The current study showed that strains CCFM47 and CCFM6 were
able to inhibit rat intestinal α-glucosidase and possessed good
in vitro probiotic properties. In addition strain CCFM47 was able
to produce propionic and butyric acid when grown on SBOs.
Fermentation of milk supplemented with 2% SBOs using strain
CCFM47 and CCFM6 in binary co-culture with S. thermophilus
improved probiotic viability during the 21 days of storage at
4 °C and improved its survival in the simulated gastric juice
compared to fresh pure cultures. Additionally supplementation
of fermented milk with SBOs greatly improved rat intestinal
α-glucosidase inhibition. Hence strains CCFM47 and CCFM6
could be used as potential probiotic strains in the formulation
of fermented milk supplemented with SBOs to mitigate
the effects of T2D. Further investigation may be warranted to
elucidate the antihyperglycaemic potential of these strains in
vivo and in the production of other fermented beverages before
commercial application.