Written by: Nupur Goyal and D.N. Gandhi
"Pro" means "for" or "in favour of," "biotic" means "life." Thus, probiotic means "for/in favour of life." It contrast directly with "anti," "biotic" or "killing life." The Nobel Prize winning Russian scientist Elie Metchnikoff first conceptualised probiotics; defined as viable microorganisms that are beneficial to human health, at the turn of the 20th century. He believed that the fermenting bacillus (now called Lactobacillus bulgaricus) contained in the fermented milk products consumed by Bulgarian peasants positively influenced the micro flora of the colon, thus decreasing toxic microbial activities. Lilly and Stillwell probably first introduced the term “probiotics” in 1965, as growth promoting factors produced by microorganisms. However, the term ‘probiotic’ was popularised by R. Fuller in 1989 and defined as a live microbial feed supplement, which beneficially affects the host by improving its intestinal microbial balance. This definition was later extended to include other beneficial effects such as immunomodulation. There is a popular view that probiotics are the "medicine" of the twenty first century. The World Health Organization (FAO/WHO, 2002) has defined probiotics as live microorganisms, which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit.

An important property of probiotics e.g. certain lactic acid bacteria is their ability to pave their way through the harshness of the stomach and the small intestine, utilising their resistance capability against acid and bile (Servin, 2004). These microbes are considered to improve intestinal microbial balance and partake in normal bacterial-epithelial crosstalk and offer a potential promising approach to the management of intestinal problems caused by stress.

There are many reviews suggesting benefits for Lactobacillus spp in combating diarrhoea in children. The beneficial effects claimed include prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, treatment and prevention of rotavirus diarrhoea, treatment of relapsing Clostridium difficile diarrhoea, prevention of acute diarrhoea, and enhancement of intestinal immunity. However it is difficult to know whether the beneficial effects are due to the bacteria themselves, their metabolic products or the fermented milk with all its constituents (Heyman and Menard, 2002 ).

Whey types in India

Whey is the major by-product obtained during the preparation of dairy products such as cheese, channa, paneer, and shrikhand. In India, there has been a considerable increase in the production of direct acidified indigenous milk products such as channa resulting in an increased availability of whey (Sukumar, 2002). About 2 million tones of whey, containing about 130,000 tonnes of valuable milk nutrients, are produced annually in India (Khamrui and Rajorhia 1998).

Whey obtained during paneer and cheese production is divided into rennet whey and paneer whey (acid). Rennet whey is the milk serum obtained after separation of casein, affected predominantly by rennet. Acid whey is the milk serum obtained by separation of casein, affected predominantly by acid.

Nutritional aspects of whey

The nutrient composition of whey is based on the nutrient composition of milk from which it is derived, which in turn is affected by many factors including how the milk was processed.

3.1 Lactose

Lactose, the major component of whey, is probably the least valuable component and most difficult to utilise. Lactose comprises about 70% of the total solids of whey (Jelen, 1992).

3.2 Proteins

Whey protein is the name for a mixture of proteins as shown in table 1.

Table 1: Composition of whey protein- powder


Protein

Composition (w/w)

Major Proteins

Beta-lactoglobulin

65%

Alpha-lactalbumin

25%

Serum albumin

8%

Minor proteins / peptides

Glycomacropeptide (GMP)

Trace

Bovine serum albumin

Trace

Lactoferrin

Trace

Immunoglobulins

Trace

Phospho lipoproteins

Trace


Whey proteins have a biological value (BV), of 100, which is higher than the value for casein, soy protein, beef, or wheat gluten and have a high content of sulfur-containing amino acids such as cysteine and methionine.

3.3 Minerals

Whey is a good source of electrolytes including sodium and potassium, which are required during diarrhoea therapy. Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus are present in solution and also partly bound to proteins. Zinc is present in trace amounts (Zadow, 1992). Lactose also promotes absorption of Mg and Zinc ions, which even in trace amount helps in better diarrhoeal management (Ziegler and Fomon, 1983).

Information about the electrolyte composition of whey is shown in table 2..

Table2:  Chemical composition of paneer and cheese whey


Contents

Paneer whey

Cheese whey

 

Sodium (mg/l)

350 ±3.89

260±1.78

Potassium (mg/l)

1300±2.35

1300±1.56

Calcium mg/l

480±1.34

291±3.2

Magnesium mg/l

59±0.18

36±0.21

Chloride mg/l

1349±1.67

1167±1.49

Citrate mg/l

6750±1.67

2452±3.67

Zinc µg/L

280±0.16

210±0.21

Results are expressed as mean ± S.E, n=3. Source: Goyal (2007).

3.4 Vitamins

During the manufacturing process, the water-soluble vitamins are transferred into whey in a varying extent: 40-70% of vitamin B12; 55-75% of vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid; 70-80% of riboflavin and biotin; 80-90% of thiamine, nicotinic acid, folic acid and ascorbic acid. In the case of vitamin B12, more of it was transferred into the whey when a rennet coagulation rather than acid coagulation was used (Zadow, 1992).

Applications of whey in animals for diarrhoea treatment

Whey has been used in animals for the treatment of diarrhoea In 1983, Shilovskya used enriched whey for feeding pigs and poultry and observed a positive effect in terms of weight gain and reduction in incidences of diarrhoea. Remsey and Demigne in 1985 studied the use of supplemented whey with electrolytes and glucose for treatment of diarrhoea in calves. They found that oral rehydration solution based on whey was effective in controlling diarrhoea in calves.

Navetal et al. (1987) reported the use of supplemented whey for treating chalky diarrhoea of calves. They supplemented whey with sodium propionate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, and coconut oil. The whey treatment was effective in combating the diarrhoea and in improving the nutrition of the calf. Navetal et al. (1988) used two proprietary rehydrating solutions based on milk whey for the treatment of calf diarrhoea and found that both were equally effective in the treatment of diarrhoea caused by E.coli and rotavirus in calves.

Whey:  a medium for the production of metabolites

Whey contains a pool of nutrients and growth factors that have the potential stimulate the growth of desirable microorganisms in the intestine.

The major sugar, lactose, is a suitable substrate for acidophilic flora (e.g. lactobacilli) in the intestine that may inhibit the growth of putrefying microorganisms and promote a healthy intestinal flora (Lifran et al., 2000). Lactose and its derivatives have the ability to increase retention of Ca, Mg, P, and Zn ions in humans.

Sialic acid is another whey derived carbohydrate component with prebiotic activity (Naidu et al., 1999).

Whey protein provides essential and non-essential amino acids in biologically active form.

Whey contains several unique components with broad antibacterial properties including immunoglobulin (Igs), lactoferrin (Lf), lactoperoxidase (Lp), glycomacropeptides (GMP) and sphignolipids.

Lactoferrin has exhibited immune-modulating activity through both antimicrobial and antitoxin activity. It may also provide protection against viruses such as hepatitis, cytomegalovirus, and influenza (Harper, 2000). Significant levels of these compounds have shown to survive passage through the stomach and small intestine and to arrive as intact proteins in the large intestine where they exert their biological effects (Warny et al., 1999).

Whey has some distinct advantages in the treatment of diarrhoea due to the presence of amino acids and vitamins, which are lost in deficiency diseases and malnutrition. It has the potential to be processed into an electrolyte beverage for the replacement of the lost minerals (Olson, 2003). Minerals like Ca, P, K, Na and Mg are all present as constituent of whey, which are required for normal health and added supplementation in case of GI disorders.

Whey: a vehicle for probiotics

Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria must have the ability to survive the harsh conditions in the gut if they are to be used as dietary adjuncts in fermented foods (Lankaputra and Shah, 1995). Proteolytic enzyme i.e. pepsin can hydrolyze the proteins of the outer layer of bacterial cells in acidic condition (optimum pH 1.0- 2.5)in the stomach. Moreover, bacteria have cell membranes consisting of lipids and fatty acids that are very susceptible to destruction by bile salts. However, the survival during passage through the GI tract is influenced by the nature of food carrier used for the delivery of probiotic. Whey can protect the cell from reaching the death by increasing the overall pH and inhibiting digestive protease activity (Charteris et al., 1999).

 

Lactobacillus acidophilus under the light microscope

Plate 1. Lactobacillus acidophilus under the light microscope

In a study, Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain VTT E-97800 (E800) or Lc705 (the latter in combination with Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. shermanii JS) were separately administered to healthy adult volunteers in a whey-based fruit juice. Both L. rhamnosus strains were recovered in high numbers in faecal samples during the consumption period. The results indicated that L. rhamnosus strains E800 and Lc705 had good survival ability in the GI-tract when administered in a whey-based fruit juice matrix

Biotherapeutic applications of fermented whey

According to Yang and Silva (1995), fermentation is a means of modifying the functional properties of whey to add value.

During fermentation, complex whey nutrients are converted into simpler forms, which can easily be assimilated in the intestine. Fermentation by probiotic bacteria increases the amount of easily digested amino acids, making fermented dairy products a good source of nutrients during diarrhoeal episodes (Hitchins and Mc Donough, 1989).

Dietary calcium, in the form of calcium phosphate, selectively favours the growth of intestinal lactobacilli and decreases the severity of Salmonella infections in rats (Bovee-Oudenhoven et al., 1997; Bovee-Oudenhoven et al., 1999).

The metabolic activity of the participating microorganisms results in production of various compounds. Due to the formation of certain acids and flavouring compounds, fermented whey products are more palatable as compared to non-fermented ones.

Organic acids present in fermented dairy products are considered to have an important role in the health benefits. Both fermentation of carbohydrate and protein components give rise to short-chain fatty acids (SCFA).

SCFA such as acetic acid, citric acid, and lactic acid have been reported to have antimicrobial activity against E.coli in the intestine (Sinha, 1986).  The low pH of these products helps in the secretion of bile juices, absorption of nutrients and may reduce the concentration of pathogenic micro flora in gut.

The general hypothesis is, that the SCFA may be used in the colon to promote water and electrolyte absorption, just as glucose does in the small intestine (Desjeux, 2000), a situation required for diarrhoea treatment.

 

Antimicrobial activity of different Lactobacillus strains against V.cholerae

Plate 2: Antimicrobial activity of different Lactobacillus strains against V.cholerae. The diameter of the zones indicates the degree of inhibition. The cultures were obtained from National Collection of Dairy Cultures (NCDC) NDRI, India.

Fermentation results in many biologically active peptides that enhance the functionality of fermented foods/drinks. Finally, pleasant flavour formed during fermentation, masks the original cheesy whey flavour (Jajoria, 2004). Shilovskaya (1981) found that whey fermented with Lactobacillus acidophilus and enriched with amino acids, lactic acid salts, and antibiotic substances was effective as a prophylactic and therapeutic agent.

When pigs were reared on milk whey inoculated with a probiotic culture of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Kluvyeromyces fragilis an improved health status along with reduction in G.I. disorders was observed (Saara et al., 1986). Gritsenko et al., 1989 used L.acidophilus strain no. 43S for fermenting salty whey and found that the fermented salty whey had an antagonistic action against E.coli.

L. acidophilus (johnsonii) La1 has been shown to effectively suppress the growth of Helicobacter pylori in vitro. Using a drinkable, whey-based, L. acidophilus (johnsonii) culture, volunteers were found to exhibit a marked decrease in hydrogen breath test values of 9.4 vs. 20.4 in controls (p < 0.03) (Michetii, 1999).

Whey based probiotic products

Over the past two decades, there has been a worldwide increase in the consumption of dairy products containing probiotic bacteria. Focus has generally been on incorporation of selected strains of Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. into fermented dairy products. Although some attention has been directed towards the organoleptic characteristics of the product, most publications concerning probiotic bacteria have focused on the human health aspect. To succeed in promoting the consumption of functional probiotic products, the food industry has to satisfy the demands of the consumer.

Whey, appeals to health conscious consumers because it is low in calories, nutritious, thirst quenching and less acidic than fruit juices.

Because of high transportation costs and susceptibility to deterioration during storage, fresh pasteurized liquid whey is rarely used as such for foods, but rather is concentrated by evaporation, reverse osmosis, or ultrafiltration to condensed products or maximally concentrated by drying.

The inclusion of health promoting bacteria into whey induces unique flavour profiles and texture; and the major difference among products, apart from the amount and type of supplementation, is the specific organism used as a probiotic (Katz, 2001).

The cheapest method to obtain a whey based probiotic drink is to drain whey from cheese vats, filter it, pasteurized, and then ferment it with desired bacteria. Sweet whey obtained from rennet coagulation, is more suitable than acid whey. The use of deproteinised whey has the advantage that the resultant beverages are clear and not subject to sediment formation, and resemble soft drinks. However, the removal of whey protein lowers the protein content of the whey. In terms of appearance, whey drinks have high colour intensity, due to their semi-transparency. This way, whey drinks can be marketed as soft drinks and can be easily carbonated due to their low viscosity (Wilson and Temple, 2004).

Positive results were accomplished when a therapeutic soft drink using a probiotic culture of  Lactobacillus acidophilus was used in the prophylaxis of diarrhoea in children (Gandhi, 1989).

For widespread credibility amongst the scientific and clinical communities, products must contain speciated strains, sufficiently viable at end of shelf life, and with appropriate label claims (Reid et al, 2006).

CONCLUSIONS

Interest in the field of probiotics has increased in recent years, paralleling their renewed interest in treatments against diarrhoea Lactobacilli are potential target organisms due to their purported health promoting properties. Probiotic treatment appears to have value in treating diarrhoeal disease, but is unlikely to provide a solution on its own. Whey has the potential for developing formulations that show antagonistic features against pathogenic organisms in humans and for replenishing nutrients lost during episodes of diarrhoea. There appears to be advantages from combining probiotics, whey minerals and other whey components in treating diarrhoea in sick children.

LITERATURE CITED


Belem, M.A.F. Gibbs, B. F. and Lee, B. H. (1999). Proposing sequences for sialic acid peptides derived from whey fermentation with potential bioactive sites. J Dairy Sci., 82(3): 486-493.

Bhattacharyajee, P. P. (1993). Application of membrane technology for lactose manufacture. M.Sc. Thesis, NDRI Deemed University, Karnal (India).

Bovee-Oudenhoven, I.M. Termont, D.S.M.L. Heidt, P.J. and Van der Meer, R. (1997). Increasing the intestinal resistance of rats to the invasive pathogen Salmonella enteritidis: an additive effect of dietary lactulose and calcium. Gut, 40: 497-504.

Bovee-Oudenhoven, I.M. Wissink, M. L. Wouters, J.T. and Van der Meer, R. (1999). Dietary calcium phosphate stimulates intestinal lactobacilli and decreases the severity of Salmonella infections. J.  Nutr., 129: 607-612.

Coconnier-Polter, M.H. Lievin-Le Moal, V. and Servin, A. L. (2005). Lactobacillus acidophilus strain of human gastrointestinal microbiota origin elicits killing of enterovirulent Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium by triggering lethal bacterial membrane damage. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 71(10): 6115-6118.

Desjeux, J.F. (2000). Can malabsorbed carbohydrates be useful in the treatment of acute diarrhoea? J.  Pediatr.  Gastroenterol.  Nutr., 31: 503-7.

FAO/WHO (2002). Guidelines for the Evaluation Of Probiotics in Food. Paris: FAO, 1–11.

Fuller, R. (1989). Probiotics in man and animals. J. Appl. Bacteriol., 66: 365–378.

Gardiner, G. E., Santon, C., Linch, P. B., Collins, J.K., Fitzgerald, G. and Ross, R.P. (1999). Evaluation of cheddar cheese as a food carrier for delivery of probiotic strain to the gastrointestinal tract. J. Dairy Sci., 82: 1379-1387.

Goyal, N. (2007). National Dairy Research Institute, India.

Griessen, M. Cochet, B. Infante, F. Bartholdi, P. Donath, A.  Loizear, E. and Courovosier, B. (1989). Calcium absorption in milk in lactase deficient subjects. Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 49: 377-384.

Gritsenko,T.T. Benuglaya, V.A. Sychera-Mikhailova, M.S. Vergelesova, N.A. and Oksamimtnyi, N. K. (1989). Lactobacillus acidophilus strain 43S used for fermenting salty whey. Dairy Sci. Abstr., 51(3): 1252.

Gupta, R. and Gandhi, D.N. (1995). Effect of some supplementation of some nutrients in whey on the production of lactic acid. Indian J. Dairy Sci., 48: 636-641.
Harper, W.J. (2000). Biological Properties of Whey Components. A Review. Chicago, IL: The American Dairy Products Institute.

Hernandez-Mendoza, A. Robles, V.J.  Ofelia Angulo, J.  Cruz, J. and Garcia, H. S. (2007). Preparation of a whey-based probiotic product with Lactobacillus reuteri and Bifidobacterium bifidum. Food Technol. Biotechnol., 45: 27-31.

Heyman, M. and Menard, S. (2002). Probiotic microorganisms: how they affect intestinal pathophysiology. Cell. Mol. Life Sci., 59: 1-15.

Hitchins, A. D. and Mc Donough, F.E. (1989). Prophylactic and therapeutic aspects of fermented milk. Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 49: 675-684.

Jajoria, S.P. (2004). Development of whey beverages through co fermentation of lactic acid bacteria and yeast. M.Sc. Thesis, NDRI Deemed University, Karnal (India).
Jelen, P. (1992). Whey cheeses and beverages in whey and Lactose processing, J. Zadow, (ed) Elsevier Applied Science, London and New York, pp. 157-194.

Katz, F. (2001).Active cultures add function to yogurt and other foods. Food Technol,. 55:46–49.

Khamrui, K. and Rajorhia, G. S. (1998). Making profits from whey. Indian Dairyman, 50: 13–18.

Klaennhammer, T.R. (1998). Functional activities of Lactobacillus probiotics: Genetic Mandate. Int. Dairy J., 8: 497-505.

Knorr, D. (1998). Technology aspects related to microorganisms in functional foods. Trends Food Sci. Technol., 9: 295-306.

Kos, B. Suskovic, J. Goreta, J. and Matosic, S. (2000). Effect of Protectors on the viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus M92 in simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Food Technol. Biotechnol., 38(2): 121-127.

Lifran, E. V., Hourigan, J. A., Sleigh, R. W. and Johnson. (2000). New whey for lactose. Food Australia., 52(4): 120-125.

Madureira, A.R. Pereira, C.I. Truszkowska, K. Gomes, A.M. Pintado, M.E. and Malcata F.X. (2005). Survival of probiotic bacteria in a whey cheese vector submitted to environmental conditions prevailing in the gastrointestinal tract. Int. Dairy J., 15: 921-927.

Majamaa, H. and Isolauri, E. (1997). Probiotics: a novel approach in the management of food allergy. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol., 99:179–185.

Michetti, P. Dorta, G. Wiesel,P.H. Brassart,D. Verdu, E. Herranz,  M. Felley, C. Porta, N. Rouvet, M. Blum, A.L. and Corthesy-Theulaz, I. (1999). Effect of whey based culture supernatant of Lactobacillus acidophilus (johnsonii) LA1 on the Helicobacter pylori infection in human. Digestion., 60(3): 203-209.

Naidu, A.S. Bidlack, W.R. and Clemens, R.A. (1999). Probiotic spectra of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr., 38 (1):13-126.

Navetal, H.  Bodart, P. Remsey, C.  Demigne, C. Vallet,  A. Ascher, F. and Maynard, L. (1988). Treatment of calf diarrhoea with two rehydrating solution based on milk whey. Point Veterinaire., 19: 268-272.

Navetal, H. Remsey, C. Demigne, C. and Ascher, F. (1987). Supplemented whey for treating chalky diarrhoea of calves. Dairy Sci. Abstr., 49(6): 3707.

Olson, A.L. (2003). Efficacies of whey permeate based sports drink. M.Sc Thesis Wisconsin University (USA).

Prasher, R. (1990). Studies on the formulation and evaluation of whey based oral rehydration solution (ORS) in controlling gastrointestinal disorders. M.Sc. Thesis. NDRI Deemed University, Karnal (India).

Rao,V.H.P. and Ganesh Kumar,C. (1999). Whey to wonders. Processed Food Industry, 3(8): 16-19.

Reid, G. Kim, S.O. and Kohler, G.A. (2006). Selecting, testing and understanding probiotic microorganisms. FEMS Immunol. Med. Micro., 46(2):149-57.

Remsey, C.and Demigne ,C. (1985). Dairy Sci. Abstr., 47(8): 4686.

Saara, P.G., Curto, O.,Fulgni, M. and Bottazzi, V. (1986). Dairy Sci. Abstr., 48 (12): 7325.

Salminen, S. Isolauri, E and Salminen, E. (1996). Clinical uses of probiotics for stabilizing the gut mucosal barrier: successful strains and future challenges. Antonie Leeuwenhoek J Microbiol., 70:347–358.

Schaafsma, G. (1989). Bioavailability of minerals and micronutrients from fermented milks. Les laits fermentes. Fermented milks. pp-147-152.

Servin, A.L. (2004). Antagonastic activities of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria against microbial pathogens. FEMS Microbiol. Rev., 28: 405-440.

Shilovskya, T.E. (1981). Biological enrichment of tvorog whey for use in livestock farming. Dairy Sci. Abstr., 43(12): 8121.

Shilovskya, T.E. (1983). Dairy Sci. Abstr., 45(6): 3644.

Sinha, R.P. (1986). Toxicity of organic acids for repair–deficient strains of Escherichia coli. Appl. Environ. Micobiol., 51: 1364-1366.

Sukumar, De. 2002. Out lines of Dairy Technology, published by Oxford University press, New Delhi, pp: 483-484.

Suomalainen T., Lagstrom, H., Matto, J., Saarela, M., Arvilommi, H., Laitinen, I., Ouwehand, A.C. and Salminen, S. (2006). Influence of whey-based fruit juice containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus on intestinal well-being and humoral immune response in healthy adults Lebensmittel - Wissenschaft + Technologie. 39 (7):  788-795. 

Warny, M. Fatima, A. and Bosrwick, E.F. (1999). Bovine Immunoglobulin concentrate Clostridium difficile retains C. difficile toxin neutralizing activity after passage through the human stomach and small intestine. Gut, 44(2): 212-217.

Wilson, T. and Temple, N.J. (2004). Beverages in nutrition and health. Humana Press., 427 pp. ISBN 1-59259-415-8. US ----CHECK

Yang, S.T. and Silva, E.M. (1995). Novel products and new technologies for use of a familiar carbohydrate, milk lactose. J. Dairy Sci., 78: 2541-2562.

Zadow, J.G. (1992).  Whey and lactose processing. Elsevier Applied Science, London.

Ziegler, E.E and Fomon, S.J. (1983). Lactose enhances mineral absorption in infancy. J. Pediatr. Gastroenterol., 2: 288-294.

 


How to cite this article

Goyal, N. and Gandhi, D.N. (2008) . [On-line]. Available from: https://www.dairyscience.info/index.php/probiotics/110-whey-probiotics.html?tmpl=component&print=1&layout=default . Accessed: 28 March, 2024.