Os alimentos funcionais constituem hoje prioridade de pesquisa em todo mundo com a finalidade de elucidar as propriedades e os efeitos que estes produtos podem apresentar na promoção da saúde. As bactérias probióticas são microrganismos vivos que, quando consumidos, exercem efeitos benéficos sobre o hospedeiro conferindo propriedades à microbiota endógena. Algumas propriedades benéficas atribuídas às culturas probióticas necessitam de estudos mais controlados para serem definitivamente esclarecidas. Neste artigo são enfocados os aspectos tecnológicos dos probióticos, os efeitos associados ao consumo de produtos contendo probióticos e as principais cepas empregadas. São apresentados resultados experimentais originais para ilustrar os aspectos tecnológicos da fabricação de alimentos contendo probióticos buscando descrever suas limitações e alternativas.

Functional food science is being considered priority of research nowadays and studies are directed towards attempts to elucidate their proprieties and effects in promoting health. Probiotics are viable microbial dietary supplements that have beneficial effects over the health of the host by means of modulation of the intestinal microflora. Some beneficial properties attributed to probiotic microorganisms still need more controlled studies to be definitely established. This article deals with technology aspects related to probiotics, the effects associated with the consumption of food products containing these microorganisms and the main strains employed for that purpose. Experimental data are also presented in order to illustrate technological aspects of the manufacture of food products containing probiotics, intending to describe their limitations and alternatives.

Penicillium citrinum grown in orange juice processing wastes medium under continuous agitation was studied in order to establish optimal conditions (incubation period, incubation temperature, initial pH and nitrogen addition) for biomass and ribonuclease production, as well as, biological depuration of the wastes. Nitrogen addition to wastes medium increased the biomass and ribonuclease production and provides COD reduction. The soy meal shows to be the best nitrogen source. The conditions for a more favorable enzyme and biomass production and COD reduction were initial pH 6.0 and temperature of 27°C. The maximum value obtained for these parameters on optimal conditions of cultivation was 11 U/mL of enzyme, 4 mg/mL of biomass (dry matter) and 55% of COD reduction, in 96 hours of incubation.