Prebiotics

Natural prebiotics found in breast milk (human and animal) are known for their therapeutic effects on the immune system and enhancing better intestinal flora in the infants. Clinical research studies performed on both human and animal models using synthetically derived prebiotics such as Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) have shown additional health benefits such as relief from constipation, effect on blood cholesterol level, alleviation of lactose maldigestion and also prevention of colon cancer. Prebiotic GOS are starting to command significant attention as a functional food ingredient. These bioactive compounds are in huge demand especially in the third world countries to feed children and adults who have insufficient amount of basic body building substance such as vitamin, fatty acids and anti-oxidants. Second generation prebiotics are fast commanding interest as a therapeutic supplement based on their health benefits. Second generation prebiotic compounds apart from stimulating bifidobacteria and lactobacilli within the colonic environment at genus level, also possess multiple biological health activities. Research is required on the genetic make-up of the β-galactosidase enzyme for optimal synthesis of a potent GOS. Bioengineering of the target enzyme will open up new thresholds on the function-structure relationship of the proteins, large-scale production of synthetic GOS and also its response on the colonic microbiota. This novel approach will permit the study of wide range of cellular properties as a means of understanding how a gene or a prebiotic affects living cells- a critical step in identifying new drug targets and developing safe and effective nutritional supplements.