Comparison of growth characteristics and exopolysaccharide formation of two lactic acid bacteria strains, Pediococcus damnosus 2.6 and Lactobacillus brevis G-77, in an oat-based, non-dairy medium.

The fermentation characteristics of two strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Lactobacillus brevis G-77 and Pediococcus damnosus 2.6 were compared in an oat-based, nondairy milk medium (Adavena® G40). Viscosity and ropiness were the main growth parameters studied. Both strains are reported to produce an exopolysaccharide (EPS) with a -glucan structure; in addition, the L. brevis strain produces also an EPS with an -glucan structure. Both strains were able to ferment and produce EPS in the oat-based, nondairy medium to the extent that an obvious change was observed in terms of viscosity and ropiness during the fermentation period. These results show the potential of both LAB strains as possible starter cultures in new kinds of fermented, nondairy milk products

Development of an oat-based sour milk-like product

A fermented, oat-based product with properties resembling those of the traditional, Swedish, fermented milk product "filmjoelk" (sour milk) was developed. Com., mixed-strain, mesophilic starter cultures were grown in the oatbases M30, G40, and Oatly, which differed in the compn. of their carbohydrates. The exopolysaccharide-producer Pediococcus damnosus 2.6 was included to increase the viscosity of the G40 product. The CHN-19 culture chosen for the final product formulation produced a pleasant, buttery aroma, but a less sour taste than ordinary "filmjoelk". The addn. of glucose to M30 increased the acidification rate and gave a better aroma. A sensory anal. of two flavored products based on the G40 and M30 media, showed a higher acceptance of the M30 product. This study shows a potential for producing an oat-based "filmjoelk", but further work on consistency and taste is needed

Growth and exopolysaccharide formation by Pediococcus damnosus 2.6 in beta-glucan suspensions of oat and barley

The formation of exopolysaccharides (EPS) by Pediococcus damnosus strain 2.6 was investigated in two different high P-glucan suspensions of oat (OBC) and barley (BBC). Bacterial growth was confirmed by measuring pH, colony forming units (cfu), viscosity and ropiness during growth. Growth and an increase in viscosity of the beta-glucan suspension based on oat were observed whereas only a minor growth and no significant effect on viscosity was seen in the beta-glucans suspension based on barley. Higher bacterial growth and higher final viscosity and ropiness were observed in samples that were mixed with the OBC and an ordinary commercial oat-base (Adavena(R) G40). These results show the potential of using a combination of a high beta-glucan suspension of cereals to generate fermented products containing both high levels of native beta-glucans from oats or barley and also microbial beta-glucans from the starter culture

Effects of fermented, ropy, non-dairy, oat-based products on serum lipids and the faecal excretion of cholesterol and short chain fatty acids in germfree and conventional rats

Three fermented, ropy, non-dairy, oat-based products were evaluated for their effect on serum lipids, faecal cholesterol and faecal short chain fatty. acids in germfree and conventional rats. Three different exopolysaccharide (EPS) producing lactic acid bacteria strains were used to ferment the non-dairy oat-base (Adavena(R) G40) (Ceba Foods AB, Lund; Sweden). Two commercial non-dairy products based on oats (Mill Milk(TM)) (Ceba Foods AB, Lund, Sweden) and rice (Rice Dream(R)) (Imagine Foods, London, UK) were used as non-ropy and unfermented controls. All the standardized feeds were sterilized before being fed to the animals. Adult, germfree-and conventional AGUS rats, were fed the above sterile diets ad libitum for 21 days. Blood samples and faecal samples were collected and the animals' weight gain was monitored throughout the study. No significant change in serum lipids or faecal excretion of cholesterol was observed between the groups on the different diets. A difference in faecal SCFA pattern was observed in conventional rats fed on the oat-based diets in comparison. to the group fed on the rice-based diet. More evidence is needed to support the effect of fermented, ropy, oat-based products and their potential effect on serum lipids, faecal cholesterol/coprostanol levels and amounts of short chain fatty acids

Fermented, ropy, oat-based products reduce cholesterol levels and stimulate the bifidobacteria flora in humans

This investigation determined the effects of fermented oat-based products containing both native and microbial beta-glucans on plasma lipids and on fecal total bacterial count and Bifidobacterium ssp. The study was randomized, double blind with 3 parallel groups. Sixty-two free-living volunteers with moderately increased plasma cholesterol levels were recruited. In the final analysis, 56 subjects remained, as 6 subjects had left the study either due to lack of time (n = 2), unwillingness to continue the regimen (n = 2), or for other reasons (n = 2). During the first 3 weeks, all subjects received a fermented dairy-based product (control product, run-in period). On the following 5 weeks, I group continued with the control product, whereas the other 2 groups were given fermented oat-based products (intervention period, 3-3.5 g native beta-glucans per day). One of the oat products (ropy) was cofermented with an exopolysaccharide-producing strain, Pediococcus damnosus 2.6. A significant (P = .022) reduction in total cholesterol by 6% was observed in volunteers who had eaten the fermented, ropy, oat-based product compared with the control group. No other significant changes in plasma lipids were found. A significant increase in total bacterial count (P = .001) and Bifidobacterium ssp (P = .012) was observed in fecal samples from volunteers in the group who had eaten the fermented, ropy, oat-based product. This study shows that a fermented, ropy, oat-based product, containing both native and microbial glucans, can reduce the blood cholesterol level and also stimulate the bifidobacteria flora in the gastrointestinal tract. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved