Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench polysaccharide enhances the resistance of Bifidobacterium longum MYL16 to freeze-drying and artificially digestive processes

The protective effect of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench polysaccharide for Bifidobacterium longurn MYL16 from freeze-drying and digestive processes was investigated. Our results indicated after freeze-drying, the log (CFU/g) of B. longum MYL16 without protectant decreased from 10.52 to 4.98, while supplementation of 20% polysaccharide with 20% skim milk exhibited approximately one log reduction. In an 8-week preservation test, the log (CFU/g) of B. longurn MYL16 without protectant decreased from 9.21 to 0, while that of B. longum MYL16 treated with 20% polysaccharide with 20% skim milk just decreased from 9.13 to 8.82. In terms of sensitivity of B. longum MYL16 to digestive process, the log (CFU/g) of B. longum MYL16 without protectant decreased from 9.20 to 2.91, while that of B. longum MYL16 treated with 20% polysaccharide with 20% skim milk merely decreased from 9.26 to 7.83. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.