The world’s first probiotics beer now available on tap!
March 16, 2022
In 2017, Food Science and Technology researchers – Assoc Prof LIU Shaoquan and Dr Alcine CHAN, then a Year 4 student – hit the news for developing the world’s first probiotic beer incorporating a probiotic strain which has the ability to neutralise toxins and viruses, as well as enhance gut health.
Many studies have shown the health benefits associated with consuming probiotics. However, probiotics are commonly delivered only through dairy products, which are associated with concerns related to cholesterol, allergens and lactose intolerance. This led to an increased interest in expanding the modes of probiotic delivery.
The team set up food technology startup Probicient to bring their probiotics technologies to the market. The process was a challenging, but very fulfilling one. Dr CHEN Dai developed and scaled up the product for commercialisation and industrial-scale production since 2019, and together with research assistants YAP May Yi and SEW Shuwen, continued to refine the product.
Their probiotic beer, which uses Lactobacillus paracasei strains for a better sensory taste – is now a reality. Since 1 March, the first ever commercial probiotic beer is available on tap to consumers at craft brewery Brewerkz.
Assoc Prof Liu, Co-Founder of Probicient, said, “In recent years, the consumption of craft or specialty beers has gained popularity. Our product is uniquely placed to cater to this trend, while also offering consumers a healthier drinking experience.”
Recently, Assoc Prof Liu and Dr Chen created the first probiotic beer containing ambient-stable probiotics and/or microencapsulated probiotics. This will be rolled out as Probicient’s next probiotic beer product.
