Health-promoting bacteria.

During the past two decades, health-promoting bacteria have found their way into an increasing number of products. Researchers have been able to enhance the viability and stability of probiotics during their formulation, processing, storage and when they are in the human gastrointestinal tract. Scientists have used prebiotic fibers as cryo- and thermo-protectants and have studied their effects on the storage stability of probiotic cultures incorporated into foods. Some prebiotics appear promising in protecting the viability of freeze-dried probiotic cells during storage at elevated temperatures--37 C. Contact: Maria Saarela, VTT Biotechnology, P.O. Box 1000, FI-02044 VTT, Tietotie 2, Espoo, Finland. Phone: [phone]. Fax: [phone]. Email: [e-mail].