title: Methods for assessing the potential of prebiotics and probiotics.
abstract: Prebiotics and probiotics are microflora management tools designed to improve human health. Both are dietary materials that fortify components of the gut flora seen as 'beneficial'. Gut flora modulation is an important area of the nutritional sciences, however, it is imperative that reliable methodologies be used to determine efficacy. This review will discuss the current techniques used in prebiotic and probiotic research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Reading, UK.
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Rycroft
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Fooks
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Gibson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology; D009753:Nutritive Value; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D019936:Probiotics
chemical_list: D009844:Oligosaccharides