This study observed the extent to which peanut butter could enhance the viability of selected probiotics
during simulated gastrointestinal passage. Full fat and reduced fat peanut butter were inoculated with
commercial probiotic product U, N or C at 107 CFU/g. Inoculated products were homogenized in 0.5% NaCl
solution. Probiotic products (107 CFU/g) suspended directly in 0.5% NaCl solution served as controls.
Digestion in the stomach, upper and lower small intestines was mimicked (each stage for 120 min) with
the appropriate enzymes at 37 C with agitation. Aliquots collected at 30e360 min were enumerated for
probiotics. Lower cell populations were observed in samples inoculated with probiotic culture C, followed
by U and N (p < 0.05). After 360 min, in peanut butter homogenates, bacterial population from N
(5.67 log CFU) was higher than those from U (3.48 log CFU) and C (3.00 log CFU). On average, Streptococcus/
Lactococcus species had the highest survivability followed by Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus
species. The fat content of peanut butter did not significantly impact probiotic survivability. Results
suggest that peanut butter matrices could protect probiotic bacteria during simulated gastrointestinal
passage and could be used as a vehicle for probiotic delivery