Search

Fava bean ( Vicia faba L.) is a protein-rich pulse with high nutritional value, but its functional and sensory characteristics limit its application in foods. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) can modify the composition of plant proteins, modulate its functionality, and enhance the sensory aspects. In this study, fava bean flour (FB) was fermented with Aspergillus oryzae and Rhizopus oligosporus to produce FBA and FBR, respectively, ingredients with distinct nutritional, functional, and aroma characteristics. The protein content increased by 20% in FBA and 8% in FBR, while fat levels rose more significantly in FBR (+40%). The overall content of fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) decreased by 47% (FBA) and 57% (FBR), although polyol production by A. oryzae was observed. SSF improved the nutritional profile of FBA and FBR, with a notable increase in the concentration of essential amino acids observed, and a reduction in most antinutrients, with the exception of trypsin inhibitors. SSF resulted in the formation of aggregates, which increased the particle size and reduced protein solubility. Emulsions prepared with the fermented ingredients separated faster, and the foaming capacity of both FBA and FBR was decreased, but an increase in water-holding capacity was observed. SSF resulted in the production of predominantly savoury-associated aroma compounds, with compounds characteristic of metallic and mouldy aromas reduced. These results indicate the potential of SSF to transform FB with enhanced nutritional value and improved sensory and functional properties.

Dietary fibre (DF) is important for overall health and disease prevention. However, the intake of DF in Westernised countries is below the recommended level, largely due to the excessive consumption of low-fibre foods. Fortifying staple foods, such as bread, with dietary fibre ingredients is one approach to closing the fibre gap in our diet. However, incorporating purified and chemically modified fibre ingredients into food is challenging. This study unveils interactions between soluble-fermentable (arabinoxylan), insoluble-fermentable (resistant starch type IV) and insoluble-unfermentable (cellulose) fibre ingredients and their impact on bread quality using Response Surface Methodology. This resulted in an optimised mixture of these fibre ingredients that can coexist within a bread matrix while maintaining quality characteristics comparable to white wheat bread. The partial replacement of flour with fibre ingredients led to an interference with the gluten network causing a reduction in gluten strength by 12.4% and prolonged gluten network development time by 24.4% compared to the control (no fibre addition). However, the CO 2 retention coefficient during dough fermentation was not affected by fibre ingredient inclusion. The fibre content of the white bread was increased by 128%, with only a marginal negative impact on bread quality. Additionally, the fibre-fortified bread showed a lower release of reducing sugars during in vitro starch digestion. This study illustrates the synergy of different types of fibre ingredients in a bread system to advance in closing the fibre gap.

Using sourdough in breadmaking can enhance bread's shelf-life and flavor compared to exclusive baker's yeast use and is believed to increase its nutritional quality and healthiness. Previous research established insight into the microbial ecology of sourdough, but the link between leavening agent use, processing, and bread quality remains elusive. However, such knowledge is key for standardization, research on the health benefits, and the definition of sourdough bread. In this systematic scoping review, we analyzed 253 studies and identified large variations in the type and amount of leavening agent, fermentation conditions, and bread quality (specific loaf volume and acidification). The interrelation between these elements and their effect on the extent of fermentation is discussed, together with issues preventing proper comparison of breadmaking procedures. With this review, we want to contribute to the dialogue concerning the definition of sourdough-type bread products and the research into the health benefits attributed to them.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition affecting the digestive system and can be triggered by several different factors, including diet. To ease symptoms of IBS, a diet low in fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) is often recommended. Pasta, as a staple food in the Western World, is naturally high in FODMAPs. This study investigates the impact of insoluble and soluble dietary fibre ingredients in low-FODMAPs pasta. The assessment included physicochemical, sensory, and nutritional quality. Soluble fibre strengthened gluten network, which caused a lower cooking loss and a lower release of sugars during in vitro starch digestion. Insoluble fibre interfered with the gluten network development to a higher extent causing a higher sugar release during digestion. This study reveals the most suitable fibre ingredients for the development of pasta with elevated nutritional value and sensory characteristics compared to commercial products on the market. This type of pasta has a high potential of being suitable for IBS patients.

Replacing eggs without influencing pound cakes' texture, appearance, and taste is challenging. Ovalbumin, the major protein in egg white, contributes to the structures of cakes by providing SH Groups that form a firm gel during baking. However, there is a shift in the consumers' behaviour regarding health, well-being, animal welfare standards, and environmental concerns. To meet upcoming trends and consumer needs, 102 egg replacement products were launched globally to the best of the authors' knowledge, with 20 of them advertised as suitable for baking applications. Ten locally available commercial egg replacers with a range of protein contents were chosen and applied in a pound cake model system to evaluate their functionality by evaluating cake and cake batter quality. Three different categories of egg replacements were chosen: replacers containing no protein (R1-R3), a low amount of protein (1-10 g/100 g; R4-R5), and a high amount of protein (>10 g/100 g; R6-R10). Those were compared to three control cakes containing powdered whole egg, fresh egg, and liquid whole egg. All the analysed egg replacers significantly differed from the control cakes, including low-protein egg replacement R4. Despite R4 achieving the highest specific volume (1.63 ± 0.07 mL/g) and comparable texture values, none of the examined egg replacers compared favourably with the egg control cakes regarding appearance, physical and textural properties, and nutritional value.

In response to global challenges such as climate change and food insecurity, plant proteins have gained interest. Among these, lentils have emerged as a promising source of proteins due to their good nutritional profile and sustainability considerations. However, their widespread use in food products has been impeded by limited solubility. This study aimed to investigate the potential of high-shear mixing, a resource-efficient technique, to enhance lentil protein solubility and its functional properties. Red lentil protein isolate powders were rehydrated and subjected to a semi-continuous in-line high-shear treatment at 10,200 rpm for a timespan ranging from 0 to 15 min. The results highlighted a significant ( p < 0.05) increase in solubility from 46.87 to 68.42% after 15 min of shearing and a reduction in particle size as a result of the intense shearing and disruption provided by the rotor and forced passage through the perforations of the stator. The volume-weighted mean diameter decreased from 5.13 to 1.72 µm after 15 min of shearing, also highlighted by the confocal micrographs which confirmed the breakdown of larger particles into smaller and more uniform particles. Rheological analysis indicated consistent Newtonian behaviour across all dispersions, with apparent viscosities ranging from 1.69 to 1.78 mPa.s. Surface hydrophobicity increased significantly ( p < 0.05), from 830 to 1245, indicating exposure of otherwise buried hydrophobic groups. Furthermore, colloidal stability of the dispersion was improved, with separation rates decreasing from 71.23 to 24.16%·h -1 . The significant enhancements in solubility, particle size reduction, and colloidal stability, highlight the potential of in-line high-shear mixing in improving the functional properties of lentil protein isolates for formulating sustainable food products with enhanced techno-functional properties.

In the current trend where plant-based foods are preferred over animal-based foods, pulses represent an alternative source of protein but also of bioactive peptides (BPs). We investigated the pattern of protein hydrolysis during fermentation of red lentils protein isolate (RLPI) with various lactic acid bacteria and yeast strains. Hanseniaspora uvarum SY1 and Fructilactobacillus sanfranciscensis E10 were the most proteolytic microorganisms. H. uvarum SY1 led to the highest antiradical, angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitory and antifungal activities, as found in low molecular weight water soluble extracts (LMW-WSE). The 2039 peptide sequences identified by LMW-WSE were screened using BIOPEP UWM database, and 36 sequences matched with known BPs. Fermentation of RLPI by lactic acid bacteria and yeasts generated 12 peptides undetected in raw RLPI. Besides, H. uvarum SY1 led to the highest abundance (peak areas) of BPs, in particular with antioxidant and ACE-inhibitory activities. The amino acid sequences LVR and LVL, identified in the fermented RLPI, represent novel findings, as they were detected for the first time in substrates subjected to microbial fermentation. KVI, another BP highly characteristic of RLPI-SY1, was previously observed only in dried bonito. 44 novel potential BPs, worthy of further characterization, were correlated with antifungal activity., (© 2024 The Authors. Microbial Biotechnology published by Applied Microbiology International and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) are carbohydrates which can cause symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Cereal-based products are high in FODMAPs, as they are part of the carbohydrate fraction in flour. Low-FODMAP products are starch-based which leads to a low dietary fibre content. Hence, the fortification with dietary fibre ingredients low in FODMAPs is essential. This study reveals the impact of three different fibre ingredients, resistant starch, cellulose, and arabinoxylan, and their interactions with each other in a low-FODMAP biscuit model system using response surface methodology. All fibre ingredients have an affinity to water which was further increased by their coexistence in the model system. Fibersym RW affected the biscuit hardness by its morphology and potential to recrystallise leading to a maximum inclusion level of 40%. VITACEL L 600-30 also increased biscuit hardness due to its plasticising character leading to a maximum inclusion of 20%. AgriFiber BFG mainly impacted the colour of the product restricting its inclusion to 2.3%. Additionally, it reduced the degree of starch digestibility of the biscuit by the formation of a film imbedding the starch granules and reducing enzyme attack. This research provides an in-depth insight into the integration potential of these fibre ingredients into a low-FODMAP biscuit, their interactions within the system and inclusion levels which allow their coexistence.

The process of upcycling and incorporating food by-products into food systems as functional ingredients has become a central focus of research. Barley rootlets (BR) are a by-product of the malting and brewing industries that can be valorised using lactic acid bacteria fermentation. This research investigates the effects of the inclusion of unfermented (BR-UnF), heat-sterilised (BR-Ster), and five fermented BR ingredients (using Weissella cibaria MG1 (BR-MG1), Leuconostoc citreum TR116 (BR-TR116), Lactiplantibacillus plantarum FST1.7 (BR-FST1.7), Lactobacillus amylovorus FST2.11 (BR-FST2.11), and Limosilactobacillus reuteri R29 (BR-R29) in bread. The antifungal compounds in BR ingredients and the impact of BR on dough rheology, gluten development, and dough mixing properties were analysed. Additionally, their effects on the techno-functional characteristics, in vitro starch digestibility, and sensory quality of bread were determined. BR-UnF showed dough viscoelastic properties and bread quality comparable to the baker's flour (BF). BR-MG1 inclusion ameliorated bread specific volume and reduced crumb hardness. Breads containing BR-TR116 had comparable bread quality to BF, while the inclusion of BR-R29 substantially slowed microbial spoilage. Formulations containing BR-FST2.11 and BR-FST1.7 significantly reduced the amounts of sugar released from breads during a simulated digestion and resulted in a sourdough-like flavour profile. This study highlights how BR fermentation can be tailored to achieve desired bread characteristics.

Faba beans ( Vicia faba L.) show exciting prospects as a sustainable source of protein and fibre, with the potential to transition to a more sustainable food production. This study reveals the compositional, nutritional and techno-functional characteristics of two protein isolates from faba beans ( Vicia faba L.), a high-starch fraction and a high-fibre side-stream. During the analysis of those four ingredients, particular attention was paid to the isolates' protein profile and the side-streams' carbohydrate composition. The isoelectric precipitated protein isolate 1 showed a protein content of 72.64 ± 0.31% DM. It exhibited low solubility but superior digestibility and high foam stability. High foaming capacity and low protein digestibility were observed for protein isolate 2, with a protein content of 71.37 ± 0.93% DM. This fraction was highly soluble and consisted primarily of low molecular weight proteins. The high-starch fraction contained 83.87 ± 3.07% DM starch, of which about 66% was resistant starch. Over 65% of the high-fibre fraction was insoluble dietary fibre. The findings of this study provide a detailed understanding of different production fractions of faba beans, which is of great value for future product development., Competing Interests: Author Jens Christian S&oslash;rensen was employed by the company SiccaDania A/S. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Plant protein sources, as a part of developing sustainable food systems, are currently of interest globally. Brewer's spent grain (BSG) is the most plentiful by-product of the brewing industry, representing ~85% of the total side streams produced. Although nutritionally dense, there are very few methods of upcycling these materials. High in protein, BSG can serve as an ideal raw material for protein isolate production. This study details the nutritional and functional characteristics of BSG protein isolate, EverPro, and compares these with the technological performance of the current gold standard plant protein isolates, pea and soy. The compositional characteristics are determined, including amino acid analysis, protein solubility, and protein profile among others. Related physical properties are determined, including foaming characteristics, emulsifying properties, zeta potential, surface hydrophobicity, and rheological properties. Regarding nutrition, EverPro meets or exceeds the requirement of each essential amino acid per g protein, with the exception of lysine, while pea and soy are deficient in methionine and cysteine. EverPro has a similar protein content to the pea and soy isolates, but far exceeds them in terms of protein solubility, with a protein solubility of ~100% compared to 22% and 52% for pea and soy isolates, respectively. This increased solubility, in turn, affects other functional properties; EverPro displays the highest foaming capacity and exhibits low sedimentation activity, while also possessing minimal gelation properties and low emulsion stabilising activity when compared to pea and soy isolates. This study outlines the functional and nutritional properties of EverPro, a brewer's spent grain protein, in comparison to commercial plant protein isolates, indicating the potential for the inclusion of new, sustainable plant-based protein sources in human nutrition, in particular dairy alternative applications.

During the last few years, consumer demand has been increasingly oriented to fermented foods with functional properties. This work proposed to use selected non-conventional yeasts (NCY) Lachancea thermotolerans and Kazachstania unispora in pure and mixed fermentation to produce craft beer fortified with hydrolyzed red lentils (HRL). For this, fermentation trials using pils wort (PW) and pils wort added with HRL (PWL) were carried out. HRL in pils wort improved the fermentation kinetics both in mixed and pure fermentations without negatively affecting the main analytical characters. The addition of HRL determined a generalized increase in amino acids concentration in PW. L. thermotolerans and K. unispora affected the amino acid profile of beers (with and without adding HRL). The analysis of by-products and volatile compounds in PW trials revealed a significant increase of some higher alcohols with L. thermotolerans and ethyl butyrate with K. unispora. In PWL, the two NCY showed a different behavior: an increment of ethyl acetate ( K. unispora ) and β-phenyl ethanol ( L. thermotolerans ). Sensory analysis showed that the presence of HRL characterized all beers, increasing the perception of the fruity aroma in both pure and mixed fermentation.

Several global health risks are related to our dietary lifestyle. As a consequence of the overconsumption of ultra-processed and highly digestible protein (150-200% of the recommended value), excess dietary proteins reach the colon, are hydrolysed to peptides and amino acids by bacterial proteases and fermented to various potentially toxic end products. A diet reformulation strategy with reduced protein content in food products appears to be the most effective approach. A potential approach to this challenge is to reduce food digestibility by introducing resistant protein into the diet that could positively influence human health and gut microbiome functionality. Resistant protein is a dietary constituent not hydrolysed by digestive enzymes or absorbed in the human small intestine. The chemical conformation and the amino acid composition strictly influence its structural stability and resistance to in vivo proteolysis and denaturation. Responding to the important gap in our knowledge regarding the digestibility performance of alternative proteins, we hypothesise that resistant proteins can beneficially alter food functionality via their role in improving metabolic properties and health benefits in human nutrition, similar to fibres and resistant starches. A multidisciplinary investigation of resistant protein will generate tremendous scientific impact for other interlinked societal, economic, technological and health and wellbeing aspects of human life.

Background: Plant-based milk alternatives are becoming more popular. However, many are low in nutrients, particularly protein. More attention is being given to plant protein isolates / concentrates as potential ingredients in high-protein milk alternative formulations., Results: The effect of lupin protein source on the physicochemical, functional, and nutritional characteristics of model milk alternatives was investigated. Milk alternatives were produced with either blue lupin or white lupin protein isolate, formulated to contain similar levels of protein and fat as low-fat cow's milk. Nutritional composition and predicted glycemic properties were measured. The effect of homogenization pressure on the physicochemical properties and storage stability was also assessed, with cow's milk and soy milk alternative analyzed for comparison. Both blue and white lupin milk alternatives were high in protein, low in fermentable oligo-, di- and monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs), and had a low predicted glycemic index. White lupin milk alternatives had smaller particle size as well as greater stability, with less creaming compared to blue lupin milk alternatives, although the former showed slightly higher sediment layers. Increasing homogenization pressure from 180 to 780 bar resulted in smaller particle size, lower separation rate, and greater foamability for both blue and white lupin milk alternatives. White lupin milk alternative homogenized at 780 bar was found to be the most stable product, with a similar separation rate to cow's milk., Conclusions: These results indicate that protein source and processing can influence functional properties significantly along with product stability, and this is an important consideration when formulating high-protein milk alternatives. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.)

Background: The fortification of wheat-based staple foods, such as pasta, with pseudocereal and legume flours has received growing research interest in recent years. While it is associated with many challenges regarding technological and sensory quality of the products, it promises a substantial improvement of the nutritional value of pasta. However, investigations of the nutritional quality of fortified pasta often focus on the carbohydrate/starch fraction, and information on changes in protein quality is relatively scarce. This study evaluates the nutritional profile of a high-protein hybrid pasta (HPHP) formulation in which a combination of three high-protein ingredients (HPIs) from buckwheat, faba bean and lupin is used to partially replace wheat semolina. The formulation's macronutrient composition, protein quality and the content of antinutritional compounds are assessed in comparison to regular wheat pasta., Results: The HPHP formulation represents a more favourable macronutrient profile compared to regular wheat pasta, particularly in relation to the isocaloric replacement of wheat starch by non-wheat protein. Furthermore, a more balanced amino acid profile, improved N utilisation and increased protein efficiency ratio (in vivo) were determined for HPHP, which conclusively suggests a substantially enhanced protein quality. The cooking process was shown to significantly reduce levels of vicine/convicine and trypsin inhibitor activity originating from HPIs. The small remaining levels seem not to adversely affect HPHP's nutritional quality., Conclusion: This significant upgrade of pasta's nutritional value identifies HPHP, and similar hybrid formulations, as a healthy food choice and valuable alternative to regular wheat pasta, specifically for a protein supply of adequate quality in mostly plant-based diets. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Background: The increasing importance of plant-based proteins in the food sector makes a reliable compositional analysis of plant-based high-protein ingredients a necessity. Specifically, the quantification of short-chain carbohydrates is relevant for multiple areas, including food product development, food labelling and fundamental food chemistry and food technology research. Commonly used extraction procedures for subsequent high-performance liquid chromatographic separation and quantification of short-chain carbohydrates have been discussed controversially regarding a range of complications that can potentially lead to inaccurate sugar determination. The present study compares the sugar levels in wheat flour and wholemeal wheat flour determined with different aqueous and ethanolic extraction procedures. These procedures included measures to prevent enzyme activity and microbial growth, which represent two of the most relevant challenges in sugar extraction from food samples., Results: Differences in sugar levels (sum of sucrose/maltose, glucose and fructose) as high as 1.8% dry matter (wheat flour) were observed between the employed extraction procedures. Ethanolic extraction (80% ethanol in ultrapure water) with the use of the antimicrobial agent sodium azide but without Carrez clarification was identified as most promising for sugar determination in plant-based high-protein ingredients., Conclusion: A screening of high-protein ingredients derived from cereals (wheat gluten), pseudocereals (quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat) and legumes (soy, pea, lupin, lentil, carob, chickpea, faba bean) concerning their levels of sucrose, maltose, glucose and fructose confirmed the applicability of the chosen extraction procedure. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Background: The amino acid composition, and rheological, thermal and colloidal stability of plant protein-based oil-in-water emulsion systems containing 1.90, 3.50 and 7.70 g 100 mL -1 protein, fat and carbohydrate, respectively, using quinoa and lentil protein ratios of 100:0 and 60:40 were investigated. The emulsion containing lentil protein showed lower initial, peak and final viscosity values (22.7, 61.7 and 61.6 mPa s, respectively) than the emulsion formulated with quinoa protein alone (34.3, 102 and 80.0 mPa s, respectively) on heat treatment., Results: Particle size analysis showed that both samples had small particle sizes (~1.36 μm) after homogenization; however, the sample with 60:40 quinoa:lentil protein ratio showed greater physical stability, likely related to the superior emulsifying properties of lentil protein. However, upon heat treatment, large aggregates (~100 μm) were formed in both samples, reducing the physical stability of the samples. This physical stability was increased with the addition of 0.20% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), whereas it was negatively affected by the addition of α-amylase. Addition of α-amylase led to lower viscosity for both emulsion samples, with measured values of 41.8 and 46.0 mPa s for the 100:0 and 60:40 samples, respectively. This suggests that the heat-induced increases in particle size were partially due to hydrophobic interactions between the proteins as SDS disrupts hydrophobic bonds between proteins., Conclusion: These results demonstrated that using a mixture of lentil and quinoa proteins positively affected the physical stability of plant protein-based emulsions, in addition to contributing to a more nutritionally complete amino acid profile - both important considerations in the development of plant-based beverages. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.)

Background: In the European Union proteins for food are largely animal based, consisting of meat and dairy products. Almost all soy but also a larger part of pulses and cereals consumed in the European Union are used for animal nutrition. While livestock is an important source of proteins, it also creates substantial environmental impacts. The food and feed system is closely linked to the planetary and health boundaries and a transformation to healthy diets will require substantial dietary shifts towards healthy foods, such as nuts, fruits, vegetables and legumes., Results: Extrudated vegetable meat alternatives consisting of protein combined with amaranth or buckwheat flour and a vegetable milk alternative made from lentil proteins were shown to have the potential to generate significantly less environmental impact than their animal-based counterparts in most of the environmental indicators examined, taking into account both functional units (mass and protein content). The underlying field-to-fork life cycle assessment models include several variants for both plant and animal foods. The optimized plant-based foods show a clear potential for improvement in the environmental footprints., Conclusions: Development of higher processed and therefore higher performing products is crucial for appealing to potential user groups beyond dedicated vegetarians and vegans and ultimately achieving market expansion. The Protein2Food project showed that prototypes made from European-grown legumes and pseudocereals are a valuable source for high-quality protein foods, and despite being substantially processed they could help reduce the environmental impact of food consumption. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Background: The fortification of cereal foods, like pasta, with pseudocereal and legume ingredients promises a substantial improvement of their nutritional quality. However, partial replacement of wheat by pseudocereals and legumes in pasta formulations bears challenges regarding the products' technological and sensory quality. This study investigates the partial replacement of wheat semolina by a combination of high-protein ingredients (HPIs) from buckwheat, faba bean and lupin to reach a protein level of 20% of calories provided by protein. This high-protein hybrid pasta (HPHP) formulation was subjected to a thorough evaluation of technological quality characteristics and compared to regular wheat pasta and pasta formulations containing the single HPIs. Additionally, descriptive sensory profiling was performed to compare organoleptic properties of HPHP with regular wheat pasta., Results: The quality of pasta formulations containing single HPIs was significantly reduced with regard to at least one of the determined quality characteristics. For the HPHP formulation containing all three HPIs, the technological quality was found to be equal to regular wheat pasta. No significant differences were detected for the most indicative quality characteristics cooking loss, firmness and stickiness. This was attributed primarily to compensating effects of the HPIs with respect to different quality characteristics. Sensory analysis revealed only slightly inferior overall quality of HPHP in comparison to regular wheat pasta, especially promoted by similar textural properties., Conclusion: The combination of selected HPIs offers the opportunity to produce high-protein hybrid pasta with technological and sensory quality similar to regular wheat pasta at a level of wheat semolina replacement of 25%. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Background: Infant formula is a human milk substitute for consumption during the first months of life. The protein component of such products is generally of dairy origin. Alternative sources of protein, such as those of plant origin, are of interest due to dairy allergies, intolerances, and ethical and environmental considerations. Lentils have high levels of protein (20-30%) with a good amino acid profile and functional properties. In this study, a model lentil protein-based formula (LF), in powder format, was produced and compared to two commercial plant-based infant formulae (i.e., soy; SF and rice; RF) in terms of physicochemical properties and digestibility., Results: The macronutrient composition was similar between all the samples; however, RF and SF had larger volume-weighted mean particle diameters (D[4,3] of 121-134 μm) than LF (31.9 μm), which was confirmed using scanning electron and confocal laser microscopy. The larger particle sizes of the commercial powders were attributed to their agglomeration during the drying process. Regarding functional properties, the LF showed higher D[4,3] values (17.8 μm) after 18 h reconstitution in water, compared with the SF and RF (5.82 and 4.55 μm, respectively), which could be partially attributed to hydrophobic protein-protein interactions. Regarding viscosity at 95 °C and physical stability, LF was more stable than RF. The digestibility analysis showed LF to have similar values (P < 0.05) to the standard SF., Conclusion: These results demonstrated that, from the nutritional and physicochemical perspectives, lentil proteins represent a good alternative to other sources of plant proteins (e.g., soy and rice) in infant nutritional products. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.)

A milk-alternative produced from lentil protein isolate was fermented with three multifunctional strains of lactic acid bacteria, Leuconostoc citreum TR116, Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides MP070, and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei FST 6.1. As a control, a commercial starter culture containing Streptococcus thermophilus was used. The metabolic performance of these strains and the techno-functional properties of the resulting yogurt alternatives (YA) were studied. Microbial growth was evaluated by cell counts, acidification, and carbohydrate metabolization. The structure of the YA was investigated by textural and rheological analyses and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Production of antifungal compounds, the influence of fermentation on the content of FODMAPs, and typical metabolites were analyzed, and a sensory analysis was performed. The results revealed an exponential microbial growth in the lentil base substrate supported by typical acidification, which indicates a suitable environment for the selected strains. The resulting YA showed a gel-like texture typical for non-stirred yogurts, and high water holding capacity. The tested strains produced much higher levels of antifungal phenolic compounds than the commercial control and are therefore promising candidates as adjunct cultures for shelf-life extension. The Leuconostoc strains produced mannitol from fructose and could thus be applied in sugar-reduced YA. Preliminary sensory analysis showed high acceptance for YA produced with Lacticaseibacillus paracasei FST 6.1, and a yogurt-like flavor not statistically different to that produced by the control. Overall, each tested strain possessed promising functionalities with great potential for application in fermented plant-based dairy-alternatives.

Dietary fiber intakes in Western societies are concerningly low and do not reflect global recommended dietary fiber intakes for chronic disease prevention. Resistant starch (RS) is a fermentable dietary fiber that has attracted research interest. As an isolated ingredient, its fine particle size, relatively bland flavor, and white appearance may offer an appealing fiber source to the Western palate, accustomed to highly refined, processed grains. This review aims to provide a comprehensive insight into the current knowledge (classification, production methods, and characterization methods), health benefits, applications, and acceptability of RS. It further discusses the present market for commercially available RS ingredients and products containing ingredients high in RS. The literature currently highlights beneficial effects for dietary RS supplementation with respect to glucose metabolism, satiety, blood lipid profiles, and colonic health. An exploration of the market for commercial RS ingredients indicates a diverse range of products (from isolated RS2, RS3, and RS4) with numerous potential applications as partial or whole substitutes for traditional flour sources. They may increase the nutritional profile of a food product (e.g., by increasing the fiber content and lowering energy values) without significantly compromising its sensory and functional properties. Incorporating RS ingredients into staple food products (such as bread, pasta, and sweet baked goods) may thus offer an array of nutritional benefits to the consumer and a highly accessible functional ingredient to be greater exploited by the food industry., (© 2022 The Authors. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Institute of Food Technologists.)

Pulse proteins are being increasingly investigated as nutritious and functional ingredients which could provide alternatives to animal proteins; however, pulse protein ingredients do not always meet the functionality requirements necessary for various applications. Consequently, enzymatic hydrolysis can be employed as a means of improving functional properties such as solubility, emulsifying, foaming, and gelling properties. This review aims to examine the current literature regarding modification of these properties with enzymatic hydrolysis. The effects of enzymatic hydrolysis on the functionality of pulse proteins generally varies considerably based on the enzyme, substrate, processing steps such as heat treatment, degree of hydrolysis, and pH. Differences in protease specificity as well as protein structure allow for a wide variety of peptide mixtures to be generated, with varying hydrophobic and electrostatic properties. Typically, the most significant improvements are seen when the original protein ingredient has poor initial functionality. Solubility is usually improved in the mildly acidic range, which may also correspond with improved foaming and emulsifying properties. More work should be carried out on the potential of enzymatic hydrolysis to modify gelation properties of pulse proteins, as the literature is currently lacking. Overall, careful selection of proteases and control of hydrolysis will be necessary to maximize the potential of enzymatic hydrolysis as a tool to improve pulse protein functionality and broaden the range of potential applications.

The health benefits of fibre consumption are sound, but a more compressive understanding of the individual effects of different fibres is still needed. Arabinoxylan is a complex fibre that provides a wide range of health benefits strongly regulated by its chemical structure. Arabinoxylans can be found in various grains, such as wheat, barley, or corn. This review addresses the influence of the source of origin and extraction process on arabinoxylan structure. The health benefits related to short-chain fatty acid production, microbiota regulation, antioxidant capacity, and blood glucose response control are discussed and correlated to the arabinoxylan's structure. However, most studies do not investigate the effect of AX as a pure ingredient on food systems, but as fibres containing AXs (such as bran). Therefore, AX's benefit for human health deserves further investigation. The relationship between arabinoxylan structure and its physicochemical influence on cereal products (pasta, cookies, cakes, bread, and beer) is also discussed. A strong correlation between arabinoxylan's structural properties (degree of branching, solubility, and molecular mass) and its functionalities in food systems can be observed. There is a need for further studies that address the health implications behind the consumption of arabinoxylan-rich products. Indeed, the food matrix may influence the effects of arabinoxylans in the gastrointestinal tract and determine which specific arabinoxylans can be included in cereal and non-cereal-based food products without being detrimental for product quality.

A diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) is a promising therapeutic approach to reduce gastrointestinal symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, a shift toward a more sustainable, healthy diet with higher inclusion of whole-grain cereals (i.e., wheat, rye, barley) and pulses, naturally rich in FODMAPs, poses a severe challenge for susceptible individuals. Dietary restriction of fermentable carbohydrates (commonly called the "low FODMAP diet") has received significant consideration. Hence, the development of functional low FODMAP products is emerging in food science and the food industry. In this review, we evaluate the most promising yet neglected (bio)-technological strategies adopted for modulating the FODMAP contents in complex food systems and the extent of their uptake in the global food market. We extensively investigated the global low FODMAP market, contrasted with the status quo in food science and discussed the key principles and concomitant challenges of targeted FODMAP reduction strategies. Powerful tools are available which are based either on the use of ingredients where FODMAPs have been physically removed (e.g., by membrane filtration) or biotechnologically reduced during the food processing, mediated by added enzymes, microbial enzymes during a fermentation process, and seed endogenous enzymes. However, <10% of the small market of functional products with a low FODMAP claim (total ∼800 products) used any of the targeted FODMAP reduction techniques. The global market is currently dominated by gluten-free products, which are naturally low in FODMAPs and characterized by inferior sensory attributes., (© 2022 The Authors. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Institute of Food Technologists.)

A diet low in fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) is a successful therapeutic approach to alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. However, wheat, as a fructan accumulating grain, is a major source of FODMAPs. Baker's yeast degrades fructans during fermentation, yet conventional whole wheat bread is often still high in FODMAPs. In this study, 96 yeast isolates from different environments were screened regarding their capability to metabolise FODMAPs. Two promising isolates were identified: Lachancea fermentati FST 5.1 and Cyberlindnera fabianii NTCyb, and their potential to produce low FODMAP whole wheat bread was compared to baker's yeast ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae ). A comprehensive characterisation of the carbohydrate metabolism by the different yeasts was achieved via HPAEC-PAD analysis of flour, doughs, and breads. L. fermentati FST 5.1 fermented fructans and excess fructose much more efficiently than baker's yeast and resulted in bread low in FODMAPs (below all cutoff levels known to induce symptoms). In contrast, C. fabianii NTCyb was unable to ferment FODMAPs in the wheat-dough-matrix. Furthermore, the yeasts' impact on the GC/MS-TOF profile of volatile aroma compounds, the sensory profile, the breads' ultrastructure, and the technological quality was examined. While C. fabianii NTCyb bread had poor technological and sensory attributes, the quality characteristics (volume, crumb structure, texture, sensory, aroma) of L. fermentati FST 5.1 bread were comparable to the baker's yeast bread. Ultimately, this study identified Lachancea fermentati FST 5.1 as an alternative to baker's yeast to produce low FODMAP whole wheat bread while maintaining optimal bread quality and consumer acceptance.

The substitution of animal protein with proteins of plant origin is a viable way to decrease the negative impact caused by animal husbandry on the environment. Pulse consumption has been widely promoted as a nutritious contribution to protein supplementation. In this study, an emulsion of lentil ( Lens culinaris ) protein isolate is fermented with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to manufacture a yoghurt alternative and the techno-functional properties compared to a dairy- and a soy-based product with similar protein contents. The yoghurt-like products are subjected to large and small deformation analysis, quantification of fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP), water holding capacity tests, protein profile analysis and the gel structure is visualised by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The lentil yoghurt alternative shows good water holding capacity, high firmness and consistency values in large deformation analysis, with cohesiveness and viscosity not significantly different from that of dairy yoghurt. The high gel strength and rigidity of the lentil yoghurt gels measured by small deformation analysis is well-reflected in the dense protein matrix in the CLSM graphs. FODMAP content of the lentil yoghurt is very low, making it suitable for consumption by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. Our results show that lentil protein isolate is an excellent base material for producing a plant-based yoghurt alternative.

Recycling of by-products from the food industry has become a central part of research to help create a more sustainable future. Brewers' spent grain is one of the main side-streams of the brewing industry, rich in protein and fibre. Its inclusion in bread, however, has been challenging and requires additional processing. Fermentation represents a promising tool to elevate ingredient functionality and improve bread quality. Wheat bread was fortified with spray-dried brewers' spent grain (BSG) and fermented brewers' spent grain (FBSG) at two addition levels to achieve "source of fibre" and "high in fibre" claims according to EU regulations. The impact of BSG and FBSG on bread dough, final bread quality and nutritional value was investigated and compared to baker's flour (BF) and wholemeal flour (WMF) breads. The inclusion of BSG and FBSG resulted in a stronger and faster gluten development; reduced starch pasting capacity; and increased dough resistance/stiffness. However, fermentation improved bread characteristics resulting in increased specific volume, reduced crumb hardness and restricted microbial growth rate over time. Additionally, the inclusion of FBSG slowed the release in reducing sugars over time during in vitro starch digestion. Thus, fermentation of BSG can ameliorate bread techno-functional properties and improve nutritional quality of breads.

Plant-based yogurt alternatives are increasing in market value, while dairy yogurt sales are stagnating or even declining. The plant-based yogurt alternatives market is currently dominated by products based on coconut or soy. Coconut-based products especially are often low in protein and high in saturated fat, while soy products raise consumer concerns regarding genetically modified soybeans, and soy allergies are common. Pulses are ideally suited as a base for plant-based yogurt alternatives due to their high protein content and beneficial amino acid composition. This review provides an overview of pulse nutrients, pro-nutritional and anti-nutritional compounds, how their composition can be altered by fermentation, and the chemistry behind pulse protein coagulation by acid or salt denaturation. An extensive market review on plant-based yogurt alternatives provides an overview of the current worldwide market situation. It shows that pulses are ideal base ingredients for yogurt alternatives due to their high protein content, amino acid composition, and gelling behavior when fermented with lactic acid bacteria. Additionally, fermentation can be used to reduce anti-nutrients such as α-galactosides and vicine or trypsin inhibitors, further increasing the nutritional value of pulse-based yogurt alternatives., (© 2021 The Authors. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Institute of Food Technologists.)

Barley is the most commonly used grain in the brewing industry for the production of beer-type beverages. This review will explore the extraction and application of proteins from barley, particularly those from brewers' spent grain, as well as describing the variety of proteins present. As brewers' spent grain is the most voluminous by-product of the brewing industry, the valorisation and utilisation of spent grain protein is of great interest in terms of sustainability, although at present, BSG is mainly sold cheaply for use in animal feed formulations. There is an ongoing global effort to minimise processing waste and increase up-cycling of processing side-streams. However, sustainability in the brewing industry is complex, with an innate need for a large volume of resources such as water and energy. In addition to this, large volumes of a by-product are produced at nearly every step of the process. The extraction and characterisation of proteins from BSG is of great interest due to the high protein quality and the potential for a wide variety of applications, including foods for human consumption such as bread, biscuits and snack-type products.

Whole grains and pulses are rich in nutrients but often avoided by individuals with gastrointestinal disorders, due to high levels of fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs). This study investigated the impact of malting as delivery-system for endogenous enzymes. Malts from barley and wheat (naturally high in fructans), lentils and chickpeas (high in galactooligosaccharides), oat and buckwheat (low in FODMAPs) were produced. While barley and wheat malts had slightly elevated fructan-levels, in oat malt 0.8 g/100 g DM fructans were de novo synthesized. In lentils and chickpeas galactooligosaccharides diminished by 80-90%. Buckwheat did not contain any FODMAPs commonly investigated, but fagopyritols which may have a similar physiological effect. Also fagopyritols were degraded. While malted pulses and buckwheat are directly suitable for low FODMAP applications, using the combined approach of malting and fermentation, malted cereals could contribute to high nutritional values of such products., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Lentil ( Lens culinaris ) is a high-protein crop with a promising potential as a plant-based protein source for human nutrition. This study investigated nutritional and anti-nutritional properties of whole seed lentil flour (LF) compared to lentil protein isolates (LPIs) prepared in pilot-scale by isoelectric precipitation (LPI-IEP) and ultrafiltration (LPI-UF). Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) profiles showed significant reductions in total galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) contents by 58% and 91% in LPI-IEP and LPI-UF, respectively, compared to LF. Trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) levels based on dry protein mass were lowered by 81% in LPI-IEP and 87% in LPI-UF relative to LF. Depending on the stage of digestion, the in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) of LPIs was improved by 35-53% compared to LF, with both products showing a similar long-term protein digestibility to that of bovine serum albumin (BSA). This work supports the use of purified LPI products as a novel source of high quality protein for food applications., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2021 The Authors.)

Grain legumes, such as faba beans, have been investigated as promising ingredients to enhance the nutritional value of wheat bread. However, a detrimental effect on technological bread quality was often reported. Furthermore, considerable amounts of antinutritional compounds present in faba beans are a subject of concern. Sourdough-like fermentation can positively affect baking performance and nutritional attributes of faba bean flours. The multifunctional lactic acid bacteria strain Leuconostoc citreum TR116 was employed to ferment two faba bean flours with different protein contents (dehulled flour (DF); high-protein flour (PR)). The strain's fermentation profile (growth, acidification, carbohydrate metabolism and antifungal phenolic acids) was monitored in both substrates. The fermentates were applied in regular wheat bread by replacing 15% of wheat flour. Water absorption, gluten aggregation behaviour, bread quality characteristics and in vitro starch digestibility were compared to formulations containing unfermented DF and PR and to a control wheat bread. Similar microbial growth, carbohydrate consumption as well as production of lactic and acetic acid were observed in both faba bean ingredients. A less pronounced pH drop as well as a slightly higher amount of antifungal phenolic acids were measured in the PR fermentate. Fermentation caused a striking improvement of the ingredients' baking performance. GlutoPeak measurements allowed for an association of this observation with an improved gluten aggregation. Given its higher potential to improve protein quality in cereal products, the PR fermentate seemed generally more promising as functional ingredient due to its positive impact on bread quality and only moderately increased starch digestibility in bread.

Plant proteins, and legume proteins in particular, have become the centre of attention moving towards a more sustainable and, therefore, more plant-based human diet. Especially hybrid products, containing wheat and legume proteins, promise a balanced amino acid composition and an upgraded nutritional value of both protein sources. This study investigates a high-protein hybrid bread (HPHB) formulation, where wheat flour was partially replaced by high-protein ingredients from faba bean, carob and gluten. In addition to a detailed characterisation of technological quality and sensory profile, also the formulation's nutritional value was examined in comparison to regular wheat bread. Therefore, macronutrient composition, antioxidant potential, amino acid profile and contents of antinutritional compounds were analysed. Furthermore, protein digestibility was determined in an in vitro model and in vivo. Dough analysis revealed significant differences of the HPHB formulation compared to regular wheat dough. However, results obtained for bread quality characteristics prove HPHB to be equal to regular wheat bread and sensory results and the determined sensory attributes suggest high consumer acceptance. Nutritional analyses of HPHB showed a more favourable macronutrient composition in comparison to regular wheat bread; as well as low contents of antinutritional compounds and high antioxidant potential linked to high levels of phenolics. Also an improved amino acid profile, increased nitrogen utilisation rate (by 69%) and higher protein efficiency ratio were determined, which are associated with enhanced protein quality. This suggests HPHB, and similar formulations of its kind, as a valuable and healthy food choice, which can contribute to adequate protein supply in predominantly plant-based diets.

Oil-in-water emulsion systems formulated with plant proteins are of increasing interest to food researchers and industry due to benefits associated with cost-effectiveness, sustainability and animal well-being. The aim of this study was to understand how the stability of complex model emulsions formulated using lentil proteins are influenced by calcium fortification (0 to 10 mM CaCl 2 ) and thermal processing (95 or 140 °C). A valve homogeniser, operating at first and second stage pressures of 15 and 3 MPa, was used to prepare emulsions. On heating at 140 °C, the heat coagulation time (pH 6.8) for the emulsions was successively reduced from 4.80 to 0.40 min with increasing CaCl 2 concentration from 0 to 10 mM, respectively. Correspondingly, the sample with the highest CaCl 2 addition level developed the highest viscosity during heating (95 °C × 30 s), reaching a final value of 163 mPa·s. This was attributed to calcium-mediated interactions of lentil proteins, as confirmed by the increase in the mean particle diameter (D[4,3]) to 36.5 µm for the sample with 6 mM CaCl 2 , compared to the unheated and heated control with D[4,3] values of 0.75 and 0.68 µm, respectively. This study demonstrated that the combination of calcium and heat promoted the aggregation of lentil proteins in concentrated emulsions.

Dry fractionated faba bean protein-rich flour (FPR) produced by milling/air classification, and faba bean protein isolate (FPI) produced by acid extraction/isoelectric precipitation were compared in terms of composition, techno-functional properties, nutritional properties and environmental impacts. FPR had a lower protein content (64.1%, dry matter (DM)) compared to FPI (90.1%, DM), due to the inherent limitations of air classification. Of the two ingredients, FPR demonstrated superior functionality, including higher protein solubility (85%), compared to FPI (32%) at pH 7. Foaming capacity was higher for FPR, although foam stability was similar for both ingredients. FPR had greater gelling ability compared to FPI. The higher carbohydrate content of FPR may have contributed to this difference. An amino acid (AA) analysis revealed that both ingredients were low in sulfur-containing AAs, with FPR having a slightly higher level than FPI. The potential nutritional benefits of the aqueous process compared to the dry process used in this study were apparent in the higher in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) and lower trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) in FPI compared to FPR. Additionally, vicine/convicine were detected in FPR, but not in FPI. Furthermore, much lower levels of fermentable oligo-, di- and monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) were found in FPI compared to FPR. The life cycle assessment (LCA) revealed a lower environmental impact for FPR, partly due to the extra water and energy required for aqueous processing. However, in a comparison with cow's milk protein, both FPR and FPI were shown to have considerably lower environmental impacts.

In the last decades, there has been a growing interest from consumers in their food choices. Organic, natural, less processed, functional, and pre-probiotic products were preferred. Although, Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii is the most well-characterized probiotic yeast available on the market, improvement in probiotic function using other yeast species is an attractive future direction. In the present study, un-anthropized natural environments and spontaneous processed foods were exploited for wild yeast isolation with the goal of amplifying the knowledge of probiotic aptitudes of different yeast species. For this purpose, 179 yeast species were isolated, identified as belonging to twelve different genera, and characterized for the most important probiotic features. Findings showed interesting probiotic characteristics for some yeast strains belonging to Lachancea thermotolerans , Metschnikowia ziziphicola , Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Torulaspora delbrueckii species, although these probiotic aptitudes were strictly strain-dependent. These yeast strains could be proposed for different probiotic applications, such as a valid alternative to, or in combination with, the probiotic yeast S. cerevisiae var. boulardii .

Similarly prepared protein isolates from blue lupin ( Lupinus angustifolius ) and white lupin ( L. albus ) were assessed in relation to their composition, functional properties, nutritional attributes and environmental impacts. Blue lupin protein isolate (BLPI) and white lupin protein isolate (WLPI) were found to be quite similar in composition, although differences in the electrophoretic protein profiles were apparent. Both lupin protein isolates (LPIs) had good protein solubility (76.9% for BLPI and 69.8% for WLPI at pH 7) and foaming properties. However, a remarkable difference in heat gelation performance was observed between BLPI and WLPI. WLPI had a minimum gelling concentration of 7% protein, whereas BLPI required 23% protein in order to form a gel. WLPI also resulted in stronger gels over a range of concentrations compared to BLPI. Nutritional properties of both LPIs were similar, with no significant differences in in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD), and both had very low trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) and fermentable oligo-, di- and monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) content. The amino acid profiles of both LPIs were also similar, with sulfur-containing amino acids (SAAs) being the limiting amino acid in each case. Environmental impacts revealed by the life cycle assessment (LCA) were almost identical for BLPI and WLPI, and in most categories the LPIs demonstrated considerably better performance per kg protein when compared to cow's whole milk powder., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Food research is constantly searching for new ways to replace sugar. This is due to the negative connotations of sugar consumption on health which has driven consumer demand for healthier products and is reflected on a national level by the taxation of sugary beverages. Sugar alcohols, a class of polyols, are present in varying levels in many fruits and vegetables and are also added to foods as low calorific sweeteners. The most commonly used polyols in food include sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, erythritol, maltitol, lactitol and isomalt. Of these, microorganisms can produce sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol and erythritol either naturally or through genetic engineering. Production of polyols by microbes has been the focus of a lot of research for its potential as an alternative to current industrial scale production by chemical synthesis but can also be used for in situ production of natural sweeteners in fermented products using microbes approved for use in foods. This review on the generation of these natural sweetening compounds by microorganisms examines the current understanding and methods of microbial production of polyols that are applicable in the food industry. The review also considers the health benefits and effects of polyol usage and discusses regulations which are applicable to polyol use.

The world is facing a big problem of non-communicable diseases, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. An excessive sugar consumption is considered as a main factor, which triggers these diseases. The two main sources of sugar in processed products on the market are sugar-sweetened beverages and sweet bakery products. Sugar reduction is challenging, especially in baked goods, since it interacts significantly with all ingredients. These interactions cause an increase in gelatinization temperature, a delay in gluten network development, an increase or decrease in yeast activity depending on the sugar concentration, as well as an enhancement of emulsification. Reflecting the molecular interactions on the product quality characteristics of different types of baked goods, sugar also contributes to browning reactions and extension of microbial shelf life. During cake preparation, sugar supports the batter aeration which results in the typical soft cake crumb. Furthermore, it contributes to the spreading process of biscuits during baking and enhances surface cracking due to recrystallization. Sugar reduction requires the development of different strategies; Two well-known strategies are the replacement of added sugar by the combination of bulking agents and high-intensive sweeteners, or by sweet bulking ingredients, such as polyols. The in-situ production of polyols to enhance sweetness, and exopolysaccharides to improve texture, in a sourdough system shows high potential as sugar replacement. Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis, Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Leuconostoc citreum are high mannitol producing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains with yields of 70-98% and Leuconostoc oenos was found to produce erythritol. Furthermore, the yeast strain Candida milleri isolated from sourdough produces xylitol in the presence of xylose. Exopolysaccharides produced by LAB and/or yeasts are known to improve the texture and structure of bakery products and, thus, have high potential as natural functional ingredients to compensate quality loss in sweet bakery goods., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A marketing study revealed that commercially available burger buns can contain up to 10% (w/w) of added sugar. In order to reduce sugar and maintaining the product quality at the same time, functional ingredients and alternative sweetening agents have to be incorporated. In this study, the sourdough lactic acid bacteria Leuconostoc citreum TR116, selected for its ability to produce high amounts of mannitol, was used to produce wheat sourdough and its biochemical characteristics (cell count, pH, TTA, sugar- and acid profile, as well as mannitol production) were monitored over 48 h. The so produced sourdough was then incorporated, as a functional ingredient, into a sugar reduced burger bun system and the quality characteristics of the dough and the final product were determined. Sourdough incorporation counteract the negative effects of sugar reduction on dough properties and resulted in the same viscoelastic properties (0.423 ± 0.008) and gluten-network-development (PMT: 160 ± 12.6 s; TM: 44.0 ± 2.6 BU) as the full-sugar control dough. Furthermore, the investigation of specific volume, crumb hardness and chewiness revealed no significant differences between sugar reduced sourdough burger buns and its control. It is noteworthy that sourdough contributed to browning reaction resulting in darker crumb and crust colour (-8.2%; -9.6%) and it extended microbial shelf life of the burger buns significantly (+3.5 days). Sensory evaluation showed no significant differences in sweetness and sourness between sugar reduced buns containing sourdough and the full-sugar control. In conclusion, the incorporation of mannitol-rich sourdough fermented by Leuconostoc citreum TR116 represents a novel technological approach in the field of sugar reduction and showed high potential as a functional ingredient to ameliorate the losses of important quality parameters. Especially sourdough containing higher amounts of mannitol and lower amounts of lactate improved significantly the dough and burger bun quality., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The challenge remains for the baking industry to reduce salt levels in yeasted bread as directed by governments, retailers and consumers around the world. The two main problems associated with the reduction of salt are a lack of salty taste and the reduction in shelf-life. Both of these issues are addressed in the presented work. A range of breads containing different levels of salt (0.0%, 0.3% and 1.2% of NaCl) in combination with various levels of sourdough (0%, 6%, 12%, 18%, 24%) was produced. The different doughs were analysed for their rheological behaviour. The bread quality characteristics such as loaf volume, crumb structure, staling rate and microbial shelf life were also determined. The sourdoughs were analysed for their different metabolites: organic acids, sugars, exopolysaccharides (EPS), and antifungal compounds. A trained sensory panel was used to perform descriptive analysis of the bread samples. The object of this paper is to use functional sourdoughs, containing Lactobacillus amylovorus DSM 19280 and Weisella cibaria MG1 to compensate for the quality problems that occur when salt is reduced in yeasted bread. The application of functional sourdoughs containing exopolysaccharides and/or antifungal substances in salt reduced breads significantly improved the quality. The application of functional sourdoughs allows the reduction of salt to a level of 0.3%., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Sugar reduction in sweet baked goods is one of the most popular trends on the food market. However, reducing sugar without lowering the product quality with respect to sweetness, texture and microbial shelf life is challenging. Sugar alcohols are one group of sugar replacers which maintain the bulk and contribute to sweetness. Nevertheless, alternative approaches, particularly those that are seen as 'clean label', are highly demanded. Hence, the natural, in situ production of mannitol in a sourdough system was performed and its potential as a functional ingredient to improve the product quality of a sugar-reduced cake was investigated. A full sugar cake (C1), a 50% sugar-reduced cake with wheat starch (C2) or with commercially available mannitol (C3) were considered as controls. The substitution of sugar by wheat starch or mannitol caused lower specific volume (-15.5%; -10.7%), a harder crumb (+17.1 N; +4.4 N), less browning, a shorter microbial shelf life (-5.7 days; -4.3 days) and poorer sensory properties. The incorporation of sourdough in C2 improved the pasting properties by decreasing the peak viscosity. Moreover, it resulted in a similar specific volume to the full-sugar control, contributed to significantly softer crumb (-8.6 N) and increased browning compared to C2. Sensory evaluation revealed an increased sweetness perception (+93%), aroma (+30%) and flavour (+25.5%) by the incorporation of sourdough. Although sourdough incorporation improved sugar-reduced cakes, the quality characteristics of the full-sugar control could not be achieved in this study. In conclusion, the addition of sourdough in amounts lower than 10% can be considered a useful tool to improve specific volume, crumb structure, colour, taste and flavour, as well as shelf life of sugar-reduced cakes.

Acetic acid bacteria (AAB) have, for centuries, been important microorganisms in the production of fermented foods and beverages such as vinegar, kombucha, (water) kefir, and lambic beer. Their unique form of metabolism, known as "oxidative" fermentation, mediates the transformation of a variety of substrates into products, which are of importance in the food and beverage industry and beyond; the most well-known of which is the oxidation of ethanol into acetic acid. Here, a comprehensive review of the physiology of AAB is presented, with particular emphasis on their importance in the production of vinegar and fermented beverages. In addition, particular reference is addressed toward Gluconobacter oxydans due to its biotechnological applications, such as its role in vitamin C production. The production of vinegar and fermented beverages in which AAB play an important role is discussed, followed by an examination of the literature relating to the health benefits associated with consumption of these products. AAB hold great promise for future exploitation, both due to increased consumer demand for traditional fermented beverages such as kombucha, and for the development of new types of products. Further studies on the health benefits related to the consumption of these fermented products and guidelines on assessing the safety of AAB for use as microbial food cultures (starter cultures) are, however, necessary in order to take full advantage of this important group of microorganisms., (© 2019 Institute of Food Technologists®.)

This study presents an analytical method for the quantification of fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) in cereals and cereal-based products, considering diverse ingredients, such as different cereals in addition to wheat, pulses, or pseudocereals. All carbohydrates have been separated, identified, and quantified with a high-performance anion-exchange chromatographic system coupled with a pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD). The total fructan content and the average degree of polymerization (DP av ) have been determined after enzymatic hydrolysis to the monomers glucose and fructose, on the basis of the principle of the official method for fructan quantification in food products, AOAC 997.08. The methods for extraction, separation, and detection as well as fructan determination are based on several other studies and were modified in order to minimize interferences in the analysis. The method has been validated with regard to the limits of detection and quantification, the linearity, the repeatability, and the accuracy as well as the DP av of the fructans.

Economic losses due to post-harvest fungal spoilage and mycotoxin contamination of cereal crops is a frequently encountered issue. Typically, chemical preservatives are used to reduce the initial microbial load and the environmental conditions during storage are controlled to prevent microbial growth. However, in recent years the consumers' desire for more naturally produced foods containing less chemical preservatives has grown increasingly stronger. This article reviews the latest advances in terms of novel approaches for chemical decontamination, namely application cold atmospheric pressure plasma and electrolyzed water, and their suitability for preservation of stored cereal crops. In addition, the alternative use of bio-preservatives, such as starter cultures or purified antimicrobial compounds, to prevent the growth of spoilage organisms or remove in-field accumulated mycotoxins is evaluated. All treatments assessed here show potential for inhibition of microbial spoilage. However, each method encounters draw-backs, making industrial application difficult. Even under optimized processing conditions, it is unlikely that one single treatment can reduce the natural microbial load sufficiently. It is evident that future research needs to examine the combined application of several treatments to exploit their synergistic properties. This would enable sufficient reduction in the microbial load and ensure microbiological safety of cereal crops during long-term storage.

The interest for plant-based dairy substitutes is expanding rapidly and consumers are opting for nutritious and healthy dairy alternatives. The reduction of sugar using different exogenous enzymes in combination with lactic acid fermentation in a quinoa-based milk substitute was explored in this study. Different amylolytic enzymes were used to release sugar from the raw material, which were further metabolised to mannitol, due to fermentation with two heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria. Using these two biotechnological techniques enables the reduction of sugar, while also preserving some of the sweetness. Leuconostoc citreum TR116, and Lactobacillus brevis TR055 were isolated from sourdough. Both strains showed high viable cell counts with L. citreum TR116 > 8.4 and L. brevis TR055 > 9.3 log cfu/mL, and a reduction in pH to 3.7 and 3.5 respectively. When fructose was available, mannitol was produced in conjunction with acetic acid in addition to lactic acid. Due to these processes, the original glucose value was reduced from 50 mmol/100 g to approximately 30 mmol/100 g, which equates to a glucose reduction of 40%. In respect to mannitol production, both strains performed well: L. citreum TR116 showed a conversion factor of 1:1 from fructose to mannitol, while L. brevis TR055 showed a lower yield, with a conversion factor of 1:0.8. Glycaemic load was reduced by more than a third, bringing it down to the low range with a value of about 10. Overall, enzymatic modification in conjunction with mannitol-producing lactic acid bacteria shows great potential for further possible application in the development of nutritious and sugar reduced plant-based milk substitutes., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)