Probiotics may be the original functional foods on the market. They have long been available in the form of yogurts and have been sold as dietary supplements in capsules and tablets. Today, probiotics are finding new applications again in foods as consumers seek new delivery forms. Consumers understand the value of probiotics, and their demand is growing at an unprecedented rate in the U.S., along with the functional-food market growth. In the year 2002, sales of probiotics were estimated at $160 million, with a growth rate of 9% from the year before (Nutrition Business Journal).

Our bodies are far from sterile environments; they have an internal balance of natural bacteria, many of which are “good” bacteria that are essential and beneficial to our body functions. Our lifestyle, diet, and pharmaceuticals, especially antibiotics, can change this balance and upset the numbers of naturally beneficial bacteria.

FloraFit™, a branded line of probiotics offered by Rhodia Food (Cranbury, N.J.), includes single- or multi-strain concentrates suited to diverse applications in the dairy, food, dietary supplement and pharmaceutical markets. The “superstar” strain among the FloraFit line is called Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM®. NCFM is one of the most studied probiotics on the market. It has the ability to survive passage through the gastrointestinal tract, so that it may be effective where it is needed. It also exhibits superior adherence to intestinal mucosa, has been identified as a true type A1 L. acidophilus, and is amenable to commercial manufacture. (Sanders ME, Klaenhammer TR, 2001. Invited Review: The Scientific Basis of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM Functionality as a Probiotic. J Dairy Sci. 84(2):319-31)

The other product in this line is FloraFit Balance, which was designed to promote beneficial intestinal ecology by its inclusion of L. acidophilus for the upper tract and Bifidobacterium lactis for the lower tract. FloraFit Boost also is formulated to modulate the immune system by inducing the production of cytokines (hormonal substances of the immune system). Both blends contain strains specially selected to survive gastric passage, adhere to intestinal cells and inhibit “bad” microflora.

Because probiotics are live microorganisms, their survival presents the biggest challenge in manufacturing and delivering efficacious products. Rhodia probiotics in the FloraFit line are processed as freeze-dried concentrates that are shelf stable for up to 24 months at room temperature. “The development of room-temperature-stable probiotic cultures is the result of the implementation of a patented stabilization process named FloraFit,” says Gregory Leyer, Ph.D., global probiotic technical manager for Rhodia Inc.

Beyond shelflife, survival of the probiotics in the gut is another challenge for probiotic products. Florafit probiotics, such as L. acidophilus NCFM, have been found to survive gut digestion and to be amenable to new and unique delivery vehicles. (Varcoe J, et al., 2002. Variable Response to Exogenous Lactobacillus Acidophilus NCFM Consumed in Different Delivery Vehicles. J Appl Microbiol. 93(5):900-6)

For more information:
Mark Matyazic at 949-654-9179 or 800-456-5020, x 8325
mark.matyazic@us.rhodia.com
www.rhodia-food.com
Rhodia Food
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