Arctic REC has created a bacteria-preserving product based on acidophilus and algae

Scientists of the scientific and educational Center (REC) "Russian Arctic" have developed a fermented milk product by combining acidophilus and algae. As Vladimir Popov, director of the Institute of Family Medicine of the Northern State Medical University (SSMU), told TASS , the created supplement from kelp allows you to preserve useful lactobacilli, which usually die in the stomach.

"The idea was to create a functional product from local raw materials. Initially, there were big doubts whether it was possible to combine algae and fermented milk product. We decided to take acidophilus as the basis of a functional product, it contains lactobacilli that are useful for health.

But when bacteria enter the body, we have a hard filter in the stomach, where hydrochloric acid is produced in large quantities. And algae should play the role of a protector," Popov said.

As the interlocutor of the agency noted, it was necessary to combine algae and dairy product so as not to cause fermentation, to preserve useful properties. In addition, the product should be pleasant to the taste. That is why the choice fell on kelp, and not, for example, on fucus, which also contains many useful substances, but it is tougher and has a more pronounced "fishy" taste.

The partners of the project were the agroholding "Belozorie", the Arkhangelsk Algae Plant and the Arkhangelsk Pulp and Paper Mill (ACBC). An additive from kelp, which is extracted in the White Sea, for use in a fermented milk product was made in LLC "Green City" (Nizhny Novgorod). "We began to add, there was no fermentation, no other processes and, most importantly, no irritating effect, and good taste, which is important," Popov added.

Tests of the new acidophilus were carried out on the basis of the ATSC dispensary. As Professor of SSMU Irina Novikova told during a round table on bioresources processing technologies in the REC, the participants of the experiment who took acidophilus with algae noted an improvement in the work of the gastrointestinal tract, and, which was unexpected for the researchers, even lost weight compared to the participants from the control group.

As Alexander Grechany, Deputy General director of Belozoria, told TASS, the new product is planned to be put into production in the summer of 2023. Popov noted that it is planned to continue developing innovative dairy products for residents of the Arctic region, which, among other things, should contribute to longevity.