Factors affecting diacetyl production by lactic acid bacteria

Effect of different Lactobacillus species on volatile and nonvolatile flavor compounds in juices fermentation

Lactobacillus is the dominant genus during fruit and vegetable juices (FVFs) fermentation, which are the key factors for taste and flavor. This study was performed to investigate the effects of different Lactobacillus spp. on profile of volatile flavor compounds and nonvolatile taste compounds in FVFs fermentation. A total of 14 compounds were identified as discriminant flavor and taste markers for fermented FVFs via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based multimarker profiling. The PCA score plot and PLS-DA showed that different FVFs were divided into three distinct types, suggesting that the different species significantly affect the volatile and nonvolatile compounds profiles of FVFs. Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus rhamnosus (Type A FVFs) might make a greater contribution to the umami taste. Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus acidophilus (Type B FVFs) make a greater contribution to the sour taste. Lactobacillus fermentum may be an potential critical contributor to produce volatile compounds. We reveal that different Lactobacillus strains play different roles in modifying these compounds related to flavor and taste features.

Production of succinic Acid from citric Acid and related acids by lactobacillus strains

A number of Lactobacillus strains produced succinic acid in de Man-Rogosa-Sharpe broth to various extents. Among 86 fresh isolates from fermented cane molasses in Thailand, 30 strains (35%) produced succinic acid; namely, 23 of 39 Lactobacillus reuteri strains, 6 of 18 L. cellobiosus strains, and 1 of 6 unidentified strains. All of 10 L. casei subsp. casei strains, 5 L. casei subsp. rhamnosus strains, 6 L. mali strains, and 2 L. buchneri strains did not produce succinic acid. Among 58 known strains including 48 type strains of different Lactobacillus species, the strains of L. acidophilus, L. crispatus, L. jensenii, and L. parvus produced succinic acid to the same extent as the most active fresh isolates, and those of L. alimentarius, L. collinoides, L. farciminis, L. fructivorans (1 of 2 strains tested), L. malefermentans, and L. reuteri were also positive, to lesser extents. Diammonium citrate in de Man-Rogosa-Sharpe broth was determined as a precursor of the succinic acid produced. Production rates were about 70% on a molar basis with two fresh strains tested. Succinic acid was also produced from fumaric and malic acids but not from dl-isocitric, alpha-ketoglutaric, and pyruvic acids. The present study is considered to provide the first evidence on the production of succinic acid, an important flavoring substance in dairy products and fermented beverages, from citrate by lactobacilli.

Oxidative metabolism in Pediococcus pentosaceus. I. Role of oxygen and catalase

Dobrogosz, Walter J. (Pennsylvania State University, University Park) and Robert W. Stone. Oxidative metabolism in Pediococcus pentosaceus. I. Role of oxygen and catalase. J. Bacteriol. 84:716-723. 1962.-Studies were conducted on the physiological behavior of several strains of Pediococcus pentosaceus isolated from alfalfa silages. Although these organisms are regarded as homofermentative lactic acid bacteria which metabolize carbohydrates via the classic reactions of glycolysis, this investigation showed that they were capable of developing other physiologically important reactions related to carbohydrate metabolism. Growth on glycerol, for example, was shown to depend on the development of aerobic reactions, and was directly related to the catalase content of the various strains tested. These organisms were shown to be devoid of a cytochrome system, thus implicating an active flavoprotein system in oxidative reactions. A study of the end products of aerobic glycerol metabolism suggested that glycerol was oxidized to the pyruvate level, with subsequent reactions involving pyruvate leading to the accumulation of lactate, acetate, acetoin, and CO(2) in a molar ratio of approximately 1:1:1:3.

High-Efficiency Conversion of Pyruvate to Acetoin by Lactobacillus plantarum during pH-Controlled and Fed-Batch Fermentations

The influence of pH on the type and concentration of metabolites produced from pyruvate by Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014 was examined in pH-controlled fermentors at pH values of 4.5 to 6.5. Specific growth rates, cell dry weights, and diacetyl concentrations were highest at pH 5.5, with values of 0.78 h −1 , 190 mg/liter, and 1.2 mM, respectively. While the conversion efficiency (millimoles of acetoin formed per millimoles of pyruvate utilized) was highest (94.6%) at pH 4.5, acetoin levels were similar (20 mM) between pH 4.5 and 5.5. Feeding stationary-phase cells exogenous pyruvate increased acetoin levels to 78 mM.

Citric acid metabolism in hetero- and homofermentative lactic acid bacteria

The effect of citrate on production of diacetyl and acetoin by four strains each of heterofermentative and homofermentative lactic acid bacteria capable of utilizing citrate was studied. Acetoin was quantitatively the more important compound. The heterofermentative bacteria produced no acetoin or diacetyl in the absence of citrate, and two strains produced traces of acetoin in its presence. Citrate stimulated the growth rate of the heterofermentative lactobacilli. Acidification of all heterofermentative cultures with citric acid resulted in acetoin production. Destruction of accumulated acetoin appeared to coincide with the disappearance of citrate. All homofermentative bacteria produced more acetoin and diacetyl in the presence of citrate than in its absence. Citrate utilization was begun immediately by the streptococci but was delayed until at least the middle of the exponential phase in the case of the lactobacilli.

Effects of citrate on the composition and metabolism of Lactobacillus casei

Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393 converted small amounts of citrate to diacetyl, other volatile compounds, and lipids. Citrate was accumulated passively by the organism. The presence of citrate in the growth medium decreased the uptake of acetate and its conversion to cellular lipids. Cells grown in citrate media contained more protein per cell than did controls. This increased protein content was reflected mainly in the soluble fraction when cells were subjected to sonic lysis. Soluble fractions from cells cultured in the presence of citrate contained more total protein as well as more individual proteins than these fractions from control cells. The presence of citrate caused extensive flocculation and increased the susceptibility of cells to lysis.