Natural Bioactive Compounds Enriched Functional Yogurt: Impact on the Probiotic Bacteria and Its Potential Health Benefits

Recently, there has been a high demand for the development of yogurt-based nutraceuticals and functional medications. This surge is primarily driven by the increasing global need for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products, arising from widespread nutrient deficiencies and the emergence of various communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including respiratory infections, cancer, gastrointestinal, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. Probiotic yogurt provides an effective medium for delivering essential nutrients to the human body. Additionally, various prebiotic combinations, such as bioactive compounds from plants, animals, and microbes, can enrich the viability of probiotics, nutritional value, and efficacy. However, the gastric environment can significantly impact the viability of probiotic microorganisms as well as the absorption of nutrients and bioactive molecules. Therefore, utilizing biopolymer-based encapsulation for functional nutrients, metal nanostructures, and medications can improve the bioavailability of these compounds, protect the probiotics from gastric enzymes, increase nutrient and microbial absorption in colonic fluids, and enhance the antioxidant level in the body. This review investigates various methods for producing yogurt enriched with prebiotic and probiotic combinations alongside techniques such as microencapsulation, emulsification, and the incorporation of metal nanoparticles. Key factors such as viability, texture, and syneresis are examined to optimize yogurt-based nutraceuticals and functional medications.