Synbiotics: Effects of prebiotics on the growth and viability of probiotics in food matrices

Synbiotics are a combination of prebiotics and probiotics that have a unique effect on their respective counterparts and the host. Probiotics, which are beneficial live microorganisms, have been extensively studied and commercially explored in multiple products worldwide. Numerous scientific studies have established their positive effects on human and animal health. Incorporating prebiotics into probiotic food products has shown different effects on the growth and viability of probiotics. Prebiotics have shown growth-promoting, partial inhibition, dose-dependent, or no effect on the growth and viability of probiotics in different food products. This review discusses synbiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, and specifically the effect of prebiotics on the growth and viability of probiotics in different food matrices. The outcomes depend on multiple factors, including the type and concentration of prebiotics, probiotic strains, and food matrix. Optimization of these parameters can lead to the development of effective synbiotic products that offer numerous human health benefits.