The Indian perspective for probiotics: A review

Abstract

In short span, probiotics (a greek word “for lifeâ€) have become an integral part of the complex world as biologics, pharmaceuticals, food and nutritional supplements due to their potential of providing health benefits. These acts as food supplements as well as preventive or curative drug which contains live non pathogenic bacteria. It is mainly the bacteria and metabolites produced by them which impart these probiotics their health promoting properties. In recent years, there has been a growing awareness among Indian consumers about the importance of nutrition, health, and quality of food they eat. Consumers are attaching more significance to healthy diet than physical activities. They are switching towards health supplements which could have deleterious effect. In modern day lifestyle, the market has witnessed an increase in sale of health products amongst the health conscious consumers globally creating new health food categories. At present, the probiotics is at nascent stage and awareness as food supplement is limited to urban areas. The knowledge about their use and technology to prepare them in a convenient form for domestic use have to be imparted in the Indian rural areas as an affordable product mainly within the lower income group people. Regular use of probiotics could improve the quality of life and reduces the dependence on drugs and medical expenses. This review keeping in mind the Indian scenario aims to evaluate the health benefits of probiotics in food and pharmaceutical sectors, the existing knowledge in rural population and the current Indian market for probiotics.