Methods in Probiotics Research

While numerous books have been published in the area of probiotics but no book has been reported exclusively on methods adopted in probiotics research. This book is aimed at researchers who are involved in conducting research on wide applications of probiotics. To establish any organism as probiotics, it needs to pass through number of tests. The isolation and identification techniques need to be chosen carefully. The assessment of probiotics attributes is to be done by a series of in-vitro and in-vivo experiments. Clinical trials are also conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety. The use of latest genome based tools have enhanced the spectrum of understanding for probiotics.

Detection of probiotic bacteria using PCR based methods. Whole genome sequencing of Probiotic Lactobacillus species. Probiotics and metagenomics of gut pathogen. Microencapsulation of probiotics to enhance viability. Assessment of probiotic attributes in new strains. Solid state fermentation technology for probiotic products. Bio-safety of probiotics in terms of antibiotic resistance. Technological challenges for future probiotics foods. Regulatory guidelines on probiotics. Evaluation of safety and efficacy of probiotics through clinical trials. Drying techniques for probiotics. Methods to assess the antioxidative properties of probiotics. Application of Proteomics in probiotics research. Challenges in industrial applications of probiotics. Delivery of probiotics through different foods as carrier matrices. Statistical and computational tools to study probiotics.