Naturally Speaking -- Talking Probiotics

The worldwide research firm MarketsandMarkets estimates the worldwide probiotic ingredients market at $33.19 billion (2015). And, by 2020 they project it grow to $46.55 billion.

What MarketsandMarkets confirmed is that the growth of probiotics as a functional food ingredient continues to experience rising popularity among consumers. They note, "Age, stress and poor diet are some of the reasons responsible for digestive ailments, bloating, and reduced resistance to infections; consumption of functional foods comprising probiotics enhanced products helps to alleviate these widespread conditions."

As more and more consumers become increasingly aware of the benefits of probiotic ingredients in foods and beverages, success within the US will start to rival Asia and Europe.

You can also see the success of probiotic ingredients by the number of new probiotic ingredient suppliers who develop tailored strains of microorganisms for integration within probiotic products.

Of note is one probiotic supplement offered by A&B Ingredients --PA5051®

PA5051 is a novel, resilient plant-based probiotic supplement based on Pediococcus. Cultivated from wild switchgrass, this new probiotic supplement has evolved to survive the stress in both nature and the human digestive system.

PA5051 based on Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which are sensitive to acidic exposure and have difficulty surviving in environments with low pH that is found in stomach acid.

This novel plant-based probiotic offers acid, heat, oxygen, and heat stability. It can survive and grow in a wide range of pH, temperatures, and osmotic pressures, allowing it to inhabit the entire digestive tract. Because it is a robust probiotic it is able to withstand high temperatures up to 185⁰ F for a prolonged period of time.

Pediococcus Acidilactici, in general, functions to prevent the colonization and growth of pathogens, as well as regulate and optimize the function of the natural microflora. It also increases the energy value of the feed and digestibility of nutrients and is able to survive in highly acidic conditions.

Because PA5051 is a natural lactic acid probiotic that is non-spore-forming, it does not require any specialized handling or clean-up procedures. And, it has the ability to withstand stresses that most probiotics are not able to tolerate.  As an extremely safe bacteria that has a proven history of use in any food application, PA5051 can also survive the digestive system to deliver live bacteria to the intestines to aid in digestion and to help maintain a healthy digestive system.

Among the advantages of PA5051's is:

• Adapted environmental bacteria which is much more tolerant to heat and acid
• Delivers live bacteria through the digestive system to reach small and large intestines
• Supports digestion and immunity
• Compatible with antibiotics
• Regarded as Safe (GRAS) bacteria by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

With supplemental probiotics, such as PA5051, it is no wonder that the food and beverage industry is taking notice.