Background: Tomato is one of the most consumed vegetables in the world and contains many valuable nutritional components. Here we investigate the prebiotic effects of cherry tomatoes for improving gut health.
Results: Water-soluble dietary fiber was prepared from fresh and processed (heat treatment at 80 °C for 15 min) cherry tomato samples, each with and without Viscozyme L treatment. In the adhesion assays, all water-soluble dietary fiber samples improved adhesion of probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium bifidum) to intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2 cells). Heat treatment in the preparation of juice from cherry tomatoes showed no significant effect on the adhesion of probiotics to Caco-2 cells. The oligofructose content of samples affected the intestinal adhesion of probiotic bacteria, with higher oligosaccharide concentrations associated with greater adhesion of probiotics and more inhibition of the adhesion of pathogens to Caco-2 cells.
Conclusion: The present results suggest that cherry tomato can act as a prebiotic, with oligofructose potentially being one of its major prebiotic components.
Keywords: adhesion assay; cherry tomato; oligosaccharide; prebiotic; probiotic.
© 2013 Society of Chemical Industry.