Cholesterol Uptake and Survival of <em>Lactococcus lactis</em> Strains in Fluids Simulating the Human Stomach and Duodenum

Scientific evidence exists showing that lactic acid bacteria, including the genus Lactococcus, have the capacity to bind and remove cholesterol. However, in many cases, in vivo and in vitro results are not unambiguous or reproducible; thus it appeared valid to conduct a study which would explain what factors determine adhesion and assimilation of cholesterol by Lactococcus. The study on Lactococcus bacteria under in vitro conditions in model digestive fluids may contribute to the explanation of the observed ambiguities. In vitro research has proven that Lactococcus is capable of removing free cholesterol under in vitro conditions in broths without bile salts, as well as in a simulated gastric fluid and in the conditions of simulated intestinal fluid. The amount of cholesterol removed by live cells of Lactococcus is directly proportionately dependent on the concentration of this substance, incubation temperature, count, and viability of cells. However, oftentimes these relationships are not linear. Under the conditions of model gastric fluid or intestinal fluid, the cultures of Lactococcus release portion of the previously bound cholesterol, independent of cell viability. The survival rate of Lactococcus cells in simulated gastric fluid or simulated intestinal fluid depends on the tested bacterial culture and does not depend on the presence of cholesterol

The Possibility of Obtaining Buckwheat Beverages Fermented with Lactic Acid Bacteria and Bifidobacteria

In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of four different industrial starter cultures containing lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria on the selected characteristics of beverages prepared from buckwheat and stored at 4°C for 28 days. We estimated the pH of the beverages during fermentation and storage under refrigerated conditions. We also determined the number of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria and performed a chromatographic analysis of the carbohydrates. According to the results, the tested starter cultures effectively fermented the buckwheat beverage. The viable cell count of the starter microflora was sufficient to demonstrate the health-promoting properties of buckwheat. The pH of beverages was stable during the refrigerated storage. However, the carbohydrate content of the stored beverages changed, which indicates a constant biochemical activity of the microflora

Production and Consumer Acceptance of Millet Beverages

The use of millet for the production of plant-based beverages has beneficial effects because it is healthy and gluten-free. In its raw form, millet is rich in dietary fiber and polyphenols. Millet beverages are characterized by relatively low popularity among the consumers of plant beverages. This is mainly due to the drawbacks, namely the presence of plant flavors and “millet” smell. Constant market growth requires new products to be developed in order to meet the consumers’ expectations. The acceptance of millet beverages significantly increases when these are offered in various flavors. Furthermore, the addition of apple or banana puree to millet recipes can increase their desirability. Stabilization of millet beverages is important as they have the tendency to delaminate. This can be overcome by the use of natural stabilizers such as pectin and agar-agar which seems to be an effective option for these products

Functional Fermented Beverage Prepared from Germinated White Kidney Beans (<em>Phaseolus vulgaris</em> L.)

The current demand for plant-based food indicates that the food market is providing alternatives for products that are currently commercially available. This chapter discusses the possible use of germinated bean seeds as a raw material in the production of substitutes for dairy products, including fermented ones. Beans are a valuable source of easily digestible protein, carbohydrates, minerals, and various vitamins (e.g., B vitamin group). They also contain significant amounts of fiber which affects the proper functioning of the digestive system and antioxidant compounds. The fat content is low and is estimated to be around only 1–2%. However, it is mainly (about 70%) constituted by unsaturated fatty acids, including the polyunsaturated ones such as linoleic acid or linolenic acid, which are desirable in the human diet for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases or cancer. Biological processes such as germination or fermentation may improve the nutritional value of bean seeds (by increasing the content, digestibility, and bioavailability of some nutrients and by eliminating undesirable components) and deliver live cells of prohealth bacteria (lactic acid bacteria, propionic acid bacteria, or bifidobacteria)

Comparison of the Spreadability of Butter and Butter Substitutes

There are many types of butter, soft margarine, and blends, e.g., a mixture of butter and vegetable fats, on the market as bread spreads. Among these, butter and blends of butter with vegetable fats are very popular. The consumer&rsquo;s choice of product is often determined by functional properties, such as texture, and the physicochemical composition of butter and butter substitutes. The aim of this study was to compare sixteen market samples of butter and butter substitutes in terms of spreadability and other selected structural (spreadability, hardness, adhesive force, and adhesiveness) and physicochemical parameters (water content, water distribution, plasma pH, color, acid value, peroxide number, saponification number, and instrumentally measured fatty acid profile) to investigate their correlation with spreadability. The parameters determined here were correlated with factors such as the type of sample, measuring temperature, and physicochemical composition. The statistical analysis revealed a very strong positive correlation between hardness and spreadability for all samples tested at 4 &deg;C, as well as between hardness and spreadability for all samples tested 30 min after removal from the refrigerator; however, the interpretation of the results was different if the butter and butter substitute samples were subjected to a multivariate analysis separately

Lactic Acid Bacteria-Fermentable Cereal- and Pseudocereal-Based Beverages

Plant beverages are becoming more popular, and fermented cereal- or pseudocereal-based beverages are increasingly used as alternatives for fermented products made from cow milk. This review aimed to describe the basic components of cereal- or pseudocereal-based beverages and determine the feasibility of fermenting them with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to obtain products with live and active LAB cells and increased dietary value. The technology used for obtaining cereal- or pseudocereal-based milk substitutes primarily involves the extraction of selected plant material, and the obtained beverages differ in their chemical composition and nutritional value (content of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, glycemic index, etc.) due to the chemical diversity of the cereal and pseudocereal raw materials and the operations used for their production. Beverages made from cereals or pseudocereals are an excellent matrix for the growth of LAB, and the lactic acid fermentation not only produces desirable changes in the flavor of fermented beverages and the biological availability of nutrients but also contributes to the formation of functional compounds (e.g., B vitamins)

Wybory i preferencje młodych kobiet w stosunku do napojów roślinnych®

The aim of the work presented in the article was an analysis the choices and preferences of respondents in relation to plant-based beverages and possible directions of extending their assortment on the market. The research material consisted of survey collected via the Internet from 600 people. The surveyed population was mainly young, educated women. Plant-based beverages most often chosen by respondents were those with the most favorable sensory values and the most available on the market. The respondents’ satisfaction with the assortment of plant-based beverages available on the market was varied. The respondents declared a high interest in plant-based beverages enriched with vitamins and minerals, as well as beverages packed in packages of various types and volumes. Consumers are increasingly interested in the nutritional value of the food they buy and want to make conscious dietary decisions.Celem pracy przedstawionej w artykule jest analiza wyborów i preferencji respondentów w stosunku do napojów roślinnych i możliwych kierunków poszerzania ich asortymentu na rynku. Materiał badany stanowiły ankiety zebrane drogą internetową od 600 osób. Badaną populację stanowiły głównie młode, wykształcone kobiety. Najczęściej wybieranymi przez respondentów napojami roślinnymi były napoje o najkorzystniejszych walorach sensorycznych i najbardziej dostępne na rynku. Zadowolenie respondentów z asortymentu napojów roślinnych dostępnego na rynku było zróżnicowane. Osoby badane deklarowały duże zainteresowanie napojami roślinnymi wzbogacanymi w witaminy i składniki mineralne, a także napojami pakowanymi w opakowania różnych rodzajów i o różnej objętości. Konsumenci są coraz bardziej zainteresowani składem kupowanej żywności i chcą podejmować świadome decyzje żywieniowe

Characterization of Buckwheat Beverages Fermented with Lactic Acid Bacterial Cultures and Bifidobacteria

This study aimed to examine the effect of four different industrial starter cultures containing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bifidobacteria on selected characteristics of beverages prepared from buckwheat and stored at 4 &deg;C for 28 days. This study included the determination of pH during fermentation and during refrigerated storage, determination of the number of LAB and bifidobacteria, and chromatographic analysis of carbohydrates. This study showed that the tested starter cultures effectively fermented the buckwheat beverage. There was a sufficient number of viable cells in the starter microflora for the obtained beverages to exhibit potential health-promoting properties. Beverages had stable pH values during refrigerated storage. The stored beverages showed changes in the content of selected carbohydrates, which indicates the constant biochemical activity of the present starter microflora. This study provides useful references on the metabolism of LAB in plant-based beverages

Legumes and Legume-Based Beverages Fermented with Lactic Acid Bacteria as a Potential Carrier of Probiotics and Prebiotics

Fermentation is widely used in the processing of dairy, meat, and plant products. Due to the growing popularity of plant diets and the health benefits of consuming fermented products, there has been growing interest in the fermentation of plant products and the selection of microorganisms suitable for this process. The review provides a brief overview of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and their use in fermentation of legumes and legume-based beverages. Its scope also extends to prebiotic ingredients present in legumes and legume-based beverages that can support the growth of LAB. Legumes are a suitable matrix for the production of plant-based beverages, which are the most popular products among dairy alternatives. Legumes and legume-based beverages have been successfully fermented with LAB. Legumes are a natural source of ingredients with prebiotic properties, including oligosaccharides, resistant starch, polyphenols, and isoflavones. These compounds provide a broad range of important physiological benefits, including anti-inflammatory and immune regulation, as well as anti-cancer properties and metabolic regulation. The properties of legumes make it possible to use them to create synbiotic food, which is a source of probiotics and prebiotics

Application of Optical and Rheological Techniques in Quality and Storage Assessment of the Newly Developed Colloidal-Suspension Products: Yogurt-Type Bean-Based Beverages

The objectives of this study were to compare the properties of the yogurt-type bean-based beverages B and BG produced from the nongerminated and germinated beans, respectively, by high-pressure homogenization (HPH) and fermentation with three starter cultures. Optical techniques were used to evaluate the particle size distribution (PSD), color parameters, and instability during storage, while rheological tests were used to evaluate the shear viscosity, flow behavior, and viscoelastic properties. The BG compared to B, irrespective of the starter culture used, showed a higher mean diameter and Span of PSD (d4,3 &asymp; 76.8&ndash;84.2, Span &asymp; 2.24&ndash;2.35 for BG vs. d4,3 &asymp; 38.2&ndash;47.0, Span &asymp; 1.90&ndash;2.00 for B). The BG vs. B showed lower viscosity (0.47 Pa&middot;s for BG vs. 0.81 Pa&middot;s for B at shear rate 75 s&minus;1) and slightly lower but satisfactory stability (after 21 days at 6 &deg;C, the Turbiscan Stability Index TSI &asymp; 1.3&ndash;2.0 for BG vs. TSI &asymp; 0.6&ndash;0.9 for B). Both B and BG were characterized by light-yellow color and showed the characteristics of a viscoelastic fluid. The HPH and germination mainly affected the properties of the tested plant tissue, which has a direct impact on the properties of the final products