Prebiotics, natural or synthetic can enhance the growth and activities of probiotics, and gut microflora, which are beneficial to the health and well being of humans and animals. They are polysaccharides that are capable of surviving acidic and enzymatic digestion in the small intestine, and can be fermented by probiotics in the large intestine to produce short-chain fatty acids, vitamins, and other compounds, which can normalize bowel movement, increase immunity against diseases, prevent cancer, improve mineral absorption, and lower cholesterol. Examples of prebiotics are inulin, oiigofructose galacooligosaccharides, and lactulose. Thai plants, e.g., palm fruit, jackfruit, young coconut, rambutan, jampadah, and okra contain significant amounts of polysaccharides possessing prebiotic properties. Prebiotics may be incorporated as nutritional ingredients into various functional foods, or presented as nutraceuticals in the form of tablets or capsules, sometimes with probiotic cultures, for the benefit of consumer's health.
