Strategies to increase prebiotic activity and neurotrophic potential through dietary fibre modulation

Soluble polysaccharides and oligosaccharides are prebiotic compounds that promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and contribute to improved health. Industrial juice production results in juices with moderate amounts of soluble dietary fibre because most polysaccharides that constitute the dietary fibre are retained in the pulp. Incorporation of glucanases and pectinases into the juice production process can therefore enrich the juice with soluble fibre and possible prebiotic effects. In lignified by-product materials, more drastic strategies need to be used to recover polysaccharides and oligosaccharides with prebiotic activity. Pine nut skin, a by-product obtained during pine nut processing, is a source of insoluble dietary fiber.