Researches from the University of Manitoba have reported that,
contrary to previous reports, phytosterols do not possess antimicrobial
activity, which could detrimentally affect yoghurts. «The objectives of
the present study were to investigate the antimicrobial activity of
phytosterols in milk and their effect on the growth and survival of
starter cultures and potential spoilage organisms in yogurt,» explained
the researchers. «The commercial phytosterol preparation had no effect
on growth and acid development by Lactobacillus bulgaricus and
Streptococcus thermophilus during yogurt production at 33 degrees
Celsius and storage at four degrees Celsius for 30 days,» wrote the
authors in the Journal of Food Science. The study has implications for
the use of phytosterols in a wider range of food products, showing that
phytosterols could be employed in combination with yoghurt starter
cultures. When the CPP (commercial phytosterol preparation) was
dispersed in combination with SSL (sodium stearoyl lactylate) an effect
on bacterial counts, which was not due to the presence of SSL, said the
scientists. «While the CCP was somewhat antimicrobial when formulated
with dispersing agents, it otherwise had no antimicrobial activity,»
they said. CLINICAL TRIAL SUPPORT FOR HEALTH BENEFITS.-Numerous clinical
trials in controlled settings have reported that daily consumption of
1.5 to 3 grams of phytosterols/-stanols from foods can reduce total
cholesterol levels by 8 to 17 per cent, representing a significant
reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease, but the majority of
studies have looked at high-fat products as carriers for the sterols.
High cholesterol levels, hypercholesterolaemia, have a long association
with many diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease (CVD), the cause
of almost 50 per cent of deaths in Europe, and reported to cost the EU
economy an estimated ?169bn ($202bn) per year. The new study was partly
financed by Forbes Medi-Tech and the Natural Sciences and Engineering
Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
Category: Productos
Source: FOODNAVIGATOR-USA