This paper defines the common features of synbiotics based on the definition of probiotics and prebiotics, and reviews the effectiveness of synbiotic food. The concept of synbiotics is defined as ‘a mixture of prebiotics and probiotics that have a beneficial effect on the host, as a dietary supplement that alters living organisms in the gastrointestinal tract and improves their survival.’ Synbiotic food contains ingredients with beneficial microbes that are expected to improve interactions between microbial and useful substances. Synbiotic foods may have anti-cancer and immune system-boosting effects. Improved digestion, healthier bowel movements, and overall increased intestinal health has been reported were reported after increasing the healthy microorganisms within the intestinal tract. In addition, depending on the type of food containing the symbiotic ingredients, more consistent weight control, improvement of cardiovascular health, and lower blood glucose levels may also be expected. Unlike previous studies, this review of synbiotics has shown that it is necessary for synergistic effects to take place among microorganisms and components to be further studied. Further research is needed on the safety and ingestion of microorganisms contained in synbiotics.

막걸리의 synbiotics 기능성을 향상시키기 위하여 유산균을 선발하고 이를 이용한 막걸리 최적 발효공정을 개발하였다. 막걸리에서 분리한 유산균은 Lactobacillus casei,Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactoba-cillus brevis와 Pediococcus acidilactici의 5종의 균주로 확인되었으며, 이들 중 발효특성, pH 내성 및 담즙산염 내성평가를 통해 막걸리의 probiotics로서 Lactobacillus planta-rum JS1 (KFCC11566P)를 최종 선발하였다. 또한 최적 발효조건 설정을 위해 누룩과 입국의 발효제 사용여부, 원료의 증자여부, 발효조건 등을 토대로 발효과정 중 효모의 생육을 저해하지 않으면서 이상발효 현상을 보이지 않고 최종 L. plantarum JS1의 균체량이 높은 공정을 설정하였다.최종 개발된 공정은 L. plantarum JS1을 쌀의 0.012% 첨가량으로 효모와 동시에 접종하고, 발효제로 입국을 사용하며, 무증자쌀을 이용, 25oC에서 발효시키는 방법으로, 이를 막걸리의 synbiotics 기능향상을 위한 최적 공정으로 설정하였다.