Assessing probiotic viability in mixed species yogurt using a novel propidium monoazide (PMAxx)-quantitative PCR method

Abstract

Viability is a prerequisite for any therapeutic benefits associated with the ingestion of probiotic bacteria. Current culture-based techniques are inadequate for the enumeration of probiotics in mixed-species food products. This study utilized a quantitative PCR (qPCR) method coupled with propidium monoazide (PMAxx), and novel species-specific <i>tuf</i> gene primers to selectively enumerate <i>Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium</i> spp., and yogurt starter cultures in mixed-species probiotic yogurt. The method was optimized for PMAxx concentration and specificity and evaluated for efficiency and applicability. PMAxx-qPCR showed high specificity to the target organisms in mixed-species yogurt, quantifying only viable cells. The linear dynamic ranges were established over five to seven orders of magnitude. The assay was reliable with an efficiency of 91-99%, <i>R</i>² values > 0.99, and a good correlation to the plate count method (<i>r</i> = 0.882). The results of this study demonstrate the high selectivity, improved lead time, and reliability of PMAxx-qPCR over the culture-dependent method, making it a valuable tool for inline viability verification during processing and improving probiotic quality assurance for processors and consumers.