The present invention relates to a Lactobacillus spp. selective prebiotic composition comprising one, or a mixture of two or more, of: xylooligosaccharides, cellobiose and/or gentiooligosaccharides. The present invention also relates to a synbiotic composition comprising a probiotic component comprising one or more strains of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and/or one or more strains of Lactobacillus plantarum and a prebiotic component comprising a growth medium which is specific for the growth of the probiotic component, wherein the prebiotic growth medium comprises one or more, or a mixture of two of more, components selected from: xylooligosaccharides, cellobiose and/or gentiooligosaccharides. The present invention also relates to methods of producing and selecting such compositions.
