Effects on total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant properties, and angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory activity of beans by solid-state fermentation with Cordyceps militaris.

The ascomycete Cordyceps genus has been used as valued traditional Chinese medicine and functional food. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) of soybean, chickpea, black bean, and mung bean with Cordyceps militaris was performed for 35 days at 22°C, and then the biomass, total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) increased significantly with the extension of fermentation time. The cordycepin content in four SSF-beans was as high as 8.33, 11.12, 10.43, and 6.64 mg/g, respectively. Moreover, the fermentation improved the 1,1′-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTs) radical scavenging capacity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and ACE inhibition ability. Overall, the findings of the study stated clearly that SSF of beans with C. militaris was a potentially promising way to enhance the nutritional, physico-chemical, and biological properties of the substrate. Cordyceps-fermented products may serve as a novel valuable nutritional and functional food in health industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]