The Growth-Promoting Effect of Pomegranate Concentrates on Lactic Acid Bacteria and Their Application to Yogurt

This study investigated the effect of the addition of pomegranate concentrate to yogurt on the growth of pathogenic and lactic acid bacteria. The concentration of the MRS broth was adjusted to one-half and used for an experiment. Pomegranate concentrate was added at concentrations of 4%, 2%, 1%, and 0.5%, which significantly promoted the growth of Lactococcus cremoris, Weissella cibaria, Weissella paramesenteroides, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus thermophillus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Lactobacillus lactis. The growth of lactic acid bacteria increased with higher concentrations of pomegranate. However, the addition of pomegranate concentrate inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli KCCM11587, E. coli KCCM11591, E. coli KCCM11596, and E. coli KCCM11600. Yogurt with added pomegranate concentrate demonstrated optimal conditions compared to that of the control without the addition. Particularly, the viable cell count of lactic acid bacteria was significantly higher in the yogurt with pomegranate concentrate. Furthermore, the viability of the lactic acid bacteria in the yogurt with pomegranate concentrate was higher than that of the control without the addition of concentrate during storage.