Hyderabad: The city-based Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, along with microbiologists from the Osmania University, have found that neera — the fermented nectar of the toddy palm — is a potential pro-biotic that also has therapeutic applications.
Experts collected the samples from different regions of the state and the saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strains, isolated from the nectar, were studied.
The study revealed that two yeast isolates had shown efficient probiotic properties. One of these isolates displayed antioxidant and anticancer properties when evaluated for tolerance to simulated gastrointestinal conditions such as temperature, pH, bile and gastric juices.
Probiotics are used for the prevention and treatment of gastro-intestinal infections, including food-borne pathogens such as typhoid causatives associated with infections. Yeast promotes both human and animal health and enhances the bioavailability of minerals.
The experimental study has been published in AMB Express, which compiles research in the area of Applied and Industrial Microbiology. A total of 53 yeast isolates (OBS1-OBS53) were part of the study.
