The study of prebiotic potential of peanuts and pistachios: The stimulatory effect on Lactobacillus growth

Abstract

Gastrointestinal tract performs many functions in the body such as digestion, absorption, assimilation of the food; protection against pathogens and boosts immune system. Diseases of gastrointestinal tract have been majorly associated with improper dietary habit and lifestyle. Beneficial microorganisms (probiotics) in the gut play important nutritional and physiological roles. These microorganisms are fed on prebiotics. Prebiotics are supplements or foods that contain food ingredients that selectively stimulate the growth of probiotics. Peanuts and pistachios are widely consumed all over the India and have a great nutrient profile. They are rich in protein, fatty acids, phytochemicals, fibre and antioxidants. In this present investigation prebiotic potential of peanuts and pistachios was estimated by studying the growth of Lactobacillus acidpphilus is presence and absence of peanuts and pistachios. Both quantitative and quantitative study showed the stimulation of lactobacillus in presence of different concentration of peanuts and pistachios. Phytochemical analysis (Qualitative and quantitative) revealed that was pistachio and peanuts rich in of polyphenols, flavanoids and proanthocynidins (Oligomeric polyphenol). As polyphenols and their metabolites posses strong prebiotic potential, it can be concluded that rich source of wide range of polyphenol are the most probable cause of their prebiotic potential of peanuts and pistachios.