Det finns en rad Functional Food produkter på marknaden och vi har valt att fokusera på probiotiska livsmedel. Syftet med arbetet var att kartlägga hur probiotiska produkter används i vården, av äldre, på vårdboenden i Malmö. Förundersökningen visade att 25 av 30 vårdboenden använde probiotika, men förståelsen för vad som menades med probiotika påverkade svaren. Vi valde att djupintervjua personal på sex kommunala vårdboenden och av resultatet framgår det att olika faktorer påverkar användningen av probiotika inom vården. I undersökningen kom det tydligt fram att det främsta användningsområdet för probiotiska livsmedel var att motverka mag- och tarmbesvär. Anledningen till användandet berodde dock på flera faktorer. Det tydligaste sambandet som framkom var mellan användning och informationskällor, dvs. experter inom området. Dessa var läkare och dietister som förmedlade trovärdig information om produkternas funktioner. Även produktens konsistens, smak, näringsinnehåll och pris kan begränsa eller gynna användningen. Av resultatet framkom även att probiotika skapar en trygghet genom att det säljs som ett livsmedel och inte som piller. Beaktansvärt är att inget av boendena valde probiotiska produkter efter de effekter som kan påvisas på förpackningen (som Skånemejeriers Proviva). De utgick ifrån att produkterna bar med sig samma positiva egenskaper gentemot mag- och tarmbesvär.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether resistant maltodextrin is suitable as a fiber source in the probiotic fruit drink ProViva Mango without affecting the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum 299v, viscosity or the sensory experience of the drink. Resistant maltodextrin is produced from hydrolyzed corn starch and is classified as a soluble dietary fiber. It is relatively resistant to digestion in the small intestine, where approximately 10% can be broken down, 50% can be fermented in the colon by the intestinal flora and 40 % is excreted in the faeces. Resistant maltodextrin has several important qualities when it comes to food processing. When added in a product, it does not affect the viscosity or taste and it is heat and acid stable. Three different fiber levels were added to ProViva Mango; 5 g, 10 g and 15 g/350 ml and they were compared against a reference beverage without added fiber. ProViva has a shelf life of 30 days and therefore analyses were planned to be performed at day 1 and after 15 and 32 days. Due to lack of time analyses were only performed at day 1 and 15. The study showed that resistant maltodextrin did not affect the viscosity or the probiotic bacteria L. plantarum 299v. The sensory analysis evaluated five different parameters: sweetness, fruitiness, grittiness, mouth feel and appearance. At day 1 and 15 there was no experienced significant difference between the fiber-enriched drinks and the reference drink in the evaluated sensory parameters. Brix test showed that the percentage of sugars increased with increasing fiber content. The conclusion of the study is that adding resistant maltodextrin to ProViva Mango doesn’t affect the physiological properties of ProViva. To obtain the same nutritional value as a standard ProViva Mango, the amount added sugar needs to be adjusted so that the amount of total sugars remain at the same level as the standard.

In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden lebensfähige Escherichia coli Stamm Nissle 1917 (EcN) klinisch gesunden adulten Pferden oral verabreicht und anschließend aus den Faeces der Tiere reisoliert. Der probiotische nicht-pathogene EcN wird in der Humanmedizin seit 1917 erfolgreich zur Behandlung zahlreicher Erkrankungen und Störungen des Verdauungstraktes wie Diarrhöe, Colitis ulcerosa, Morbus Crohn, kollagener Colitis und Pouchitis eingesetzt wird. Des Weiteren konnte in der Anwendung bei neugeborene Säuglingen nach Gabe von EcN eine Kolonisationsprophylaxe und ein immunstimulierender Effekt zu beobacht werden. In der Veterinärmedizin wird EcN unter der Bezeichnung Ponsocol® (Firma Ponsold GmbH, Oschersleben) zur Durchfallprophylaxe beim Kalb eingesetzt. Die vorliegenden Untersuchungen umfassten zwei zeitlich getrennte Feldversuche mit unterschiedlichem Design. Versuch A wurde als placebo-kontrollierter paralleler Gruppenvergleich durchgeführt. Je Gruppe wurde 6 Tiere vom 1. bis 10. Studientag die Studienmedikation oral mit dem Futter gegeben und nachfolgend bis zum 25. Studientag beobachtet. Die Pferde der Verum-Gruppe (n = 6) erhielten täglich 150 x 108 KbE EcN lebend in 150 ml Puffersuspension, die Pferde der Placebo- Gruppe (n = 6) erhielten 150 ml der Puffersuspension ohne EcN. Versuch B wurde mit interner Verlaufskontrolle über 65 Tage durchgeführt. Die Studientiere (n = 6) erhielten EcN in steigender Dosierung (75, 125, 250 und 500 x 108 KbE/Tag) in fünf aufeinander folgenden 10tägigen Applikationsperioden. Die 1. Applikationsperiode begann am 11. Studientag. In den ersten 10 Tagen wurden alle Tiere nur beobachtet. Die Gabe der Medikation erfolgte wie in Versuch A mit dem Futter verabreicht. Die jeweilige Dosis wurde zweimal täglich in gleichen Dosen (7.00 und 16.00 Uhr) appliziert. Das Verum- und Placebohaltige Futter wurde von den Studientieren vollständig und ohne erkennbare Verzögerung aufgenommen. Bei zweimal täglich durchgeführten Allgemeinuntersuchungen aller Tiere ergaben sich unter der EcN-Applikation keine Abweichungen vom physiologischen Zustand. Um EcN in lebensfähiger Form wiederzufinden, wurden den Pferden Kotproben entnommen. Diese wurden entweder nach Zwischenkultivierung (Versuch A und B) oder direkt (Versuch B) mittels PCR auf EcN-spezifische DNA untersucht. Im Studie A wurde der Stamm bei zwei Tieren an Tag 11 gefunden. In Studie B wurde EcN bei zwei Tieren an Tag 20 und bei allen Tieren an den Versuchstagen 25, 32, 35, 40, 42, 45 und 50 gefunden. Nach dem Absetzen der Medikation an Tag 50 war der Stamm bei zwei Tieren an Tag 52 und bei einem Tier an Tag 55 nachweisbar. Bei PCR nach Zwischenkultivierung wurde der Stamm bei allen Pferden der Applikationsstufen 150, 250 und 500 x 108 KbE des Verum-Präparates gefunden. In der Nachsupplementationsperiode wurde der Stamm lediglich bei einem Pferd an Tag 52 gefunden. Als weiterer Befunde wurden in Versuch A statistisch signifikante Modifikationen im Fettsäuremuster der kurzkettigen Fettsäuren gefunden. Bei den zusätzlich durchgeführten mikrobiologischen Untersuchungen ergaben sich keine statistischen gesicherten Einflüsse der Applikation von EcN auf die Zusammensetzung der gastrointestinalen Mikroflora. Die Untersuchungen der Ammoniak- und L-Lactat- und pH-Werte im Kotwasser und der Trockensubstanzgehalte in den Faeces zeigten ebenso keine Beeinflussung durch die Applikation von EcN. Die Ergebnisse beider Versuche zeigen, dass EcN in der Lage ist, die Magen-Darm-Passage beim Pferd nach oraler Applikation lebensfähig zu überstehen. In den gewählten Dosierungen konnten keine negativen Auswirkungen auf die klinische Gesundheit der Pferde gefunden werden. Zur Überprüfung eines probiotischen Effektes des EcN beim Pferd sind weitere Studien nötig.

The basis for a successful cattle production is the proper care taking of pregnant cows as well as a sufficient care taking of the new-born calves. During the last years, a big attention has been given to this area because the higher farming quality the higher economic benefits and the lower losses in meat and milk yield will be respectively. For this reason, an influence of different feed supplements (Lactovita, Biopolym, Homeopathics) on haematological and biochemical parameters as well as an effect on weight gain and amounts of microorganisms in new-born calves has been studied. The specific aim of this thesis is to evaluate an influence of these supplements on incidences of diarrhea, microbial activity and to assess its effect on selected haematological and biochemical blood parameters. Three experimental and one control group (ten calves per each) were set up in the chosen company. The experimental groups had a modified feeding ratio between the first and the fourth week of life the calves received either colostrum + 5ml "PVB" homeopathic or colostrum + 5 ml "Biopolym" prebiotics or colostrum + 1 pill of "Lactovita", while the control group received colostrum without supplement. The first day after birth, a blood sample and a microbial smear sample were taken. Second sample collection was carried out in the fourth week of life. The calves were weighed every week. Obtained data were processed graphically and in tables and were statistically evaluated. The influence of mentioned feed additives on weight gain and diarrhea occurrence was evaluated from the obtained results. The most of haematological and biochemical parameters have approximately the same values compared to those found by other authors. There were no significant differences in monitored parameters in the experimental groups compared to the control group. Furthermore, no influence was found on blood parameters. Only in case of zinc a significant difference was found between treated groups and control (p=0,0012). Changes between the treated groups (independently on control) were observed in haematocrit, total protein content, cholesterol, zinc and copper. Non-significant differences between the tested groups and control were found in haemoglobin, erythrocytes, leukocytes, glycaemia, urea, LF, GMT, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. No impact of tested supplements was found on microbial composition. A positive effect of Lactovita, Biopolym and Homeopathic compared to the control group was found in case of weight gain. The obtained results show some positive trends which should be a subject for further research, where total amount of calves per groups is increased to reduce variability.

Diarrheal diseases of calves are one of the most serious risks of rearing calves and cause economic losses. For this reason, the objective of this work was to assess the influence of means of support in operating conditions for the incidence of diarrheal disease in calves in the early post-weaning stages. A company was chosen for this work in which both the company employees and an external veterinarian were willing to collaborate and provide not only information about the breed in question, but also biological material. This company was JINOS - AGRO Veselí nad Lužnicí. The calves were observed in the period of April - June 2009. The calves were housed in separate boxes the second day after birth until the average age of 56 days. After storage, they were divided into 5 groups: 4 based on the chosen means of support, and a single control group. Faeces samples were collected from the calves and subsequently evaluated. The calves to whom were administered means of support were then evaluated to assess the effect thereof on the incidence of diarrhea, the duration of diarrhea, the method of treatment, and the duration of treatment. The results were summarized and analyzed using a statistical program (STATISTICA 7.0.). There was no statistically significant difference found between the individual groups and the experimental group. An evident and statistically significant difference was found only in the case of a difference between the drugs of the 2 experimental groups, specifically between Lactovita and Homeopatika. Based on this observation, it can be stated that there was no evidence supporting the effectiveness of administered means of support for the incidence of diarrheal disease in calves in the early post-weaning stages.

Healthy and well fed calves are the main prerequisite for high performances. The aim is to evaluate the concept of nutrition of calves and assess the dynamics of selected haematological and biochemical parameters of blood in the sample of agricultural holdings, depending on the influence of selected dietary supplements. The experiment was conducted in the agricultural cooperative Krásna hora nad Vltavou a.s. on the farm Perovice, where they breed Holstein cattle. There were three groups of calves - one control and two experimental. The test groups received dietary supplements to promote active immunity by the instruction. In the first group Lactovita dietary supplements, the latter group food supplement called Biopolym. The first blood sampling was performed from ages 5 to 7 days and a second collection has been made 3 weeks later. Findings and data analysis were summarized and evaluated. The experiment was conducted from August to November 2013.

The experimental part of the thesis deals with production and monitoring of microbiological indicators in acidified plant products during their storage. Four raw materials were used for production: soy, almond, cashew and poppy. In microbiological analysis, the total number the following microorganisms were monitored - lactic acid bacteria, coliform bacteria, yeast together and mold. It has been found that the number of microorganisms monitored increases with increasing shelf life. The results from the microbiological analysis pointed out that all monitored samples are harmless to health for one week of storage. From a nutritional point of view, the highest fat content was determined in the tonsil sample, the highest total nitrogen content was found in the soy sample. The almond sample received the best impression by general public. The sensory analysis performed by trained people showed no statistically significant difference between the evaluated samples (p < 0,05).

Bakgrund: Antibiotikabehandling kan medföra gastrointestinala besvär hos patienter. En vanlig orsak till detta är bakterien Clostridium difficile som normalt kan återfinnas i tarmfloran. Vid antibiotikabehandling kan flera av tarmflorans goda bakterier slås ut vilket kan resultera i att C. difficile växer till sig och genom toxiner ge gastrointestinala besvär. Detta kan orsaka patienter onödigt lidande och kostar hälso- och sjukvården mycket pengar årligen. Probiotika består av levande mikroorganismer och det finns teorier om att dessa kan ha en positiv inverkan på tarmfloran genom stabilisering av den samt förhindrar överväxt av C. difficile i floran.   Syfte: Syftet var att undersöka om behandling med probiotika kan förebygga C. difficile infektion och/eller lindra gastrointestinala besvär orsakade av C. difficile i samband med antibiotikabehandling.  Metod: Beskrivande litteraturöversikt. Litteratursökning gjordes i CINAHL och PubMed. Elva randomiserade kontrollerade studier utgjorde resultatet i litteraturöversikten efter att ha genomgått en kvalitetsgranskning. Resultat: En statistisk signifikant skillnad gällande förebyggande av C. difficile fanns i tre av de elva inkluderade studierna. Probiotika som symtomlindring mot C. difficile visade på en signifikant skillnad avseende diarré och lösa avföringar i fyra studier med signifikant fler fall i kontroll- än interventionsgrupperna. Andra symtom som undersöktes i sammanlagt sju studier var utspänd buk, buksmärta, illamående, kräkning och flatulens. Slutsats: Litteraturöversikten påvisade att probiotika i vissa fall kan ha effekt mot infektion orsakad av C. difficile i samband med antibiotikabehandling. Effekten visar sig i form av lindrande effekt på vissa gastrointestinala besvär. Litteraturöversikten kunde dock inte påvisa tillräcklig evidens på grund av varierande resultat i de inkluderade artiklarna. Det gör att probiotika i nuläget inte är aktuellt för implementering inom sjukvården i samband med antibiotikabehandling för att förebygga eller lindra infektion av C. difficile. / Background: Patients treated with antibiotics can experience gastrointestinal side effects. A common cause of the side effects is the bacterium Clostridium difficile. C. difficile can normally be found in the intestinal human flora. Antibiotic treatment can cause imbalance in the intestinal flora because antibiotics sometimes eliminate several of the good bacteria in the gastrointestinal microbiome. This can cause an overgrowth of C. difficile and through its toxins cause gastrointestinal side effects for the individual. The side effects of antibiotics and C. difficile can cause individual suffering and cost healthcare a lot of money annually. Probiotics contain living microorganisms and there are theories that these microorganisms can have a positive effect on the intestinal human flora by stabilizing the gastrointestinal microbiome and preventing overgrowth of C. difficile in the human flora.   Aim: The aim was to investigate if treatment with probiotics could prevent C. difficile infection and/or relieve the occurrence of gastrointestinal side effects caused by C. difficile in patients treated with antibiotics.    Method: A descriptive literature review. Data collection was made in CINAHL and PubMed. Eleven randomized controlled trials were included in this literature review after a quality review.   Results: A statistically significant difference in the prevention of C. difficile was found in three of the included articles. Probiotics used for relief of symptoms caused by C. difficile showed a significant difference in four studies that examined loose stools and diarrhea with more cases in the control group than the intervention group. Other symptoms examined in a total of seven articles were distended abdomen, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and flatulence.  Conclusion: This literature review proved that probiotics in some cases may have an effect on infections caused by C. difficile during treatment with antibiotics. The literature review could not prove sufficient evidence due to varying results in the included studies. That makes probiotics at the present time not relevant for implementation in healthcare services during treatment with antibiotics for prevention of C. difficile.

Bakgrund: Helicobacter pylori är en viktig bakterie som kan leda till magcancerutveckling, då den ökar risken för magcancer med 4–6 gånger. År 2020 rapporterades över en miljon Helicobacter pylori-relaterade magcancer och runt 800 000 dödsfall. Från 2014 har världshälsoorganisationen rekommenderat att Helicobacter pylori ska utrotas för att minska antal dödsfall av magcancer över hela världen. Behandling av Helicobacter pylori består oftast av två olika antibiotika och protonpumpshämmare. Flera kliniska studier visade att probiotika som komplement till standard eradikeringsbehandling av Helicobacter pylori ökar eradikeringsfrekvens och minskar biverkningar till följd av antibiotikabehandling. Syfte: Studien syftar till att granska och analysera publicerade kliniska prövningar för att studera effekten av probiotika som komplement till standardterapi på eradikering av Helicobacter pylori.Metod: Fem randomiserade, placebo-kontrollerade kliniska prövningar granskades. Sökningen av studier gjordes i januari 2024 med hjälp av PubMed och Google Scholar databaser. Resultat: Fyra av fem studier visade statistiskt signifikant skillnad i Helicobacterpylori eradikeringsfrekvens hos patienter som behandlades med probiotika, som komplement till eradikeringsbehandling, jämfört med placebo. Två av fem studier visade statistiskt signifikant skillnad i antibiotikaassocierade biverkningar hos interventiongruppen jämfört med placebo.Slutsats: Probiotika som komplement till standarderadikeringsbehandling är effektiv på att öka Helicobacter pylori eliminering och utrotningshastigheten.

Background - Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a poorly understood functional gastrointestinal disorder and is a major cause of abdominal discomfort and gut dysfunction. IBS symptoms encompass abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence and irregular bowel movements such as constipation, diarrhoea and alternating bowels, bloating, flatulence and irregular bowel movements. Physiological studies have shown that manipulation of the intestinal microbiota by antibiotics, prebiotics or probiotics can affect intestinal functions in the pathogenesis of IBS. The probiotic concept suggests that supplementation of the intestinal microbiota with the right type and number of live microorganisms can improve gut microbiota composition and promote health in IBS sufferers. Aim - The aim of the main clinical trial is to determine whether ingestion of fermented milk containing Bifidobacterium animalis DN-173010 is associated with improved defecation frequency, stool consistency and quality of life in black South African females with constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C). Methods - A pilot and process evaluation approach was employed during the current study to examine and understand the feasibility of implementing the study and to explore the facilitating implementation of the main clinical trial. Twenty black female participants, aged 18-60, with IBS-C were recruited from the practices of gastroenterologists, specialist physicians and medical doctors in Soweto. Participants fulfilling the Rome III criteria for IBS-C and inclusion criteria were randomized into two groups to participate in a 4-week, double blind, placebo controlled study. The placebo group received unflavoured sweetened, white base yoghurt and the intervention group received similar yoghurt with the probiotic, Bifidobacterium animalis DN-173010 [>3,4X10⁷ CFU/g]. Participants were required to record their bowel movements daily and IBS symptoms weekly in questionnaires during the four-week study period. Quality of life was assessed at baseline and at the end of the treatment period. Participants visited the study unit weekly to collect the placebo or probiotic study products and return the completed questionnaires during the study period. Results - Seventeen participants completed the study (eight intervention and nine placebo). There were not significant differences in IBS symptoms between the two groups, but differences were observed overtime within groups. The severity of abdominal pain score within both groups was statistically significant (p=0.004), and the number of days with pain was also statistically significant (p=0.00001). The frequency of normal stools reported was statistically significant different compared to all the other stool types (constipation and loose stools) throughout the four-week study period in both the intervention and placebo group. There was no significant difference in the quality of life between the intervention group compared to the placebo group. Conclusion - Process evaluation allows for the monitoring of a programme and corrections of problems as they occur. The intervention is feasible to implement, acceptable and safe to participants. The study indicates that consumption of the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis DN-173010 for four weeks is not superior to the placebo in relieving IBS symptoms. / MSc (Dietetics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014