and AFU to enumerate the cells in a product. CFUs can only show cells that can grow on a plate, whereas AFUs can indicate live, injured, and dead cells in the product. Stomach acids can significantly impact the health of probiotic supplements. In this study we use flow cytometry to monitor the cell health of probiotics subjected to an acid solution for various time points. The probiotic bacteria, L rhamnosus, was encapsulated using a “Sun Genomics encapsulation technology” using acid resistant capsules. The probiotics were shaken in an acid solution and tested for cell health using flow cytometry. A comparison of a non-microencapsulated bacteria vs the microencapsulated bacteria shows the strong protection of the encapsulation method.