Dairy-based products currently dominate the probiotics market, taking up 80% of the probiotic segment. GreyB found that approximately 50% of new patents filed are moving toward these vegan solutions. Pioneering brewers like Kitaoka Honten and establishments like the Korea Institute of Science & Technology are developing newer vegan probiotic solutions.
This article discusses the latest vegan probiotic trends in 2024, mainly around fruit—and vegetable-based products and immunity-enhancing solutions being developed.
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Fruit and Vegetable-based Probiotics
The probiotic fermented fruit and vegetable products are rare in the market. Producing vegan probiotic products has some significant challenges. The lactic acid bacteria traditionally used for fermenting probiotic products have struggled to achieve a high viable bacteria count when using fruits and vegetables as fermentation substrates.
This hurdle has sparked the interest and dedication of major companies and institutions, such as Auffullen Healthcare Pvt Ltd, Kitaoka Honten Co Ltd, and Nanchang University, working to find reliable solutions.
Kitaoka Honten Co Ltd creates lactic acid bacterium without dairy products
Kitaoka Honten Co Ltd has created a lactic acid bacterium process to achieve a viable bacteria count. This count is attained when the steadily cultured lactic acid bacterium solution is injected into vegetable food and drink.
This innovation claims to address the need for new strains of lactic acid bacteria that can be ingested without relying on dairy products, ensuring individuals can still benefit from these bacteria’s health-promoting properties.
Nanchang University created fermented beverages using fruit pulp
Researchers from Nanchang University developed a fermented probiotic beverage using fresh fruits and vegetables as raw materials. This fruit-vegetable beverage product contains pulp and the fermenting bacteria Lactobacillus casei.
The researchers claim this product excels in flavor and nutrition, providing a fruit-vegetable drink without adding any essence of pigment, dye, antiseptic, or preservative.
Immunity-boosting Probiotics
There is a growing interest in innate immunity induced by interferon in the body’s natural defense systems. Activating interferon-mediated immunity is fundamental to preventing various infectious diseases. Currently, researchers are actively studying how interferon is activated and working to develop agents that can stimulate interferon.
Several research groups, including the Korea Institute of Science and Technology and Mahakaushal University, focus on developing natural materials to enhance innate immunity.
Korea Institute of Science and Technology uses fermented fruits to improve immunity.
The Korea Institute of Science and Technology has worked on a composition to improve immunity and prevent diseases. This composition uses the fermented product of Acanthopanax fruit as an active ingredient, containing three types of probiotics: Lactobacillus plantarum, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Lactobacillus helveticus. These fermented products significantly boost innate immunity.
The combination of Osapia fruit extract and Lactobacillus helveticus was particularly effective in increasing nitric oxide production. The fermented product demonstrated a good initial response regarding innate immune response, as observed in comparisons with other extracts.
Mahakaushal University developed a drink to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol.
Mahakaushal University has developed a plant-based probiotic drink formula consisting of a bacteria species from Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus plantarum.
This probiotic drink offers multiple health benefits, including immune system support and cholesterol and blood pressure reduction.
The path ahead
In addition to the aforementioned vegetable-based probiotics, there is a growing interest in the potential of probiotics in citrus fermentation. Citrus fruits have great potential for developing functional foods due to their high acceptability and ease of integration into various products.
With the probiotics market size approaching $147.99 billion by 2032, probiotic bacteria-fortified food is becoming popular among buyers seeking natural solutions to treat numerous health ailments.
To stay ahead of the competition, connect with GreyB’s industry experts below for comprehensive insights on similar vegan probiotic industry trends, innovations, and future outlooks.
