Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus on Physicochemical Properties of Fermented Plant-Based Raw Materials

To overcome texture and flavor challenges in fermented plant-based product development, the potential of microorganisms is generating great interest in the food industry. This study examines the effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus on physicochemical properties of fermented soy, oat, and coconut. L. rhamnosus was combined with different lactic acid bacteria strains and Bifidobacterium. Acidification, titratable acidity, and viability of L. rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium were evaluated. Oscillation and flow tests were performed to characterize rheological properties of fermented samples. Targeted and untargeted volatile organic compounds in fermented samples were assessed, and sensory evaluation with a trained panel was conducted. L. rhamnosus reduced fermentation time in soy, oat, and coconut. L. rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium grew in all fermented raw materials above 10⁷ CFU/g. No significant effect on rheological behavior was observed when L. rhamnosus was present in fermented samples. Acetoin levels increased and acetaldehyde content decreased in the presence of L. rhamnosus in all three bases. Diacetyl levels increased in fermented oat and coconut samples when L. rhamnosus was combined with a starter culture containing Streptococcus thermophilus and with another starter culture containing S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus and Bifidobacterium. In all fermented oat samples, L. rhamnosus significantly enhanced fermented flavor notes, such as sourness, lemon, and fruity taste, which in turn led to reduced perception of base-related attributes. In fermented coconut samples, gel firmness perception was significantly improved with L. rhamnosus. The findings suggest that L. rhamnosus can improve fermentation time and sensory perception of fermented plant-based products.

Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus on Physicochemical Properties of Fermented Plant-Based Raw Materials

Texture and flavor are currently the main challenges in the development of plant-based dairy alternatives. To overcome them, the potential of microorganisms for fermentation of plant-based raw materials is generating great interest in the food industry. This study examines the effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, LGG® (LGG® is a trademark of Chr. Hansen A/S) on the physicochemical properties of fermented soy, oat, and coconut. LGG® was combined with different lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains and Bifidobacterium, BB-12® (BB-12® is a trademark of Chr. Hansen A/S). Acidification, titratable acidity, and growth of LGG® and BB-12® were evaluated. Oscillation and flow tests were performed to analyze the rheological properties of fermented samples. Acids, carbohydrates, and volatile organic compounds in fermented samples were identified, and a sensory evaluation with a trained panel was conducted. LGG® reduced fermentation time in all three bases. LGG® and BB-12® grew in all fermented raw materials above 107 CFU/g. LGG® had no significant effect on rheological behavior of the samples. Acetoin levels increased and acetaldehyde content decreased in the presence of LGG® in all three bases. Diacetyl levels increased in fermented oat and coconut samples when LGG® was combined with YOFLEX® YF-L01 and NU-TRISH® BY-01 (YOFLEX® and NU-TRISH® are trademarks of Chr. Hansen A/S). In all fermented oat samples, LGG® significantly enhanced fermented flavor notes, such as sourness, lemon, and fruity taste, which in turn led to reduced perception of the attributes related to the base. In fermented coconut samples, gel firmness perception was significantly improved in the presence of LGG®. These findings suggest supplementation of LAB cultures with LGG® to improve fermentation time and sensory perception of fermented plant-based products.

Amaranth Meal and Environmental Carnobacterium maltaromaticum Probiotic Bacteria as Novel Stabilizers of the Microbiological Quality of Compound Fish Feeds for Aquaculture

Fish feed should be characterized by microbiological stability to guarantee the optimal health of farmed fish. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of amaranth meal (Amaranthus cruentus) and a highly active environmental strain of probiotic bacteria, Carnobacterium maltaromaticum, as novel supplements that stabilize the quantitative and qualitative composition of microbiota in compound fish feeds for aquaculture, regardless of storage temperature. The total viable counts of mesophilic bacteria at 28 °C (TVC 28 °C), hemolytic mesophilic bacteria (Hem 37 °C), Staphylococcus sp. bacteria, aerobic spore-forming bacteria (ASFB), sulfite-reducing anaerobic spore-forming Clostridium sp. bacteria, yeasts, and molds were analyzed in control feed (CF), in feed supplemented with amaranth meal (AF), and in feed supplemented with amaranth meal and C. maltaromaticum (ACF), stored at a temperature of 4 °C and 20 °C for 98 days. Amaranthus cruentus and C. maltaromaticum significantly reduced bacterial counts in fish feeds, regardless of the temperature and duration of storage. The antibacterial and antifungal effects of the tested additives were statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05). The studied novel supplements contribute to the microbiological safety of compound fish feeds. The tested additives could be recognized as the key ingredients of organic, environmentally friendly fish feeds, which guarantee the high quality of fish intended for human consumption.