Provided is a gummy candy comprising a fat and oil, a hydrophobic emulsifier, pyrroloquinoline quinone or a salt thereof, and gelatin.

A combination product comprising a strain of Bifidobacterium NCIMB 41676 and a strain of Bifidobacterium NCIMB 41003 is used in the prophylaxis or treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The combination product leads to a surprising, sustained positive effects, even after feeding has stopped.

The present disclosure relates to a method for preparing an aglycone or hydrolyzed glycoside converted from a glycoside and, specifically, to a method for preparing an aglycone or hydrolyzed glycoside from a glycoside by converting a glycoside into an aglycone form or hydrolyzed glycoside by using a microorganism producing -glycosidase, and then recovering the aglycone or hydrolyzed glycoside accumulated in the cells of the microorganism.

A multilayer microencapsulated lactic bacteria and bifidobacteria, preferably bacteria with probiotic activity, and the use thereof to prepare a food product, supplement product, medical device or pharmaceutical composition or water- and/or fruit-based beverage are described. A process for preparing multilayer microencapsulated lactic bacteria and bifidobacteria, preferably bacteria with probiotic activity is described. A food product is described selected from water, water- and/or fruit-based beverages, milk, fresh whole milk, partially skimmed milk, powdered milk, cheese, fresh cheese, aged cheese, grated cheese, butter, margarine, yogurt, cream, milk- and chocolate-based custards, custards for sweets, jams and oily suspensions having bacteria, preferably multilayer microencapsulated lactic bacteria and bifidobacteria with probiotic activity.

The present disclosure relates to a method for preparing an aglycone or hydrolyzed glycoside converted from a glycoside and, specifically, to a method for preparing an aglycone or hydrolyzed glycoside from a glycoside by converting a glycoside into an aglycone form or hydrolyzed glycoside by using a microorganism producing -glycosidase, and then recovering the aglycone or hydrolyzed glycoside accumulated in the cells of the microorganism.

A fruit snack with probiotics that is stable at room temperature is manufactured by combining various ingredients including fruit juices/purees to produce a slurry and cooking the slurry to produce a center that contains a high moisture content. The fruit snack center is covered with a barrier layer which in turn is covered by an outer layer that contains heat sensitive ingredients, such as probiotic cultures. The barrier layer substantially prevents migration of moisture from the center to the outer layer, and the fruit snack is cooled prior to applying the outer layer to minimize damage/harm to the heat sensitive ingredients. In addition to including probiotic cultures and being stable at room temperature, the fruit snack has other desirable characteristics including a chewy soft texture and fruit-flavorings, and may be manufactured using traditional processes.

The present invention relates to a microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria characterized in that it is capable of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans, wherein the specific binding is (i) resistant to heat treatment; and/or (ii) resistant to protease treatment; and/or (iii) calcium-dependent; and/or (iv) formed within a pH range between 4.5 and 8.5; and/or (v) formed in the presence of saliva. Preferably, the specific binding can be assayed as follows: (a) growing said microorganism to stationary phase; (b) mixing said microorganism with Streptococcus mutans which has been grown to stationary phase; (c) incubating the mixture obtained in step (b) under conditions allowing the formation of aggregates of said microorganism and Streptococcus mutans and (d) detecting aggregates by the occurrence of a pellet.

Another aspect of the present invention is an analog or fragment of said microorganism which is thermally inactivated or lyophilized, wherein said analog or fragment retains the capability of specifically binding to Streptococcus mutans. In addition, the present invention encompasses compositions and additives for food, feed or drinks comprising the microorganism belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria which specifically bind to Streptococcus mutans or an analog or fragment thereof. Moreover, uses of said microorganism or said analog or fragment thereof for the preparation of an anticariogenic or pharmaceutical composition or anticariogenic food or feedstuff as well as methods for producing said compositions or food or feedstuff are provided by the present invention.

The present invention relates to a glycerin- and protein-based candy product comprising probiotic bacteria, said product having a moisture content less than 9% and a water activity (aw) of less than 0.5 and comprising a) glycerin in an amount of at least 5% (w/w), b) at least one saccharide or at least one polyol which is not glycerin, or a mixture thereof, c) at least one protein which is not gelatin, and d) at least one species of a probiotic bacterium, and optionally e) at least one hydrocolloid. In a presently preferred embodiment the protein is a hydrolyzed protein. Further, the invention relates to processes for producing a glycerin- and protein-based candy product comprising probiotic bacteria.

A formulated oral prebiotic edible composition includes a free amino acid containing ingredient comprising L-arginine, the L-arginine comprising free individual molecules of L-arginine, the free individual molecules of L-arginine L present at a concentration of greater than about 0.1 weight percent, a carrier, and a sugar comprising at least one of a monosaccharide and disaccharide, at least two distinct live lactic acid probiotics, wherein one is a lactic acid producing bacterium, and one is a lactic acid fermenting bacterium, wherein the composition is in configuration suitable to be maintained substantively dissolved within the oral cavity, and wherein the composition is in an effective amount to selectively promote stimulation of a first oral microbiota to produce an excretion product, and wherein a second oral microbiota metabolizes the excretion product to treat the respiratory allergic condition and/or an oral and/or sinus infection.

The present application relates to probiotic confection-based compositions comprising lactic acid-producing bacteria and oil-based compositions comprising the same.