Fruit and vegetable-based probiotic beverages: A review on development, health benefits and future prospects
Abstract
Probiotic drinks have emerged as significant functional beverages that combine beneficial microorganisms with nutritional components to promote human health. This review examines the development, characteristics, and health benefits of fruit and vegetable-based probiotic beverages, which serve as alternatives to traditional dairy-based products. These drinks are particularly valuable for lactose-intolerant individuals and those seeking plant-based options. Probiotics must maintain viability (minimum 10^6CFU/g) throughout processing, storage, and gastrointestinal transit to confer health benefits. Various methods, including microencapsulation and environmental stress adaptation, have been developed to enhance probiotic survival. Recent studies have demonstrated successful incorporation of probiotic strains into diverse fruit matrices (passion fruit, mango, orange) and vegetable substrates (carrot, beetroot, pumpkin), resulting in beverages with good sensory acceptance and therapeutic potential. These drinks have shown efficacy in addressing various health conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, allergies, and antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. The review also highlights the critical roles of packaging and storage conditions in maintaining probiotic viability, with emphasis on temperature control, light protection, and innovative packaging solutions. However, challenges remain in standardizing regulatory frameworks and ensuring consistent product quality. Future prospects include identifying novel probiotic strains, improving delivery systems, and developing more comprehensive safety assessments. The growing market demand for functional beverages, coupled with increasing health consciousness among consumers, suggests continued expansion ofthe fruit and vegetable-based probiotic drink sector, though more research is needed to optimize formulations and validatehealth claims.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright © 2001-11 Kerala Agricultural University. Some rights reserved. This journal and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by the Kerala Agricultural University and the following terms and conditions apply to their use; Photocopying Single photocopies of single articles may be made for personal use as allowed by national copyright laws. Permission of the publisher and payment of a fee is required for all other photocopying including multiple or systematic copying, copying for advertising or promotional purposes, resale, and all forms of document delivery. Permission may be sought directly from the Editor, Journal of Tropical Agriculture, Department of Agronomy, College of Horticulture,, Kerala Agricultural University, KAU PO, Thrissur 680 656, Kerala, India. (Phone: +91-487-2438325; Fax +91-487-2371040; E-mail: editor.jta@kau.in. Derivative works Subscribers may reproduce tables of contents or prepare lists of articles including abstracts for internal circulation within their institution. Permission of the Publisher is required for resale or distribution outside the institution. Permission of the Publisher is required for all other derivative works, including compilations and translations. Notice No responsibility is assumed by the Publisher for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products, liability, negligence, or otherwise, or from any use of any methods, products, instructions or ideas contained in the material herein.