Importance of prebiotic and probiotic: the role of galactooligosacharides as prebiotic additives: a review

In today's well-resistant pathogens and excessive use of antibiotics which weake and undermine the immune system the importance of pre- and probiotics is more desired. Probiotics - lactic acid bacteria - our intestinal symbiotes, has significant affect on our intestinal tract and brings us to number of positive physiological effects – inhibit the development of pathogenic microflora and serious stimulate the immune system, which subsequently leads to secondary health benefits - efficient use of energy from food, better resorption of minerals and vitamins by intestinal epithelium, suppression of diseases and inflammatory processes in the human intestine and many others. This article discusses the impact of prebiotics (essential substrate for probiotic bacteria), but also natural occurrence and important of prebiotics. Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) as prebiotic are the most suitable and therefore their commercial application is discussed. doi:10.5219/251