Fermentation for tailoring the technological and health related functionality of food products

Abstract

Fermented foods are experiencing a resurgence due to the consumers’ growing interest in foods that are natural and health promoting. Microbial fermentation is a biotechnological process which transforms food raw materials into palatable, nutritious and healthy food products. Fermentation imparts unique aroma, flavor and texture to food, improves digestibility, degrades anti-nutritional factors, toxins and allergens, converts phytochemicals such as polyphenols into more bioactive and bioavailable forms, and enriches the nutritional quality of food. Fermentation also modifies the physical functional properties of food materials, rendering them differentiated ingredients for use in formulated foods. The science of fermentation and the technological and health functionality of fermented foods is reviewed considering the growing interest worldwide in fermented foods and beverages and the huge potential of the technology for reducing food loss and improving nutritional food security.     

Lactic Acid Fermentation of Edible Mushrooms: Tradition,Technology, Current State of Research: A Review

Pickling is one of the methods for preserving food. However, this term may refer to both types of products, that is, to those subjected to lactic acid fermentation and to marinated ones (acidified) that are usually produced by the addition of acetic acid. Various raw materials are subjected to lactic acid fermentation (vegetable and animal origin), which yields food products with high nutritional and dietary value. In many regions of the world, the process of lactic fermentation is also traditionally used to preserve fruiting bodies of edible mushrooms. Mushrooms are appreciated for their organoleptic qualities as well as the presence of many different bioactive substances exhibiting healing and health‐promoting properties. This article reviews the literature related to the use of lactic fermentation in the process of mushroom preservation. Particular attention has been paid to the aspects of the technological process and its impact on the quality and suitability of the final products. Moreover, research results concerning the influence of lactic fermentation on chemical and physical changes in fruiting bodies of edible fungi are also presented.     

Effects of different souring methods on the protein quality and iron and zinc bioaccessibilities of non-alcoholic beverages from sorghum and amaranth

Souring by lactic acid fermentation and lactic acid acidification as well as inclusion of amaranth were explored as ways of improving the protein quality and iron and zinc bioaccessibilities of non-alcoholic sorghum-based beverages. The bioaccessible iron and zinc increased by 128–372%, 24–194%, respectively, in the fermented and chemically acidified beverages compared to the beverages without fermentation or acidification. The protein digestibility, reactive lysine, and bioaccessible iron in sorghum-amaranth beverages increased by 14–58%, 24–52% and 34–64%, respectively, compared with the 100% sorghum beverages. Both fermentation and acidification with lactic acid have the potentials for improving the nutritional quality of cereal-based foods as a means of combating protein malnutrition and iron and zinc deficiencies.     

Effects of processing sorghum and millets on their phenolic phytochemicals and the implications of this to the health‐enhancing properties of sorghum and millet food and beverage products

Sorghum and millet grains are generally rich in phytochemicals, particularly various types of phenolics. However, the types and amounts vary greatly between and within species. The food‐processing operations applied to these grains, i.e. dehulling and decortication, malting, fermentation and thermal processing, dramatically affect the quantity of phenolics present, most generally reducing them. Thus the levels of phytochemicals in sorghum and millet foods and beverages are usually considerably lower than in the grains. Notwithstanding this, there is considerable evidence that sorghum and millet foods and beverages have important functional and health‐promoting effects, specifically antidiabetic, cardiovascular disease and cancer prevention, due to the actions of these phytochemicals. Also their lactic acid bacteria‐fermented products may have probiotic effects related to their unique microflora. However, direct proof of these health‐enhancing effects is lacking as most studies have been carried out on the grains or grain extracts and not the food and beverage products themselves, and also most research work has been in vitro or ex vivo and not in vivo. To provide the required evidence, better designed studies are needed. The sorghum and millet products should be fully characterised, especially their phytochemical composition. Most importantly, well‐controlled human clinical studies and intervention trials are required. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

Cereal-based fermented foods and beverages

Cereal grains constitute a major source of dietary nutrients all over the world. Although cereals are deficient in some basic components (e.g. essential aminoacids), fermentation may be the most simple and economical way of improving their nutritional value, sensory properties, and functional qualities. This review focuses first on some of the indigenous fermented foods and beverages produced world-wide that have not received the scientific attention they deserve in the last decades. Products produced from different cereal substrates (sometimes mixed with other pulses) fermented by lactic acid bacteria, yeast and/or fungi are included. Finally, newly developed cereal-based foods with enhanced health properties will also be reviewed.     

海藻乳酸菌发酵的研究进展

海藻是一类重要的海洋资源,富含大量营养元素如蛋白质、碳水化合物、维生素和矿物质,以及多糖、酚类等生物活性物质。由于海藻营养价值极高,利用乳酸菌发酵海藻促进生物活性化合物的产生和释放,具有良好的健康效益。因此,本文根据国内外近年来利用乳酸菌发酵海藻的相关研究报道,对乳酸菌发酵类型、乳酸菌发酵海藻的可行性和乳酸菌主要种类、以及乳酸菌在海藻发酵中的效果和作用进行阐述,同时综述了乳酸菌发酵海藻在食品行业中的开发应用现状,并对今后发展趋势和前景进行展望,为藻类乳酸菌发酵制品的开发提供一定参考。     

Effects of Fermented Edible Seeds and Their Products on Human Health: Bioactive Components and Bioactivities

There is a long history of using fermentation in food production. Edible seeds, such as certain beans and cereal grains, are important in the human diet and provide many health benefits. Various microbes, such as lactic acid bacteria, molds, and yeasts, considered as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) microbes, are commonly used to ferment edible seeds and their products. Fermentation can change bioactive components and produce new bioactivities. In order to highlight the importance of fermentation on bioactive components and bioactivities in edible seeds, this review, therefore, summarizes recent relevant studies and discusses fermentation procedures and influences of fermentation on their bioactive components and bioactivities. Overall, fermented edible seeds and their products contain enhanced bioactive components, especially γ‐aminobutyric acid and natural phenolics, and they possess versatile bioactivities, such as antioxidant and anti‐cancer effects, and, therefore, can be recommended as an important part of the human diet, or they can be developed into functional foods to help in the prevention of certain chronic diseases.     

Invited review: Potential antiobesity effect of fermented dairy products

The growing prevalence of obesity affects millions of people around the world and has gained increased attention over the years because it is associated with the development of other chronic degenerative diseases. Different organizations recommend lifestyle changes to treat obesity; nevertheless, other strategies in addition to lifestyle changes have recently been suggested. One of these strategies is the use of probiotics in fermented dairy products; however, a need exists to review the different studies available related to the potential antiobesity effect of these products. Because probiotic fermented dairy products that support weight management are not available in the market, there is a great opportunity for the development of functional dairy products with new lactic acid bacteria that may present this added health benefit. Thus, the purpose of this overview is to highlight the importance of probiotic fermented dairy products as potential antiobesogenic functional foods and present in vitro and in vivo studies required before this kind of product may be introduced to the market. Overall, most studies attributed the antiobesity effect of fermented dairy foods to the probiotic strains present; however, bioactive peptides released during milk fermentation may also be responsible for this effect.     

Probiotic potentials of cereal-based beverages

Probiotics offer remarkable potential for the prevention and management of various infective and noninfective disorders. They are reported to play key roles in the suppression of gastrointestinal infections, antimicrobial activity, improvement in lactose metabolism, reduction in serum cholesterol, immune system stimulation, antimutagenic properties, anticarcinogenic properties, anti-diarrheal properties, and improvement in inflammatory bowel disease. Although probiotic foods are classically confined to beverages and cheese, containing live organisms of the lactic acid bacteria family, such health-promoting foods are traditionally dairy-based, comprising milk and its fermented products. However, recent research focuses on the probiotic potentials of fermented cereal-based beverages which are especially consumed in developing countries characterized by low nutritional security and high incidence of gut pathogen infections. Moreover, lactose intolerance and cholesterol content associated with dairy products, coupled with the vegetarian tendencies of diverse populations in the third world, tend to enforce the recent recourse to nondairy beverages. Probiotic microorganisms are mostly of human or animal origin; however, strains recognized as probiotics are also found in nondairy fermented substrates. This review examines the potentials of some traditional cereal-based beverages to serve as probiotic foods, their microbial and functional properties, as well as their process optimization and storage for enhanced utilization.     

乳酸菌发酵对刺五加叶活性成分、体外抗氧化作用与降血糖相关酶的影响

为了对刺五加叶在益生菌发酵保健品领域的应用提供理论基础,以刺五加叶为原料,采用嗜酸乳杆菌、干酪乳杆菌、植物乳杆菌3种乳酸菌进行发酵,对发酵前后刺五加叶中活性成分含量变化进行研究,并评价刺五加叶乳酸菌发酵物的体外抗氧化作用与对降血糖相关酶的影响.结果表明:不同菌种的发酵能力存在差异,植物乳杆菌、嗜酸乳杆菌发酵显著增加了刺...     

The Beneficial Use of Cereal and Cereal Components in Probiotic Foods

Cereals and cereal components can be used as fermentation substrates for probiotic organisms imparting prebiotic effects. Consumer interest in healthy functional foods has resulted in the need for food products with versatile health-benefiting properties. The conventional choice for probiotic food applications has been dairy-based products, but whole grain-based probiotic functional foods have debuted in Japan and Europe. In the US, pro- and prebiotics are mainly marketed as dietary supplements, but are moving towards inclusion in the diet as mainstream foods. Cereal constituents, such as wheat bran-based ingredients fermented with probiotics, would enhance consumer health with the benefits of probiotics, bran fiber, and healthful bioactive components.     

Fermented Milks and Milk Products as Functional Foods—A Review

Fermented foods and beverages possess various nutritional and therapeutic properties. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) play a major role in determining the positive health effects of fermented milks and related products. The L. acidophilus and Bifidobacteria spp are known for their use in probiotic dairy foods. Cultured products sold with any claim of health benefits should meet the criteria of suggested minimum number of more than 10⁶ cfu/g at the time of consumption. Yoghurt is redefined as a probiotic carrier food. Several food powders like yoghurt powder and curd (dahi) powder are manufactured taking into consideration the number of organisms surviving in the product after drying. Such foods, beverages and powders are highly acceptable to consumers because of their flavor and aroma and high nutritive value. Antitumor activity is associated with the cell wall of starter bacteria and so the activity remains even after drying. Other health benefits of fermented milks include prevention of gastrointestinal infections, reduction of serum cholesterol levels and antimutagenic activity. The fermented products are recommended for consumption by lactose intolerant individuals and patients suffering from atherosclerosis. The formulation of fermented dietetic preparations and special products is an expanding research area. The health benefits, the technology of production of fermented milks and the kinetics of lactic acid fermentation in dairy products are reviewed here.     

大米为原料研制乳酸饮料和风味食品

<正> 一、试验目的意义及其经济效益预测 据有关资料报道,乳酸菌类在食品发酵工业中被广泛应用,是基于它的商品价值和营养保健效果。不少国家已将乳酸菌应用于发酸乳制品、饮料、酸味面包等食品加工。乳酸菌在发酵过程中能生成乳酸和多种氨基酸等营养物质,赋于食品特有的风味,且能提高食品的保存性能。如长期摄食含乳酸菌的食品,能抑制人体消化道内腐败细菌的繁殖,具有清肠胃助消     

Bioprotective potential of lactic acid bacteria in malting and brewing

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are naturally associated with many foods or their raw ingredients and are popularly used in food fermentation to enhance the sensory, aromatic, and textural properties of food. These microorganisms are well recognized for their biopreservative properties, which are achieved through the production of antimicrobial compounds such as lactic acid, diacetyl, bacteriocins, and other metabolites. The antifungal activity of certain LAB is less well characterized, but organic acids, as yet uncharacterized proteinaceous compounds, and cyclic dipeptides can inhibit the growth of some fungi. A variety of microbes are carried on raw materials used in beer brewing, rendering the process susceptible to contamination and often resulting in spoilage or inferior quality of the finished product. The application of antimicrobial-producing LAB at various points in the malting and brewing process could help to negate this problem, providing an added hurdle for spoilage organisms to overcome and leading to the production of a higher quality beer. This review outlines the bioprotective potential of LAB and its application with specific reference to the brewing industry.     

Pulsed electric fields as an alternative to thermal processing for preservation of nutritive and physicochemical properties of beverages: A review

Fruit juices and other beverages constitute an important source of bioactive compounds, but thermal processing may reduce their contents thus decreasing natural nutritive value of foods. This has been recently led to the use of non‐thermal technologies, especially pulsed electric fields (PEF) as an interesting alternative to thermal pasteurization of beverages. Reported results show that PEF is a useful for pasteurization of fruit juices that can minimize changes in physicochemical and nutritional properties with retention of higher amounts of health‐related phytochemicals. This study presents an overview of the effect of PEF on the physicochemical (e.g., Brix, pH, viscosity, acidity, color, aroma, and flavor, etc.) and nutritional (e.g., fatty acids and free amino acids, bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacity, etc.) properties of beverages.

Practical applications

Pulsed electric fields is suitable technological option for pasteurization, able to preserve valued bioactive compounds in beverages. Over the last decade, PEF has attracted a significant interest from various food industries and found numerous applications. However, chemical profile of food matrices has great influence on PEF, hence success of the treatment has to be evaluated and reported for each particular food. Accordingly, this review made systematic overview of the effects of PEF processing on the physicochemistry and nutrition with focus on beverages manufactured from various raw materials. Provided data can be applied for steering future uses of the PEF in processing, as well as directions of the future research with this useful technology.     

Recent progress in the use of functional foods for older adults: A narrative review

The number and proportion of older adults are increasing globally, and it is predicted that in 2020, there will be 723 million people worldwide aged 66 and older. In recent decades, numerous studies showed that healthy eating is positively associated with better nutritional status and quality of life, and the decreased incidence of noncommunicable diseases. As older adults become health conscious, the demand for foods and beverages rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds has increased. The increased demand for healthy food stimulated a recent rapid increase in designing, producing, and marketing functional foods to prevent or correct nutrient deficiencies and to improve the nutritional status of older adults. These functional products contain and/or are enriched with dietary fiber; omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids; phytoestrogens; polyphenols; carotenoids such as alpha‐ and beta‐carotene; lutein and zeaxanthin; pre‐, pro‐, and synbiotics; and plant sterols and stanols. A limited number of publications have thoroughly addressed the effect of functional foods on the nutritional status of older adults. The goal of this review was to review existing recent research on the role of functional foods in healthy and active aging.     

A review on selection of fermentative microorganisms for functional foods and beverages: the production and future perspectives

Fermentation has been employed as a traditional means of improving the shelf life and nutritional contents of foods, thus making fermented foods and beverages functional and therapeutic. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) plays a major role in determining the health benefits of fermented milk and related products. This review takes into cognizance numerous investigations reporting certain microbial strains and mixes to contribute safety, quality, stability, health and organoleptic properties to fermented foods, due to increased consumers’ awareness of food products with health claims. A look was taken at selection criteria for the ideal fermentative microbial species and strains, their usefulness and prospective ‘OMICS‘-based approaches to elucidating fermentative complex communities in relation to their effects on fermented food products. Moreover, recommendations were given for improved fermentation of beverages and functional foods. It is projected that fermented foods and beverages will continually be a paramount in the global food and emerging functional food market.     

Biochemical,microbiological, and nutritional aspects of kimchi (Korean fermented vegetable products)

Kimchi is a traditional, fermented Korean food that is prepared through a series of processes, including pretreatment of oriental cabbage (or radish), brining, blending with various spices and other ingredients, and fermentation. The characteristics of kimchi differ depending on the kimchi varieties, raw materials used, process, fermentation, and preservation methods. However, kimchi has typical biochemical, nutritional, and organoleptic properties and health‐related functions. Kimchi fermentation is initiated by various microorganisms originally present in the raw materials, but the fermentation is gradually dominated by lactic acid bacteria. Numerous physicochemical and biological factors influence the fermentation, growth, and sequential appearance of principal microorganisms involved in the fermentation. Complex biochemical changes occur depending on the environmental conditions before, during, and after fermentation. The most important characteristics are the compositional changes of sugars and vitamins (especially ascorbic acid), formation and accumulation of organic acids, and texture degradation and softening. Nutritionally, kimchi is an important source of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and other nutrients. This review covers in some detail the biochemical, microbiological, and nutritional characteristics of kimchi.     

酵母菌乳酸菌共发酵对荔枝汁品质的影响

本研究以鲜榨荔枝汁为原料,分别对其进行干酪乳杆菌及三种酵母菌(BO213、D254、EC1118)的复合发酵,探索发酵过程中乳酸菌活菌数、pH、可溶性固形物、糖组分、有机酸、DPPH?清除能力以及感官指标等变化。结果表明：发酵后荔枝汁中的乳酸菌活菌数均高于7 lg (cfu/mL),均具有一定的益生功能。复合发酵不仅能促进干酪乳杆菌的生长,还能降低荔枝汁的糖度,且酒精度低于0.50%,符合无醇饮料的标准。随着发酵时间的延长,各组的糖含量均呈现下降的趋势。发酵24 h后干酪乳杆菌单独发酵组的乳酸含量显著低于复合发酵组,从高到低依次为：D254+干酪组(6.62 g/L)>Ec1118+干酪组(6.55 g/L)>BO213+干酪组(2.35 g/L)>干酪组(0.94 g/L)。D254+干酪组、Ec1118+干酪组发酵24 h的荔枝汁体外抗氧化能力(DPPH?清除能力)相比单独发酵组更具优势。发酵后的荔枝汁香气更佳,且复合发酵优于单独发酵,其中BO213+干酪组的香气最好,Ec1118+干酪组次之。综上,通过Ec1118+干酪乳杆菌可制得一款风味良好、营养丰富的发酵无醇益生荔枝饮料。     

三种益生菌发酵剂固态发酵对豆粕营养品质的影响

采用三种益生菌发酵剂固态发酵豆粕,通过测定发酵豆粕的感官品质、pH值、有益微生物含量、营养指标及卫生指标,比较三种益生菌发酵剂对豆粕品质的影响,以期筛选出适宜豆粕发酵的最优益生菌发酵剂。结果表明,益生菌发酵剂A和C对发酵豆粕的感官性状影响不大,三种益生菌发酵剂均能够显著降低发酵豆粕的pH值、大肠杆菌（Escherichia coli）和霉菌数量（P＜0.05）,显著提高有益微生物数量、粗蛋白、酸溶蛋白、总酸和有机酸含量（P＜0.05）。三种益生菌中以益生菌发酵剂A和益生菌发酵剂C效果即乳酸菌和酵母菌固态发酵豆粕效果较好,结合成本考虑优先选择益生菌发酵剂C。