Yogurt, especially Greek yogurt, has exploded in sales in the United States. Other fermented foods pack a probiotic punch but are less popular. But it pays to explore new sources.
Researchers in Turkey recently isolated the helpful bacteria in the fruit drink made from the European cranberry bush (unrelated to the cranberry which grows in bogs). Called gliaburu, the drink was teeming with lactic acid bacteria of the plantarum, brevis and casei species.
Viburnum opulus (common name guelder rose) is a species of flowering plant native to Europe, northern Africa and central Asia.The fruit has a very acidic taste; it can be used to make jelly.
The authors wrote that some LAB strains showed antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria. “L. monocytogenes and B. cereus were the most sensitive bacteria against the selected LAB strains, while E. coli and S. aureus were the most resistant.”
Each of the isolated lactobacilli species were resistant to three antibiotics:
- kanamycin
- streptomycin
- vancomycin
Further research will discern if the gliaburu fruit drink can be a viable source of probiotic goodness for consumers.