Effects of crude Sphallerocarpus gracilis polysaccharides as potential prebiotics on acidifying activity and growth of probiotics in fermented milk

Sphallerocarpus gracilis is a medicinal and edible plant in China with high nutritional value. This paper reports on the potential application of crude polysaccharides from Sphallerocarpus gracilis (SGP) as prebiotics. The crude SGP was characterized, and its digestibility, positive effects on acid production and growth of probiotics during milk fermentation and shelf life were also investigated. It was observed that the contents of total carbohydrates, reducing sugar and protein of crude SGP were 72.62 ± 0.32%, 18.56 ± 0.16% and 0.12 ± 0.01%, respectively. Crude SGP had lower (P