Influence of an adjunct culture of Lactobacillus on the free amino acids and volatile compounds in a Roncal-type ewe’s-milk cheese

Free amino acids and volatile compounds were analysed in a Roncal-type cheese made from pasteurized ovine milk with and without an added adjunct culture (Lactobacillus paracasei + Lactobacillus plantarum). In both batches, the total free amino acid concentration increased 11–12-fold with ripening time, the main amino acids being Leu, Glu, Lys, Phe, Val, and Ile. At the end of ripening, significant differences were recorded for Leu, Ile, Gaba, Phe, Pser, Ser, Gin, Ala, and Orn.     

The effect of starter cultures on proteolytic changes and amino acid content in fermented sausages

The main objective of this work was to examine the effects of using five types of commercial starter cultures in fermented sausages. During the fermentation stage, changes in proteolytic characteristics were observed in fermented sausages. Proteolytic activity was high in Ls_b + Sc:(Lactobacillus sakei + Staphylococcus carnosus) and Pp + Sx:(Pediococcus pentosaceus + Staphylococcus xylosus) starter-inoculated sausages during processing. Moreover, a slight increase in proteolytic activity was detected during storage in both these sausages. Sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins were also affected by this starter culture addition, during the fermentation, ripening and intense proteolysis were observed in both the fermented sausages. The content of free amino acids was similar at the beginning of the fermentation stage for all the studied batches. However, the high differences in the content of free amino acids at the end of the process could be attributed to the starter culture activity.     

Physicochemical,textural and volatile characteristics of fermented milk co-cultured with Streptococcus thermophilus,Bifidobacterium animalis or Lactobacillus plantarum

Fermented milks were prepared with various culture combinations of Lactobacillus plantarum or Bifidobacterium animalis with Streptococcus thermophilus, and the impact of microbes combinations on acidification, proteolysis, lipolysis, texture, volatiles and sensory quality of fermented milk was investigated during 21-day storage at 4 °C. The results showed that products from the co-cultures displayed higher titratable acidity, more peptides, higher proteolytic activity and lipolysis capacity compared with that from the pure strains of S. thermophilus. When L. plantarum and B. animalis combined in a ratio of 2:1 with S. thermophilus, the products maintained relatively more viable cell counts of the 3 strains, strong proteolysis ability and lipolysis capacity during the storage. Milk fermented by co-cultures of the 3 strains exhibited higher cohesiveness, more volatiles and better sensory quality compared with these fermented by S. thermophilus only or in co-cultures with either B. animalis or L. plantarum based on principal component analysis.     

Utilisation possibility of Enterococcus faecalis isolates from neonate's faeces for production of fermented sausages as starter cultures

This study aimed at assessing the utilisation possibility of Enterococcus faecalis as starter cultures for production of fermented sausages. The E. faecalis isolates isolated from faeces samples of 5‐day‐old healthy newborn babies, identified by 16SrDNA sequencing and free from virulence determinants as proven by genomic sequencing, were used for fermented sausages production as starter culture. Six treatments (four inoculated with four different E. faecalis isolates, one with commercial starter culture and one control) were prepared. The inoculation with E. faecalis showed a stronger acidification compared with the control. The treatments with E. faecalis showed significantly higher flavour and acceptability scores in comparison with the control or commercial starter culture. Both of commercial starter culture and E. faecalis were positive with tyramine. Apart from the amine production, the inoculation with E. faecalis generally improved the acidifying activity and flavour of the products, suggesting their application potentials in fermented sausages production as starter cultures.     

Microbiological,physicochemical and rheological properties of fermented soymilk produced with exopolysaccharide (EPS) producing lactic acid bacteria strains

Growth of Lactobacillus plantarum 70810, Lactobacillus rhamnosus 6005 and a commercial yogurt starter culture in soymilk was investigated in the present study. It was found that the fermented soymilk using L. plantarum 70810 had significantly higher viable cell counts, water holding capacity (WHC, 88.27%), apparent viscosity (1840.35 mPa s) and exopolysaccharide (EPS) amount (832.15 mg/L) than the other two starter cultures in soymilk. Direct observation of microstructure in fermented soymilk indicated that the network structures of EPS-protein could improve the texture of fermented soymilk. Considering that the beneficial effects of L. plantarum 70810 in fermented soymilk, volatile compounds in fermented soymilk were further identified. Then the growth and fermentation characteristics of L. plantarum 70810 including changes in viable cell counts, pH, titratable acidity, apparent viscosity and EPS production during storage were investigated. In comparison to original soymilk base, the concentrations of the characteristic flavor compounds for fermented soymilk using L. plantarum 70810 increased, whereas hexanal, 2-pentylfuran and 2-pentanone in relation to beany flavor of soymilk decreased. In addition, fermented soymilk using L. plantarum 70810 maintained high viable cell count (>10⁸ cfu/mL), apparent viscosity (966.43 mPa s) and amounts of EPS (635.49 mg/mL) during storage at 4 °C for 21 days.     

Effect of farm and industrial processing on the amino acid profile of cocoa beans

An investigation into the amino acid profiles of unfermented and fermented cocoa nibs, as well as process-line cocoa nibs (P-LCN) and processed cocoa cake samples (PCCS) was carried out. In the unfermented cocoa nibs, Glu (128 mg/g crude protein i.e. 128 mg/gcp) was the most abundant amino acid whilst the most concentrated essential amino acid in the same sample was Leu (72.2 mg/g crude protein); in the fermented cocoa nibs, a similar trend was observed, with respective values of Glu (153 mg/gcp) and Leu (62.4 mg/gcp). Lys (181 mg/gcp) was most abundant amino acid in P-LCN and Ile (63.3 mg/gcp) was the second most abundant; also, in PCCS, Lys (52.7 mg/gcp) was the most abundant amino acid but Asp (43.7 mg/gcp) was the second most abundant. The total amino acid content was (mg/gcp), 641 (unfermented nibs), 708 (fermented nibs), 635 (P-LCN) and 368 (PCCS), with corresponding essential amino acids of 300, 287, 478 and 185 (all with His), respectively. Based on whole hen’s egg, the limiting amino acids for the samples were: Ser (unfermented nibs), Met (fermented nibs), Ala (P-LCN) and Val (PCCS), whereas under provisional amino acid scoring pattern, they were: Met + Cys (unfermented nibs), Met + Cys (fermented nibs), Thr (P-LCN) and Val (PCCS). Prolonged and high heat treatments appeared to have reduced the essential amino acids of the PCCS as compared to the P-LCN. Significant differences existed between contents of essential amino acids and non-essential amino acids at p < 0.05 in unfermented cocoa nibs, fermented cocoa nibs and P-LCN.     

Effects of fat replacement with a mixture of collagen and dietary fibre on small calibre fermented sausages

Effects of fat replacement on physicochemical, microbial and sensory properties of fermented sausages were determined after drying process and 4 weeks of storage. Fermented sausages were formulated with 20% pork back fat (control), and three reduced‐fat treatments were prepared by replacing 25%, 50%, and 75% of fat with a mixture of collagen, dietary fibre and ice (1:1:8). TBARS values of reduced‐fat treatments were significantly lower compared with control after drying (P ≤ 0.05). As fat replacing ratio increased, fat content decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.05), whereas moisture, protein and ash content increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05). There was no marked difference between the treatments in terms of microbial analysis, sensory colour, flavour, off‐flavour or overall acceptability (P > 0.05) during refrigerated storage. Therefore, replacing pork back fat with a mixture of collagen and dietary fibre in fermented sausages may contribute to reduce lipid oxidation and maintain sensory properties during storage.     

Physicochemical Properties,Fatty Acid Profiles,and Sensory Characteristics of Fermented Beef Sausage by Probiotics Lactobacillus plantarum IIA‐2C12 or Lactobacillus acidophilus IIA‐2B4

Probiotics may be used to enhance the functionality and nutritional values of fermented sausages. This study aims to evaluate the physicochemical and sensory properties of beef sausages fermented by lactic acid bacteria of Lactobacillus plantarum IIA‐2C12 and L. acidophilus IIA‐2B4. These strains were isolated from beef cattle and have shown to display probiotic features. While the nutrient contents were not affected by the probiotics, the pH, texture, and color varied among the sausages. Further analysis on fatty acids showed different profiles of saturated (C14:0, C17:0, and C20:0) and unsaturated (C14:1, C18:1n9c, C18:2n6c, and C22:6n3) fatty acids in sausages with probiotics. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry further revealed some flavor development compounds including acid, alcohols, aldehydes, aromatic, ketones, sulfur, hydrocarbons and terpenes, varied among the sausages. Hedonic test showed no difference in the preference toward aroma, texture, and color for untrained panelists.     

Characterization of Proteolytic Effect of Lactic Acid Bacteria Starter Cultures on Thai Fermented Sausages

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of starter culture addition on proteolysis of Thai fermented sausages. Sausages inoculated with six different external starter cultures—Pediococcus pentosaceous, Pediococcus acidilactici, Weissella cibaria, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus pentosus, and Lactobacillus sakei—were compared with naturally fermented sausages. The results of microbiological analysis indicated that the dominance of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) could inhibit the growth of pathogens and spoilage. Proteolysis was observed during fermentation by the reduction of myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic proteins and the increase in nonprotein nitrogen (NPN) and total free amino acids. The highest increase in concentration of NPN and free amino acids was obtained from sausages inoculated with LAB. Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed a similar pattern of proteolysis of sarcoplasmic proteins in all sausages, while that of the inoculated sausages with L. plantarum, L. pentsus, and L. sakei exhibited increased degradation of myofibrillar protein bands at 200 and 45 kDa.     

Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum on the survival of acid‐tolerant non‐O157 Shiga toxin‐producing E. coli (STEC) strains in fermented goat's milk

The ability of goat's milk fermented with a Lactobacillus plantarum strain B411, and in combination with commercial starter culture, to inhibit acid‐adapted (AA) and non‐acid‐adapted (NAA) environmental non‐O157 STEC strains was investigated. Acid‐adapted and NAA non‐O157 STEC strains were not inhibited in the L. plantarum‐fermented goat's milk, while the goat's milk fermented with the combination of L. plantarum and starter culture inhibited AA more than NAA non‐O157 STEC strains. Environmental acid‐tolerant non‐O157 STEC strains were not inhibited by L. plantarum, starter culture or combination of starter culture with L. plantarum unless they were subjected to prior acid adaptation such as backslopping.     

Effect of encapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum as probiotic on dry-sausages during chilled storage

The impact of free and encapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum addition on the physicochemical and microbiological properties during chilled storage (60 days) of dry-fermented sausages have been studied. Control (C) treatment was performed without probiotic incorporation, and the reformulation was comprised of L. plantarum as free cells (F) in alginate spheres (EA), in water-in-oil simple emulsion (ESM) and in water-in-oil-in-water double emulsion (EDM). After 60 days of storage, lower (P < 0.05) lipid oxidation was observed in F and EA (0.602–0.625 mg MDA kg⁻¹) while it was higher (P < 0.05) in EDM (1.949 mg MDA kg⁻¹). Treatments C and ESM presented intermediate TBARS levels compared to other treatments at the end of storage. All dry-fermented sausages presented high levels of lactic acid bacteria during the whole chilled storage (8.06–9.29 log CFU g⁻¹ at day 0 and 8.02–9.35 log CFU g⁻¹); however, EA treatment presented the highest L. plantarum viability even at 60 days of storage (8.34 log CFU g⁻¹). Therefore, the strategy of L. plantarum inoculation in alginate spheres seems to be the best strategy for the delivery of probiotics during chilled storage of dry-fermented sausages.     

Effect of autochthonous starter cultures on the volatile flavour compounds of Chinese traditional fermented fish (Suan yu)

Effect of autochthonous starter cultures on the volatile flavour compounds of Chinese traditional fermented fish was studied. Lactobacillus plantarum 120, Staphylococcus xylosus 135 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae 31, isolated from Suan yu, were selected as starter cultures. Volatiles were extracted by headspace solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) and analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry technology (GC‐MS). Esters and alcohols were the main components of volatiles, accounting for over 50 percentage points in all samples. The highest content of esters (3034.54 μg kg^?1) was observed in S1 inoculated with L. plantarum 120, while the highest content of alcohols (2164.53 μg kg^?1) and ketones (379.98 μg kg^?1) was detected in S3 inoculated with S. cerevisiae 31. The content of acids and aldehydes was lower in inoculated samples. Principal component analysis revealed that the volatile composition was primarily influenced by the nature of the starter cultures. L. plantarum 120 and S. xylosus 135 could accelerate fermentation.     

Fermentation of bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) surimi and the characteristics of fermented bighead carp surimi products

BACKGROUND: To improve the properties and functionality of bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) muscle, bighead carp surimi was inoculated with combinations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus and Monascus and fermented, and then bighead carp sausages were prepared. The characteristics of fermented bighead carp surimi and sausages were investigated. RESULTS: During the 24 h fermentation at 30 °C, bighead carp surimi inoculated with mixed starter cultures resulted in a rapid decrease of pH, and suppression in the growth of Enterobacteria. The bighead carp sausages exhibited better colour, taste, flavour and appearance than the control (P < 0.05). The changes in non‐protein nitrogen (NPN), free amino acid in the fermented bighead carp surimi and SDS–PAGE patterns indicated that severe hydrolysis of muscle protein had occurred during fermentation. The sausages inoculated with the mixed starter cultures gained higher scores for flavour and overall acceptability than the control. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristic of fermented bighead carp surimi and sausages can be significantly improved by fermentation with the combinations of yeast, Lactobacillus and Monascus. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of selected autochthonous starter cultures on processing and quality characteristics of Greek fermented sausages

Selected autochthonous starter (SAS) cultures (i.e. Lactobacillus sakei 8416, Lactobacillus sakei 4413, and L. sakei 8426, L. plantarum 7423 and L. curvatus 8427) were used as starter cultures in addition to a control treatment in the production of fermented sausages. The SAS cultures had a rapid growth and dominated the fortuitous population of LAB during the whole fermentation and ripening process improving the sensory attributes in comparison to control. Apart from the treatment produced with L. sakei 8416, all other SAS cultures prevented the lipid oxidation to values lower than 1 mg malonaldehyde/kg. The Micrococcaceae count and the redness of the sausages was not affected by the smoking and the acidification during the fermentation in the treatments produced with L. sakei 8416 and L. sakei 4413. The treatment of L. sakei 4413 had the lowest (*P < 0.05) content of all biogenic amines. In comparison to the control, the reduction of tyramine was 13%, tryptamine 55%, cadaverine 60% and putrescine 72%. Sausages produced with SAS cultures L. sakei 4413 and L. sakei 8416 had the highest scores for all sensory attributes. The results indicated that the SAS culture of L. sakei 4413 is the best autochthonous starter culture for fermented sausages.     

Potential for prevention of non‐O157 Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli contamination in traditionally fermented African maize gruel by fermentative probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum

Non‐O157 Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are a frequent cause of STEC‐related infections such as diarrhoea. Fermentation by presumptive probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum strain B411 isolated from cereal fermentation was investigated to prevent the growth of acid‐adapted (AA) and non‐acid‐adapted (NAA) non‐O157 STEC in traditionally fermented maize gruel, a widely used complementary food in Africa. L. plantarum strain B411 possessed probiotic characteristics and antimicrobial activity against selected pathogenic bacteria. Growth of AA and NAA non‐O157 STEC strains was substantially inhibited by 3.6 and 4.8 log reductions, respectively, in the maize gruel fermented with the L. plantarum B411, while their growth was only inhibited by 1.0 and 1.2 log reductions, respectively, by traditional fermentation alone. Inclusion of fermentative strains of L. plantarum exhibiting probiotic activity is a feasible method to ensure safety of traditionally fermented African cereal porridges through inhibition of non‐O157 STEC.     

Production of salami from beef, horse, mutton, Blesbok (Damaliscus dorcas phillipsi) and Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) with bacteriocinogenic strains of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus curvatus

Lactobacillus plantarum 423, producer of bacteriocin 423, Lactobacillus curvatus DF38, producer of curvacin DF38, and a bacteriocin-negative mutant of L. plantarum 423 (423m) were evaluated as starter cultures in the production of salami from beef, horse, mutton, Blesbok (Damaliscus dorcas phillipsi) and Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis). Growth of L. plantarum 423 and L. curvatus DF38 was best supported in Blesbok salami, as revealed by the highest growth rate during sweating, cold smoking and maturation, and final cell numbers after 70 days (1 × 10⁸ and 5 × 10⁷ cfu/g, respectively). Growth of Listeria innocua was the best suppressed in Blesbok salami fermented with L. plantarum 423 and L. curvatus DF38. Growth of L. innocua in horse salami was best suppressed when fermented with L. curvatus DF38. The final pH of salami fermented with L. plantarum 423 and L. plantarum 423m was slightly lower (4.4) compared to the pH of salami produced with L. curvatus DF38 (pH 4.7). No significant differences (P > 0.05) were recorded by a trained sensory taste panel amongst the three starter cultures regarding colour and venison like aroma. Horse, Blesbok and Springbok salami were rated significantly higher (P ? 0.05) in salami flavour than mutton salami, which was rated the lowest for this attribute. Blesbok salami was rated the highest for sour meat aroma, while beef salami was rated the lowest. Springbok salami was rated the highest in terms of oily mouth feel. Beef salami had the most compact structure and horse salami the softest structure of all meat types fermented. In general, salami produced with L. plantarum 423 yielded the best sour meat aroma, colour, texture, venison like flavour, sour meat flavour and oily mouthfeel and is considered superior to the L. plantarum mutant (strain 423m) and L. curvatus DF38.     

To improve the gel properties of liquid whole egg by short-term lactic acid bacteria fermentation

Fermentation, as a simple, safe and environmentally friendly technology, is promising in the modification of proteins. In this study, the liquid whole egg (LWE) was fermented at 37 °C by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 90 (L. plantarum 90) which the dose of inoculation was about 8 Log 10 CFU mL⁻¹. During the process, the total aerobic mesophilic count (TAM) and the number of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) of LWE increased at 3 h and then decreased, consistent with the changes in protein solubility. Besides, the T₂ relaxation time of fermented egg gels moved to low relaxation time (T₂₂ shifted from 2154.44 ms (0 h) to 1232.85 ms (9 h)), indicating that the water retention of fermented egg gels was enhanced. After fermentation, it could be seen intuitively that the porous structure of the gel surface almost disappeared, along with the improved springiness and brightness by texture and color measurement. This study suggested that moderate fermentation (L. plantarum 90, 1% v/v, 9 h) could effectively improve the gel property of LWE, and thus had a potential to expand the application of LWE in the food industry.     

Antioxidant activity of prebiotic ginseng polysaccharides combined with potential probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum C88

The potential prebiotic properties of Panax ginseng polysaccharides were studied using ten strains of Lactobacillus plantarum isolated from traditional Chinese fermented foods. These probiotics showed different growth characteristics depending on the extract and strain specificity. L. plantarum C88 showed higher cell densities and growth rate when cultured on P. ginseng polysaccharides. In the in vitro antioxidant assay, P. ginseng polysaccharides combined with L. plantarum C88 were found to possess significant DPPH, ABTS and superoxide anion radicals scavenging activities, and acidic polysaccharides showed better antioxidant activity than neutral polysaccharides. Furthermore, we evaluated the antioxidant effect of acidic P. ginseng polysaccharide combined with L. plantarum C88 strain in natural ageing mice in vivo. Acidic P. ginseng polysaccharide and L. plantarum C88 together inhibited the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant capacities (T‐AOC) in a dose‐dependent manner.     

Effect of substrate composition and inoculum on the fermentation kinetics and flavour compound profiles of potentially non-dairy probiotic formulations

Most of the commercialized probiotic formulations are dairy-based, and the development of non-dairy probiotic products could be a key area for new functional products. It has been proved that probiotic microorganisms can grow on cereal-based substrates, but flavour development in these has not been studied. In this work nine prospective cereal-based probiotic beverages were produced by inoculating oats, barley and malt substrates with single cultures of Lactobacillus acidophilus (NCIMB 8821), Lactobacillus plantarum (NCIMB 8826), and Lactobacillus reuteri (NCIMB 11951). Volatile, and non-volatile flavour compounds, as well as cell growth, pH, free amino nitrogen (FAN), and total reducing sugars (TRS) profiles were monitored during fermentation. The malt beverage inoculated with L. plantarum had the highest amounts of acetaldehyde and diacetyl with concentrations of 6.21 mg/L and 0.38 mg/L respectively. The greatest amount of lactic acid (4.2 g/L) was measured in the malt beverage inoculated with L. acidophilus. In most of the beverages the maximum cell growth was reached after 8 h of fermentation (6.4–8.2 Log₁₀ CFU/mL). It is clear from this work that each microorganism develops different flavours in the three media tested, and the right combination of microorganisms and substrates could lead to palatable probiotic products.