Compared to other probiotic delivery systems and common prebiotics, the ingredients in Apple PrePectin^™ are water-extracted, naturally-occurring and hypoallergenic. Various methods are currently being used to increase the number and viability of probiotics reaching targeted locations in the gastrointestinal tract including microencapsulation, multi-layer coatings, enteric coatings and cell surface engineering. Although these techniques have had some success, they often involve the use of either highly-allergenic natural ingredients or completely synthetic polymers/ solvents in a complicated production process that subjects the probiotics to thermal and osmotic stress.^[5,6] Probiotic delivery using Apple PrePectin^™ is a simple, gel-forming process within the digestive tract that protects the probiotics without added heat, osmotic changes, synthetic or highly allergenic ingredients.

Unlike the common prebiotic FOS (fructooligosaccharides) which is highly processed, the pectin and fiber in Apple PrePectin^™ are fruit extracts in their native forms. Pectin was found in a recent study to be significantly more effective than inulin, a prebiotic similar in structure to FOS, at supporting the growth of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum in the intestinal tract as well as in protecting these organisms from degradation by gastric and pancreatic secretions.^[18]

Apple PrePectin^™ has the advantage over most other prebiotics in being able to provide both soluble and insoluble fiber, the primary components of dietary fiber. The maintenance of cardiovascular health, bowel regularity, glycemic balance, weight control, normal cell turnover and immune defense have all been repeatedly linked to an adequate intake of dietary fiber.^[11] The many well-documented properties of Apple PrePectin^™ make it the best choice for oral probiotic delivery and prebiotic function to help optimize the health benefits of probiotic supplementation.