Boza, a Traditional Cereal-Based Fermented Beverage: A Rich Source of Probiotics and Bacteriocin-Producing Lactic Acid Bacteria

Abstract

The concept of probiotic foods has gained significant interest since its introduction to clinical nutrition and food science during the 1980s. Probiotic bacteria play an important role in reducing symptoms related to lactose intolerance and irritable bowel syndrome; may prevent diarrhea, colon cancer, and allergies; and may even decrease serum cholesterol levels. Most probiotic foods are milk based, although many cereals with added probiotic cultures are appearing on the market. Cereal has a high nutritional value (vitamins, proteins, dietary fiber, energy, and minerals) and may serve as excellent delivery vector for the probiotic lactic acid bacteria to the consumers.