Co-Culture Probiotic Fermentation of Protein-Enriched Cereal Medium (Boza)
Abstract Objective: Boza is a fermented cereal beverage which is produced by co-culture fermentation of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. In addition to the nutritional properties of cereals used in the production, it is also suitable to be gaining functional properties by fermenting with probiotic microorganisms. Methods: In this study, protein content of probiotic boza was increased by the addition of gluten, zein and chickpea flour and the volatile compounds formed during co-culture fermentation of the cereal medium with Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Saccharomyces boulardii were determined. Results: It was determined that chickpea added boza provided the highest cell counts of Lactobacillus acidophilus (7.92 logs CFU/g), Bifidobacterium bifidum (7.32 log CFU/g) and Saccharomyces boulardii (3.26 log CFU/g) during storage. With the addition of gluten, the protein content of the sample was enriched four times more when compared with control boza. During fermentation and storage, a total of 36 different compounds were identified with the major compounds as 9,12-octadecadienoic acid, 9-octadecenoic acid, hexadecanoic acid and hexadecanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl ester. The concentration of volatile compounds generally decreased during storage of samples. According to Principle Cluster Analysis results, enriched protein samples had similar projections due to their fatty acid contents and the main difference was shown in the control sample. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that chickpea, single or mixture with cereals, can be a good substrate for probiotic microorganism production for acceptance as probiotic foods.
Non-Alcoholic Fermented Cereal Beverage | Encyclopedia
Reviewing the existent literature regarding some of the most studied (Non-Alcoholic Fermented Cereal Beverage) NFCBs, it is shown that they are usually based on barley, maize, millet, oats, rice, rye, sorghum, and wheat . Cereals are known as important sources of dietary proteins , energy, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and fibre (arabinoxylan and β–glucan), but, at the same time, they are deficient in some basic components (essential amino acids, e.g., lysine) [19,30]. Whole grains are known to have important bioactive compounds and high nutritional values and their regular consumption has a positive effect on health . The presence of soluble fibre lowers the glycaemic index of the beverage by slowing down its digestion and absorption, whereas phenolic compounds have antioxidant potential and scavenge harmful free radicals in the body .
Inhibition of Root Growth and Polyamine Metabolism in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Seedlings Under Cadmium and Copper Stress
Although sunflower is usually regarded as a highly tolerant crop, impairment of root growth at initial stages of plant development may result in poor crop establishment and higher susceptibility to pathogen attack. In order to evaluate if Cd2+ and Cu2+ may impact on sunflower germination and initial root development, a pot experiment under controlled conditions was carried out. Possible involvement of polyamine metabolism in sunflower response to these stressors was also investigated. Although Cd2+ and Cu2+ treatments affect neither seed germination nor radicle emergence, sunflower seedlings grown in the presence of these heavy metals showed significant inhibition of root growth, being this inhibition greater for Cd2+. Both metals caused significant increases in proline contents at the highest concentrations tested (0.5 and 1 mM), and these increments were more pronounced for Cd2+ treatments, especially between days 3 and 10. Metals also increased putrescine (Put) contents at all concentrations assayed from the seventh day onward, causing no variations on this polyamine time-course pattern. Spermine and spermidine contents, however, were increased only by 1 mM Cd2+. Arginine decarboxylase seems to have been the enzyme responsible for Put increases under both metal treatments. This work demonstrates that initial root growth of sunflower seedlings may be significantly impaired in Cd2+ or Cu2+ contaminated soils. It also shows that polyamines are key biological compounds, which are probably involved in signaling pathways triggered under stress environmental conditions.