Sugary Kefir: Microbial Identification and Biotechnological Properties

The Impact of Collaborative Communication on the Physical Distribution Service Quality of Soft Drinks: A Case Study of Beverage Manufacturing Companies in Greece

This research aimed to use the collaborative communication aspects of information sharing, incentive alignment, and decision synchronization to explain physical distribution service quality in the soft drink demand chain. The research was prompted by a desire to learn more about a topic that has received little attention in Greece while also contributing information about the variables that influence the performance of soft drink distribution networks. Manufacturers in Greece provided the data. The aspects of collaborative communication were significant determinants of the physical distribution service quality. Physical distribution service quality was shown to be significantly predicted by incentive alignment and information sharing, but not by decision synchronization. This research shows that collaborative communication aspects such as information sharing, decision synchronization, and incentive alignment enhance physical distribution service quality in soft drink demand chains. The research used a primary sample of 200 study participants from different drink manufacturing plants around Greece. In our research, we focused on vertical cooperation between manufacturers and distributors and its effect on physical distribution service quality. This is a relatively unexplored topic in the developing world. According to the scholars cited in the literature review, information exchange, incentive alignment, and decision synchronization improve physical distribution service quality in demand chains.

From Milk Kefir to Water Kefir: Assessment of Fermentation Processes, Microbial Changes and Evaluation of the Produced Beverages

The aim of the present study was to investigate the feasibly of using traditional milk kefir grains for the production of water kefir-like beverages and assess the changes in the physicochemical characteristics and the microbial populations of the fermented beverages. To this end, experiments of milk fermentation were primarily conducted at different temperatures and upon selection of the optimal, a gradual substitution of the substrate was performed by replacing milk from a sucrose-based solution. After the successful fermentation of the sucrose substrate, fruit juices were used as fermentation substrates. Sensory evaluation of the sugar-based beverages was also performed in order to access their acceptability for consumption. According to the results, the transition from milk to water kefir is indeed feasible, leading to the production of beverages with relatively higher ethanol concentrations (up to 2.14 ± 0.12% w/v) than milk kefir and much lower lactic acid concentrations (up to 0.16 ± 0.01% w/v). During the fermentation of the sugary substrates, yeasts seemed to be dominant over lactic acid bacteria, in contrast to what was observed in the case of milk kefir, where LAB dominated. The sensory evaluation revealed that all sugar-based beverages were acceptable for consumption, with the fruit-based ones obtaining, though, a better score in all attributes.

Water Kefir Grains vs. Milk Kefir Grains: Physical, Microbial and Chemical Comparison

AIMS

Even though kefir has been known for centuries, there is confusion between the two types of kefir grains, e.g., milk kefir grain and water kefir grain. This study aimed to unravel the differences and similarities between water kefir grain and milk kefir grain.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Microbiological analyses, identification of grains microbiota and enumeration of microbiological content of the grains as well as Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) imaging, dry matter, protein, ash, and mineral content, and color analyses were carried out for the two types of grains. As a result, significant differences were found in microbiological content, chemical properties, and colors (p<0.05). Additionally, SEM images revealed the different intrinsic structures for the microbiota and the structure of the two types of grains.

CONCLUSIONS

MK grain has more nutritional content compared to WK grain. Despite not as widely known and used as MK grain, WK grain is a good source for minerals and health-friendly microorganisms like lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeasts. WK grain is possibly suitable for vegans and allergic individuals to fulfill nutritional requirements. Moreover, in this study, the variety of WK grain microbial consortia was wider than that of MK grains, and this significantly affected the resultant WK products.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This is the first study that comprehensively compares two different kefir grains in microbial, chemical, and physical properties.

Technological and Safety Attributes of Lactic Acid Bacteria and Yeasts Isolated from Spontaneously Fermented Greek Wheat Sourdoughs

The aim of the present study was to assess the technological and safety potential of 207 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and 195 yeast strains isolated from spontaneously fermented Greek wheat sourdoughs. More accurately, the amylolytic, proteolytic, lipolytic, phytase and amino acid decarboxylase activities, along with the production of exopolysaccharides and antimicrobial compounds by the LAB and yeast isolates, were assessed. A well diffusion assay revealed seven proteolytic LAB and eight yeast strains; hydrolysis of tributyrin was evident only in 11 LAB strains. A further Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) indicated partial hydrolysis of gluten. Lipolysis kinetics over 21 days was applied, exhibiting that lipolytic activity ranged from 6.25 to 65.50 AU/mL. Thirteen LAB inhibited Penicillium olsonii and Aspergillus niger growth and 12 yeast strains inhibited Pe. chrysogenum growth. Twenty-one Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains exhibited inhibitory activity against Listeria monocytogenes, as well as several sourdough-associated isolates. The structural gene encoding plantaricin 423 was detected in 19 Lcb. plantarum strains, while the structural genes encoding plantaricins NC8, PlnE/F, PlnJ/K, and S were detected in two Lcb. plantarum strains. None of the microbial strains tested exhibited exopolysaccharide (EPS) production, amino acid decarboxylase, amylolytic or phytase activity. The technological and safety potential of the Lcb. plantarum and Wickerhamomyces anomalus strains was highlighted, since some of them exhibited proteolytic, lipolytic, antibacterial and antimould activities.

Prebiotic, Probiotic, Antimicrobial, and Functional Food Applications of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens belongs to the genus Bacillus and family Baciliaceae. It is ubiquitously found in food, plants, animals, soil, and in different environments. In this review, the application of B. amyloliquefaciens in probiotic and prebiotic microbes in fermentation, synthesis, and hydrolysis of food compounds is discussed as well as further insights into its potential application and gaps. B. amyloliquefaciens is also a potential microbe in the synthesis of bioactive compounds including peptides and exopolysaccharides. In addition, it can synthesize antimicrobial compounds (e.g., Fengycin, and Bacillomycin Lb), which makes its novelty in the food sector greater. Moreover, it imparts and improves the functional, sensory, and shelf life of the end products. The hydrolysis of complex compounds including insoluble proteins, carbohydrates, fibers, hemicellulose, and lignans also shows that B. amyloliquefaciens is a multifunctional and potential microbe which can be applied in the food industry and in functional food processing.