FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UNL Dairy Store Develops Probiotic
Frozen Yogurt for Huskers

Husker athletes will be able to indulge in dessert guilt-free

LINCOLN, Neb. (August 4, 2010) – University of Nebraska Lincoln (UNL) researchers at The Food Processing Center and Department of Food Science & Technology have developed a probiotic soft-serve yogurt.  The UNL Dairy Store is inviting the public to sample the new yogurt for free today, August 4th from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The use of probiotics as ingredients in foods is on the rise.  These live microorganisms are often referred to as “good” bacteria with health promoting benefits.  Scientific evidence suggests that consumption of probiotics can decrease intestinal difficulties.  Studies continue to explore the multiple benefits associated with probiotics.

The UNL Dairy Store’s new yogurt uses a combination of two different probiotics, Bifidobacterium bifidum and the DDS-1 strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus.  University researchers worked closely with Nebraska Cultures, Inc. (www.NebraskaCultures.com) to determine the optimal probiotic strains.  Founded by former UNL professor Dr. Khem Shahani, the private company researches and manufactures probiotic ingredients.  Dr. Shahani discovered the DDS-1 strain in the late 1950's while at UNL and named it for the Department of Dairy Science, Number One strain. 

“This soft-serve yogurt is the first frozen probiotic dessert of its kind to be developed and marketed in Nebraska,” according to Bryan Scherbarth, Retail Manager of the UNL Dairy Store.  Initially, the yogurt will be served at the Hewitt Center Training Table located inside Memorial Stadium.  The Training Table is the primary cafeteria for all Husker athletic teams.

The public is invited to the UNL Dairy Store on East Campus (38th and Holdrege) to sample the new probiotic yogurt.  Flavors include vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate.  Sampling will occur on Wednesday, August 4th from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

About Nebraska Cultures
Since 1981, Nebraska Cultures has supplied the natural products industry with the finest probiotic cultures – the Dr. Shahani's® brand – specializing in the DDS-1 strain of L. acidophilus. Nebraska Cultures remains at the forefront of the probiotic industry by performing new research, increasing consumer awareness, growing its business overseas and expanding into functional foods.

As one of the most influential probiotics scientists to date, Dr. Khem Shahani began his landmark research on Lactobacillus acidophilus at the University of Nebraska in the late 1950s. There he discovered a particular strain of L. acidophilus that showed superior growth, stability (clinical studies) and nutritional viability. Dr. Shahani would later name the strain DDS-1 for the Department of Dairy Science Number One strain and spend the rest of his career unlocking its potentials for improving overall health.