Cereal-based fermented synbiotic instant powders: a dessert practice

Objective: This study was aimed to develop synbiotic and probiotic instant powder mixtures that can be used in food products to meet the increasing interest of consumers in functional foods. Materials and Methods Cereal flours (oat, rice, wheat), sesame, cranberry, chestnut and milled germinated grains (lentil, mung bean) were blended and autoclaved then subjected to fermentation process using the Lactobacillus plantarum strain. A part of the porridge was conventionally dried (FPP) and skim milk powder+fructooligosaccharide+inulin mixture as prebiotic sources were added to the other part and subjected to freeze drying (FSP). The viability of probiotics in the gastrointestinal environment and the Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition and bile-acid binding capacities of the powders after in vitro digestion were analyzed. The sensory acceptability of the desserts was evaluated. Results: FSP contained a higher number of viable cells than FPP after in vitro digestion. Relative bile-acid binding and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition capacities of samples were confirmed as their cholesterol-lowering and blood pressure-regulating potential. The panelists rated the dessert samples enriched with 5-15% FPP and FSP as 'liked'. Conclusion: The integration of these powders into a variety of food products will provide consumers with healthier dietary choices that support their overall health goals.