Fermentation of Allium chinense Bulbs With Lactobacillus plantarum ZDY 2013 Shows Enhanced Biofunctionalities,and Nutritional and Chemical Properties

In this study, fermentation of Allium chinense bulbs was carried out with Lactobacillus plantarum ZDY 2013. A decrease in pH from 6.8 to 3.5 and a stable lactic acid bacteria population were observed during 7‐d fermentation. The total phenolic content increased by 2.7‐fold in the aqueous and ethanol extracts of A. chinense bulbs after fermentation. Antioxidant capacity including 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical‐scavenging effect and reducing power of both extracts was significantly (P < 0.05) improved after fermentation. Antagonistic test against 6 pathogens showed that fermentation significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the antimicrobial activity in both extracts of fermented bulbs, especially in the ethanol extracts of fermented bulbs against L. monocytogenes. Analysis of the free amino acid (FAA) profile by ion‐exchange chromatography revealed that fermentation significantly (P < 0.05) increased total FAA content. In addition, among 27 kinds of volatile components analyzed by headspace–solid phase microextraction–gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, sulfur‐containing compounds accounted for 65.23%, but decreased to 43.65% after fermentation. Our results suggested that fermentation of A. chinense bulbs with L. plantarum could improve their biofunctionalities, and nutritional and chemical properties.     

Properties and acceptability of Som-fug, a Thai fermented fish mince, inoculated with lactic acid bacteria starters

Effect of inoculation of different lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the fermentation and quality of Som-fug from bigeye snapper was investigated. Som-fug inoculated with Pediococcus acidilactici at 10⁴ CFU/g (PA104) had a greater acceptability than those inoculated with Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus at either 10⁴ or 10⁶ CFU/g and the control (without inoculum). During fermentation, PA104 exhibited a higher rate of fermentation than the control as indicated by the greater rate of pH drop and lactic acid production (p<0.05). Based on pH desired (pH 4.5), the fermentation was completed within 48 and 36 h for the control and PA104, respectively. Due to higher acid production rate, the textural development of PA104 was more pronounced. Som-fug inoculated with LAB generally exhibited higher hardness and adhesiveness than the control (p<0.05), when assessed by texture profile analysis (TPA). From the result, inoculation with P. acidilactici resulted in a reduction of fermentation time and improved the quality of Som-fug. Therefore, P. acidilactici can be used as a potential starter for Som-fug fermentation.     

Characteristic of low-salt solid-state fermentation of Yunnan oil furu with Mucor racemosus: microbiological,biochemical, structural,textural and sensory properties

The effect of reducing salt on the microflora, enzymatic activity and structural, textural and sensory properties of Yunnan oil furu was studied. Oil furu with different salt content, including 11 (control), 9%, 7% and 5%, were prepared. The results showed that lower salt increased fungus and lactic acid bacteria growth, yielding a tastier product. In addition, pathogenic bacterium such as Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella were not detected in Yunnan oil furu during low-salt solid-state fermentation, and the Escherichia coli was <3 MPN g⁻¹. Enzymatic activity decreased slower in low-salt fermented products, leading to more protein hydrolysis. Consequently, the free amino acids and free fatty acids increased significantly. Reduced salt also improved the structural, textural and sensory properties, such as giving a more consistent structure, better spreadability and a better sensory evaluation.     

The sensory quality of dry fermented sausages as affected by fermentation stage and curing agents

The effects on the quality of dry fermented sausages of applying either a slow or rapid fermentation stage, and the addition of either nitrate or nitrite was studied. In the slow fermentation process, TBARS were higher in the batch made with nitrite than in the batch containing nitrate. For rapid fermentation, both batches, with added nitrate and nitrite, presented intermediate TBARS levels. Volatile compounds coming from lipid oxidation and microbial lipid β-oxidation were more abundant (p < 0.05) in the samples submitted to a rapid fermentation stage, whilst compounds coming from amino acid catabolism and carbohydrate fermentation were higher (p < 0.05) in samples subjected to a slow fermentation stage. A significant preference (p < 0.05) was shown during sensory analysis for the batch made with nitrate and submitted to the slow fermentation process in aroma, taste and overall quality, whilst no differences in sensory analysis were detected among batches in the rapid fermentation process. Therefore, the use of nitrate is only justified in slow fermented processes due to its positive effect on the sensory quality of fermented sausages.     

Selected characteristics of dry fermented sausages prepared with quick‐dry‐slice (QDS process) technology and their comparison with traditional products

The aim of the study was to compare selected chemical, microbiological, instrumental, and sensory properties of sliced dry fermented sausages produced using quick‐dry‐slice (QDS) technology or by the traditional way. The fermentation process took place as standard with both the technologies employed, and the level of lactic acid and acetic acid in the QDS products corresponded to the traditional technology. QDS products showed lower pH value, higher total viable count, and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count by approximately 1 log cfu/g (p < .05). Species determination of LAB found the presence of only Pediococcus pentosaceus in QDS products, while species of the genus Lactobacillus were also found in samples of the traditional products. The results of instrumental color analysis did not indicate statistically significant differences between the samples. The sensory analysis of the products revealed only minimal differences.

Practical applications

Quick‐dry‐slice (QDS) technology is a new method for preparing sliced dry meat products that enables shortened production period for fermented sausages. This paper brings a comparison of selected chemical, instrumental, microbiological, and sensory properties of sliced dry fermented sausages produced using QDS technology with similar products produced in the traditional way. The QDS products in our study showed similar sensory, chemical, and instrumental properties and better microbiological quality in comparison to the traditional sausages. QDS technology can be said to be entirely suitable for the preparation of standard industrially produced dry fermented sausages.     

Enhancement of the antioxidant and starch hydrolase inhibitory activities of king coconut water (Cocos nucifera var. aurantiaca) by fermentation with kombucha ‘tea fungus’

Enhancement of antioxidant and starch hydrolase inhibitory properties of king coconut water when subjected to fermentation with the ‘tea fungus’ was evaluated. pH, colour, viscosity, ethanol content, antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, ferulic and p‐coumaric acid contents and starch hydrolase inhibitory activities were analysed for 7 days in fermented and unfermented king coconut water samples. The fermented sample had a statistically significant decrease (P < 0.05) in pH. Colour values indicated the fermented beverage to increase in ‘yellowness’ over time. A statistically significant increase in the total phenolic content and the antioxidant activity (P < 0.05) was observed from day 1 onwards in the fermented sample. The starch hydrolase inhibitory activities in the fermented beverage had statistically significantly increased (P < 0.05) by day 7. Overall, the study highlights an enhancement of the antioxidant and starch hydrolase inhibitory properties of king coconut water as a result of the kombucha‐based fermentation.     

Effect of fermentation metabolites on rheological and sensory properties of fermented rice noodles

BACKGROUND: Considering the effect of natural fermentation on the textural improvement of fermented rice noodles in China and South Asia, and given the lack of reports concerning the roles of fermentation metabolites (enzymes, organic acids, glucose and maltose), this study aims to determine fermentation metabolites produced during fermentation of raw milled rice grains, and investigate their effects on rheological and sensory properties of rice noodles. RESULTS: α‐Amylase activity was correlated with reducing sugar content significantly in the supernatant during fermentation process (r = 0.76, P < 0.05). Lactic acid was the dominant organic acid produced by fermentation. Protein and lipid content decreased significantly by fermentation. Treating the rice grains with trypsin, lipase or lactic acid could modify the rheological characteristics and improve the sensory properties of rice noodles. Removal of protein and lipid by physical extraction confirmed the results. The residue of glucose and maltose in rice flour weakened the noodle texture. CONCLUSIONS: Fermentation of raw milled rice decreased protein and lipid content, increased the purity of rice starch, and thus improved the texture of fermented rice noodles. The low molecule weight sugars produced during fermentation should be removed for their negative effect on texture. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of dietary humate on the pH,TBARS and microbiological properties of vacuum‐ and aerobic‐packed breast and drumstick meats of broilers

The current trial determined the influence of dietary humate, including humic, fulvic and ulmic acids and some microminerals on the pH, TBARS and microbiological properties of vacuum‐packed and aerobic‐packed breast fillets and drumsticks of broilers. A total of 240 male broiler chicks (Ross‐308) were randomly allocated into four dietary treatments (H₀, H₁, H₂ and H₃ groups). A basal diet (H₀), basal diet plus 0.1 (H₁), 0.2 (H₂) and 0.3% (H₃) humate (Farmagulator DRY^?, Humate, Farmavet International Inc, Kocaeli 41 400, Turkey) were offered during the experimental feeding period. At the end of the trial all chicks were slaughtered. After standard dissection of carcasses, the breasts and drumsticks were divided into two groups for vacuum packaging or aerobic packaging. Packed breasts and drumsticks were stored at 3 °C for 12 days. The breasts and drumsticks were analyzed for pH, TBARS, total mesophilic, total psychrotrophic, lactic acid bacteria and Enterobacteriacea counts at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 days of storage. The feeding of humate decreased pH values of breast fillets and drumstick muscles (p < 0.01), especially at the 0.1% level. The TBARS value decreased (p < 0.01) when compared with the without‐humate group (H₀). Total aerobic mesophilic (p < 0.01), total aerobic psychrotrophic (p < 0.01) and lactic acid bacteria (p < 0.05) counts were lower in the H₃ group than the other groups. The effect of meat type on pH, TBARS, total aerobic mesophilic (p < 0.01) and lactic acid bacteria (p < 0.05) and Enterobacteriacea counts was significant. While the pH and TBARS values of breast fillets were lower than those of drumstick meats, the total mesophilic, total psychrotrophic, lactic acid bacteria and Enterobacteriacea counts of drumstick meats were higher than those of breast fillets. The effect of packaging type on pH (p < 0.01), TBARS (p < 0.01), total aerobic psychrotrophic bacteria (p < 0.01) and Enterobacteriacea counts (p < 0.01) was found statistically significant and the maximum values were determined in the aerobic‐packed samples. In addition, investigated parameters were also affected by storage period. While the total aerobic mesophilic count decreased, the other parameters increased when compared with zero day of storage. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of acid whey on physicochemical characteristics of dry‐cured organic pork loins without nitrite

The present study deals with the effect of acid whey (AW) on physicochemical properties of non‐nitrite organic dry‐cured pork loins. The loins were divided into three experimental batches: with the curing mixture (C), with sea salt (S) and with sea salt combined with AW (SW). The evolution of physicochemical properties, colour, fatty acid profile and microbiological quality were assessed at 0, 30 and 90 days of refrigerated storage. Physicochemical parameters of dry‐cured organic loins were significantly (P < 0.01) affected by treatment, storage time and the interaction between them. Sea salt in combination with AW was the most successful at reducing the browning reaction involved in the formation of dark colour in dry‐cured loins. Significant reduction in a* value (P < 0.05) caused by replacement of curing salt by sea salt has been less pronounced in sample with AW. Storage diminished (P < 0.01) initial differences in profile of SFA, MUFA and n‐3 induced by treatment method. AW added to uncured loins was able to protect PUFA against oxidation comparable to nitrite. The highest count of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in dry‐cured loins with AW was accompanied by their lower pH (P < 0.05).     

The use of antifungal oat‐sourdough lactic acid bacteria to improve safety and technological functionalities of the supplemented wheat bread

In the present study, predominant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from oat sourdough. Then, the isolates were screened based on their in vitro antifungal activity. Subsequently, biotechnological capabilities of the selected LAB were evaluated in wheat bread supplemented with controlled fermented oat containing the isolate. Pediococcus pentosaceus was molecular identified as predominant antifungal isolate. Based on our results, fermented oat not only significantly (p < .05) reduced the mold expansion on the produced breads, but also improved the quality attributes of the product. Crumb porosity and antioxidant capacity of the supplemented bread revealed the positive effects of the isolate on textural and functional characteristics of the enriched bread. Wheat bread supplemented with controlled fermented oat had also the highest 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity compared to the other samples. Accordingly, the potential applications of P. pentosaceus isolate as profunctional starter culture in processing of mixed wheat‐oat sourdough bread were verified.     

Functional properties of curry paste in relation to digestibility and fermentation by gut microbiota

The prebiotic properties of sour curry paste in the upper gut and the gut microbiota were investigated in vivo during digestion. The effect of the addition of garcinia as souring agent in curry paste was studied. Curry paste without garcinia (P1) and curry paste with garcinia (P2) increased the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiota, especially bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, and significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the number of harmful bacteria (Clostridia). Fecal fermentation with P1 resulted in a prebiotic index (PI) of 1.19, whereas fermentation with P2 resulted in a PI of 2.75. The fermented metabolites produced were lactic acid; vitamins; and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid. P1 produced metabolites including lactic acid, SCFAs, and B vitamins in higher amounts than P2. After a 24 h fermentation period with colonic microbiota, P1 produced vitamins B1 (18.38 ± 0.10 µg/ml) and B2 (45.28 ± 2.02 µg/ml) but not folic acid, whereas P2 produced only vitamin B1 (5.99 ± 0.48 µg/ml).     

Enzymatic hydrolysis of by‐products from the fish‐filleting industry; chemical characterisation and nutritional evaluation

Fish frames without heads from Atlantic cod and Atlantic salmon were proteolysed with the industrial enzymes neutrase®, alcalase® and pepsin for 1, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min. After 120 min of hydrolysis, salmon treated with alcalase and cod treated with pepsin yielded significantly (p < 0.05) higher protein recoveries (67.6 and 64% respectively) as compared to salmon treated with neutrase or pepsin and cod treated with neutrase or alcalase (53–62%). To minimise bitterness in the fish hydrolysates, kojizyme™ was added after 120 min of pre‐hydrolysis with alcalase, and the hydrolysis was run for additional times of 120, 240, 360, 480, 600 and 720 min. Protein recovery did not change significantly during the hydrolysis with kojizyme, but the degree of hydrolysis increased significantly (p < 0.01) in both the cod and salmon hydrolysates. A hydrolysate from cod treated with alcalase (150 min) followed by treatment with kojizyme (510 min) was produced. The final hydrolysate was freeze‐dried to a fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) and chemically characterised. The nutritional value of the FPH was established in an experiment with rats. Inclusion of 10% FPH‐N showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher nutritional value as compared to rats fed higher inclusion levels of FPH. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Biochemical changes during a submerged chickpea fermentation used as a leavening agent for bread production

Changes in enzyme activities and composition of the fermented liquid during a submerged fermentation of chickpea have been explored. Cellulase, α-galactosidase, invertase, amylase and proteinase activities were detected and maxima were recorded at 10, 12, 8, 10, and 16 h of fermentation, respectively. The population of bacilli in the fermentation liquid increased significantly (p<0.05) up to 8 h and then by 0.8 log₁₀ cfu/mL until 12 h when it was stabilized. The clostridia also increased (p<0.05) throughout fermentation, but most vigorously after 10 h. A gradual decrease in pH (p<0.05) and an increase in acidity (p<0.05) were observed from 10 h onwards. Similarly, the concentration of free fatty acids increased (p<0.05), but appreciably after fermentation for 10 h. The amount of reducing sugars increased (p<0.05) on fermentation for 12 h and then gradually decreased (p<0.05). Most of the soluble carbohydrates also declined with fermentation and starch solubilization-degradation was detected after 8 h. The free amino acid content increased on fermentation, and protein degradation was evident after 8 h of incubation. Overall, the indigenous microbial population of the chickpea fermentation liquid may cause changes in its chemical constituents that can be attributed mainly to bacilli, until 8–10 h of fermentation, and to clostridia thereafter.     

In vitro fermentation kinetics of carbohydrate fractions of fresh forage,silage and hay of Avena sativa

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the influence of preservation methods on the fermentation kinetics of carbohydrate fractions of fresh forage, hay and silage of oats, which have been harvested at the milky stage of grain ripening. Samples of unfractionated forage (WF), residue insoluble in 90% ethanol (EIR) and isolated neutral detergent fibre (NDF) were fermented in vitro and the gas production was monitored. To obtain the gas production and fermentation kinetics of the ethanol‐soluble fraction (A fraction) the gas produced from the EIR fermentation was subtracted from the WF gas at each time point. The same approach was used to obtain the gas production and fermentation kinetics of the fraction insoluble in 90% ethanol but soluble in neutral detergent solution (B₁ fraction), by subtracting the isolated NDF gas curve from the corresponding EIR curve. The fractional maximum rate of gas production (R_M) was lower for both preserved forages (p < 0.01 for silage; p < 0.05 for hay) than for fresh forage. Ensiling did not change the size of the A fraction but reduced by 40% its R_M (p < 0.01) compared with fresh forage. The potential gas production from the B₁ fraction and its R_M were reduced by 19% (p < 0.01) and 44% (p < 0.05), respectively. R_M of both A and B₁ fractions was the same for hay and fresh forage. The curve subtraction technique may be used to obtain an estimation of the rate for neutral detergent‐soluble fractions and to determine changes due to ensiling and haymaking on the rate of gas produced. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Reduction efficiency of the neurotoxin β‐ODAP in low‐toxin varieties of Lathyrus sativus seeds by solid state fermentation with Aspergillus oryzae and Rhizopus microsporus var chinensis

Solid state fermentation of several low‐toxin varieties of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L) seeds with Aspergillus oryzae and Rhizopus microsporus var chinensis removed the neurotoxin β‐ODAP (3‐N‐oxalyl‐L ‐2,3‐diaminopropanoic acid) to a considerable degree from the seed meal. The detoxification efficiency was statistically significant and ranged from 52.4% (p < 0.01) to 82.2% (p < 0.001), which was lower than for a high‐toxin variety processed by the same fermentation procedure (94.8%, p < 0.001). While the content of β‐ODAP decreased, those of other free protein amino acids, especially glutamic acid, histidine, threonine, tyrosine, valine and lysine, increased dramatically in the fermented seeds. Efforts to remove the neurotoxin from Lathyrus sativus either by breeding or by food processing to obtain toxin‐free grass pea seeds have been made worldwide for several decades. The efficiencies of various reported processing methods are summarised and compared. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Type of bacterial starter culture,aging and fermentation effects on some characteristics of inoculated beef sausages

Beef sausage mixes were inoculated with either Pediococcus acidilactici with Staphylococcus xylosus or P. acidilactici with S. carnosus, subdivided and then held for 0, 24, 48 or 72 h at 8–10 °C prior to fermentation. After aging (pre-fermentation holding), the mixes were fermented for 16 h ending at 41 °C. Moisture, protein and fat contents of all sausage mixes did not differ due to holding effects over all starter cultures. The pH of mixes followed the same pattern for all mixes, declining (p < 0.05) from approximately 5.8 to pH 5.2–5.3 at 72 h aging and to 4.4–4.5 after fermentation. Total acidity of the mixes followed an inverse pattern to pH, increasing (p < 0.05) after fermentation although there was no effect due to type of starter culture. Aging had no effect on nonprotein nitrogen (NPN) content as ΔNPN among all cultures. After fermentation, however, sausages held 72 h and inoculated with S. carnosus had higher NPN contents compared to P. acidilactici alone (p < 0.05) and with S. xylosus (p < 0.10). The same effects of starter cultures on changes in total amino acid concentration were observed. Concentrations of individual amino acids showed increases depending on pre-fermentation aging period (0 h versus 72 h) followed by fermentation.     

Characteristics of mung bean starch isolated by using lactic acid fermentation solution as the steeping liquor

Physicochemical properties of commercial mung bean starch isolated with lactic acid fermentation solution (LFS) and starches laboratory-prepared by using NaOH, Na₂SO₃ and distilled water as steeping liquors were examined with the aim of elucidating the effect of different steeping liquors on the properties of starches. Results indicated that the amylose content, granular morphology and X-ray diffraction pattern of starches isolated with different steeping liquors did not show obvious differences. However, the LFS-isolated starch had significantly (p < 0.05) higher weight percentage of longer B chains and B₁ chains, a lower weight percentage of A chains and a lower ratio of short-to-long chains in amylopectin than those of the other preparations. Moreover, the LFS-isolated starch showed significantly (p < 0.05) lower pasting viscosity, a higher onset temperature, a narrower temperature range and a lower enthalpy of gelatinization than the other preparations. No significant differences on the physicochemical properties mentioned above were found among the laboratory-prepared starches. The results suggest that mung bean starch is degraded during isolation with lactic acid fermentation solution, which leads to the loss of starch granules with less integrity.     

Effect of applying formic acid,heterolactic bacteria or homolactic and heterolactic bacteria on the fermentation of bi‐crops of peas and wheat

This work aimed to compare the effectiveness of bacterial inoculants or a chemical additive for preserving whole‐crop silages made from wheat, two pea varieties (cv Magnus or Setchey) or intercrops of wheat and both pea varieties. The forages were harvested when the wheat and peas were at the late milk and yellow wrinkled stages respectively, and conserved in five replicate mini silos without treatment (control) or after treatment with 2.5 g kg^?1 of formic acid (FA) or 1 × 10⁶ cfu g^?1 fresh forage of either of two bacterial inoculants (WholeCrop Gold (WCG) or WholeCrop Legume (WCL), Biotal Ltd, Cardiff, UK). WCG contained Lactobacillus buchneri, while WCL contained L buchneri, L plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus. Chemical composition, fermentation characteristics and in vitro digestibility were measured after 65 days of ensiling. Additive‐treated bi‐crops had lower (P < 0.05) concentrations of soluble N, ammonia N and lactic acid than the controls. Inoculant‐treated bi‐crops had higher (P < 0.001) acetic acid and lower (P < 0.001) residual water‐soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentrations than FA‐treated bi‐crops. WCL‐treated bi‐crops had similar residual WSC concentrations to and higher (P < 0.05) starch concentrations than WCG‐treated bi‐crops. Unlike Magnus pea bi‐crops, Setchey pea bi‐crops treated with WCL had lower concentrations of ammonia N (P < 0.01) and acetic acid (P < 0.001) and higher concentrations of starch (P < 0.001) and lactic acid (P < 0.05) than those treated with WCG. For both bi‐crops, FA‐treated bi‐crops were more stable (P < 0.05) than inoculant‐treated or untreated silages, and the stability of inoculant‐treated and untreated silages was similar. Formic acid treatment was also the most effective at reducing WSC losses in the bi‐crop and pea silages. Inoculant treatment reduced proteolysis in these forages but did not prevent spoilage in the bi‐crops. Additive treatment reduced yeast counts but did not improve the fermentation in wheat silages. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

The effect of different fermentation intervals on the quality characteristics of heat-treated and traditional sucuks

Fermentation time has an influence on the quality characteristics of fermented meat products. The effect of heat treatment on physicochemical, sensory and microbiological properties of sucuk was determined during fermentation and after heat application, and the properties of heat-treated sucuk samples were compared with those of traditional sucuk. Optimum fermentation period was determined for sucuk samples with desirable characteristics. Heat-treated sucuks were fermented at different fermentation intervals (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 days). Nine days of fermentation was included for traditional sucuks. All process parameters were applied under industrial conditions. Heat treatment increased the pH values, dry matter contents (protein, fat and salt), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances of sucuks while decreasing the moisture content, free fatty acidity, and all bacterial counts (total viable and lactic acid bacteria, Staphylococcus/Micrococcus and Enterobacteriaceae) (P < 0.05). Significant differences in the instrumental color properties of heat-treated and traditional sucuk were found (P < 0.05). In terms of physicochemical, sensory and microbial properties, fermentation for three or more days before heat treatment resulted in sucuk samples with better acceptability, and produced sucuk samples with quality characteristics similar to those of traditional sucuks.     

West African sorghum beer fermented with Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae: shelf‐life and consumer acceptance

The fermentation profiles, shelf‐life and consumer acceptance of traditional West African sour sorghum beer (pito) fermented with pure commercial starter cultures of lactic acid bacteria (L. delbrueckii) and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) were evaluated. The beers from this ‘pure culture’ approach were compared with the spontaneous fermentation of pito wort. Lactic acid formation, pH change and extract utilisation were monitored during fermentation. Lactic acid content was used as a measure of sourness to establish the spoilage level of over‐sourness. Further, regression models relating sourness to the time the drink was kept were used to predict the shelf‐life. Consumer acceptance of the product was evaluated using a novel nine‐point hedonic scale. The pure culture and traditionally fermented beers followed similar lactic acid and fermentation profiles but strain‐specific differences were observed. Similar levels of pH, lactic acid level and extract utilisation were achieved. An improvement in shelf‐life of two days was found over traditionally fermented pito. There was no statistical difference between the two pito products for overall liking and taste. However, there was a preference for the aroma of the pure culture pito. It is suggested that the use of pure cultures will facilitate the scale‐up of pito production. © 2019 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling