Enhanced Aromatic Profile and Functionality of Cheese Whey Beverages by Incorporation of Probiotic Cells Immobilized on Pistacia terebinthus Resin

Advancing Pistacia terebinthus L. (Anacardiaceae) Research: Food Preservation, Functional Foods, and Nutraceutical Potential

Pistacia terebinthus L., commonly known as the turpentine tree, is a wild-growing species with a well-documented history of use in traditional medicine and ethnobotany. Various parts of the plant-fruits, seeds, resin, leaves, and galls-have demonstrated significant bioactive potential, particularly antioxidant, antimicrobial, and functional properties. Despite these promising attributes, the industrial application of P. terebinthus L. in contemporary food and nutraceutical systems remains limited and underexplored. Recent advances have employed a range of technological strategies-including encapsulation, active food packaging, emulsion stabilization, probiotic immobilization, and fermentation-to improve the stability, bioavailability, and functional performance of P. terebinthus L.-derived extracts within food matrices. These approaches have shown potential in enhancing aroma retention, extending shelf life, and supporting probiotic viability, thereby positioning P. terebinthus L. as a promising candidate for use in functional formulations and natural food preservation. Nevertheless, further investigation is required to optimize processing parameters, assess the long-term stability of bioactive compounds, and establish standardized regulatory frameworks. Addressing these challenges will be essential for facilitating the broader integration of P. terebinthus L. into the functional food, nutraceutical, and food preservation industries.

Advanced micro-extraction techniques (SPME, HiSorb) for the determination of goat cheese whey wastewater VOCs

HiSorb and solid-phase microextraction (SPME), two environmentally friendly micro-extraction techniques based on the same fundamental principles, were evaluated for their extraction efficiency of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from goat cheese whey wastewater. For this purpose, a sample preparation method based on the headspace-HiSorb technique was developed and evaluated for its efficiency in terms of the amount of extracted compounds and reproducibility of results. Thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS) and GC/MS analytical methods were used to perform the wastewater analysis, respectively. The experimental parameters of HiSorb were evaluated in terms of probe coating, extraction time, stirring speed, sample volume, extraction temperature and salt addition. Under optimal extraction conditions, it was observed that the use of the divinylbenzene/carbon wide range/polydimethylsiloxane (DVB/CWR/PDMS) triple coating for HiSorb and DVB/Carboxen (CAR)/PDMS for SPME, was best suited to extract a broader range of VOCs with higher peak intensities. A total of 34 VOCs were extracted and determined with the DVB/CWR/PDMS HiSorb probe, while only 23 VOCs were determined with the conventional DVB/CAR/PDMS SPME fiber. The DVB/CWR/PDMS HiSorb probe has a higher adsorbent capacity which results in a higher sensitivity for VOCs compared to the DVB/CAR/PDMS SPME fiber. Furthermore, the HiSorb technique exhibits better reproducibility, as indicated by the lower relative standard deviation (RSD) of 3.7% compared to 7.1% for SPME. Therefore, the HiSorb technique is an effective method for detecting VOCs in complex matrices, such as wastewater.

Lactic acid bacteria viability in different refrigerated food matrices: a systematic review and Meta‑analysis

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine which variables affect the viability of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) added to different types of refrigerated foods during the first 28 days. Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed and Cochrane Central Register of Reviews databases were searched from 1997 to April 2022. A total of 278 studies, which showed randomized and controlled experiments published in peer reviewed journals, were included. The viability of LAB in different moments during the storage process was synthesized as mean point estimate (MPE) via random-effects meta-analyses and the effect of multiple factors on the LAB´s viability was evaluated by multiple meta-regression. The meta-analysis showed that the decrease in LAB viability will be more abrupt the greater the initial dose. The physical structure of food may influence bacterial viability. Fruit was the type of product that most quickly lost viability. Co-culture of two or more species did not affect viability. Preservation methods had an unfavorable effect and prebiotics had a beneficial effect on bacterial viability. Viability was genus dependent. The data obtained in this study provide an overview of the factors to be taken into account for the design of new foods.

Novel Functional Grape Juices Fortified with Free or Immobilized Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus OLXAL-1

During the last decade, a rising interest in novel functional products containing probiotic microorganisms has been witnessed. As food processing and storage usually lead to a reduction of cell viability, freeze-dried cultures and immobilization are usually recommended in order to maintain adequate loads and deliver health benefits. In this study, freeze-dried (free and immobilized on apple pieces) Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus OLXAL-1 cells were used to fortify grape juice. Juice storage at ambient temperature resulted in significantly higher (>7 log cfu/g) levels of immobilized L. rhamnosus cells compared to free cells after 4 days. On the other hand, refrigerated storage resulted in cell loads > 7 log cfu/g for both free and immobilized cells for up to 10 days, achieving populations > 109 cfu per share, with no spoilage noticed. The possible resistance of the novel fortified juice products to microbial spoilage (after deliberate spiking with Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Aspergillus niger) was also investigated. Significant growth limitation of both food-spoilage microorganisms was observed (both at 20 and 4 °C) when immobilized cells were contained compared to the unfortified juice. Keynote volatile compounds derived from the juice and the immobilization carrier were detected in all products by HS-SPME GC/MS analysis. PCA revealed that both the nature of the freeze-dried cells (free or immobilized), as well as storage temperature affected significantly the content of minor volatiles detected and resulted in significant differences in the total volatile concentration. Juices with freeze-dried immobilized cells were distinguished by the tasters and perceived as highly novel. Notably, all fortified juice products were accepted during the preliminary sensory evaluation.

Positive effects of thermosonication in Jamun fruit dairy dessert processing

The effects of thermosonication processing (TS, 90 °C, ultrasound powers of 200, 400, and 600 W) on the quality parameters of Jamun fruit dairy dessert compared to conventional heating processing (high-temperature short time, (HTST), 90 °C/20 s) were evaluated. Microbiological inactivation and stability, rheological parameters, physical properties, volatile and fatty acid profiles, and bioactive compounds were assessed. TS provided more significant microbial inactivation (1 log CFU mL-1) and higher microbial stability during storage (21 days) than HTST, with 3, 2, and 2.8 log CFU mL-1 lower counts for yeasts and molds, aerobic mesophilic bacteria, and lactic acid bacteria, respectively. In addition, TS-treated samples showed higher anti-hypertensive (>39%), antioxidant (>33%), and anti-diabetic (>27%) activities, a higher concentration of phenolic compounds (>22%), preservation of anthocyanins, and better digestibility due to the smaller fat droplet size (observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy). Furthermore, lower TS powers (200 W) improved the fatty acid (higher monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid contents, 52.78 and 132.24%) and volatile (higher number of terpenes, n = 5) profiles and decreased the atherogenic index. On the other hand, higher TS powers (600 W) maintained the rheological parameters of the control product and contributed more significantly to the functional properties of the products (antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, and anti-diabetic). In conclusion, TS proved to be efficient in treating Jamun fruit dairy dessert, opening space for new studies to define process parameters and expand TS application in other food matrices.

Application of Enterococcus malodoratus SJC25 for the Manufacture of Whey-Based Beverage Naturally Enriched with GABA

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is used as a dietary supplement because of its health-promoting properties. However, concern over the use of synthetic products has increased the demand for foods that are naturally fortified with GABA. In addition, excess whey is a major concern for the dairy industry due to the high cost of treating it. Here, we report the use of a novel Enterococcus malodoratus strain isolated from cheese to produce sweet whey beverages naturally enriched with GABA. After the screening of cheese isolates, E. malodoratus strains were identified as high GABA producers. One beverage was prepared from pasteurized sweet whey enriched in glutamic acid and E. malodoratus SJC25. The fermented beverages were supplemented with a fruit preparation and subjected to chemical, microbiological and sensory analysis. The bacterial counts and GABA content were maintained until storage at 4 °C for 14 days. High conversion rates of glutamic acid to GABA (50–71%) were obtained in the beverages. The GABA content in whey-based beverages reached 250–300 mg/100 mL, which is equivalent to the content of commercially available GABA supplements. The beverages received a positive rating (4/5) by the taste panel. To our knowledge, this is the first report on E. malodoratus as a potential GABA producer.

Microbiological and Chemical Properties of Chokeberry Juice Fermented by Novel Lactic Acid Bacteria with Potential Probiotic Properties during Fermentation at 4 °C for 4 Weeks

On the frame of this research survey, a novel potentially probiotic strain (Lactobacillus paracasei SP5) recently isolated from kefir grains was evaluated for chokeberry juice fermentation. Chokeberry juice was retrieved from the variety Aronia melanocarpa, a plant known to provide small, dark berries and to be one of the richest sources of antioxidants. The juice was subsequently fermented inoculating L. paracasei SP5 for 48 h at 30 °C. The fermented juices were left at 4 °C and tested regarding microbiological and physicochemical characteristics for 4 weeks. The potentially probiotic strain was proved capable of performing lactic acid fermentation at 30 °C. Cell viability of L. paracasei was detected in high levels during fermentation and the whole storage period, while the fermented juice showed higher levels of viability in juice with 40.3 g/L of initial sugar concentration. No ethanol was detected in the final fermented juice. Fermented chokeberry juice was characterized by aromatic desirable volatiles, which were retained in adequate levels for the whole storage period. Specifically, the occurrence of organic esters detected in fermented juices is considered as positive evidence of the provision of fruity and floral notes to the final product. During storage, total phenolics content and antioxidant activity were observed in higher levels in fermented chokeberry juice compared with non-fermented juice. Subsequently, fermentation of chokeberry juice by potentially probiotic lactic acid bacteria could provide high industrialization potential, providing the market with a nutritional beverage of good volatile quality with an enhanced shelf-life compared with an unfermented fresh juice.

Refining Citrus Wastes: From Discarded Oranges to Efficient Brewing Biocatalyst, Aromatic Beer, and Alternative Yeast Extract Production

Agro-industrial wastes can be valorized as biorefinery raw materials through innovative, environmentally friendly bioprocessing for added value products. In this study, a process for citrus waste valorization within the biorefinery concept is proposed, including the development of an effective biocatalyst, based on immobilized cells, for aromatic beer production, and an alternative yeast extract (AYE) production in the same unit. Specifically, orange pulp from discarded oranges was applied as an immobilization carrier of the alcohol-resistant and cryotolerant yeast strain S. cerevisiae AXAZ-1. The yeast culture was produced by minor nutrient supplementation using diluted molasses as substrate. An effective Citrus Waste Brewing Biocatalyst (CWBB) was produced and applied for beer fermentation. The aroma-related compounds in beer produced with free yeast cells or the CWBB were evaluated by solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The analysis showed that the beers produced by the CWBB had a more complex volatile profile compared with beer fermented by the free cells. More specifically, the CWBB enhanced the formation of esters and terpenes by 5- and 27-fold, respectively. In the frame of the proposed multiprocessing biorefinery concept, the spent CWBB, after it has completed its cycle of brewing batches, was used as substrate for AYE production through autolysis. The produced AYE significantly affected the yeast growth when compared to commercial yeast extract (CYE). More specifically, it promoted the biomass productivity and biomass yield factor by 60–150% and 110–170%, respectively. Thus, AYE could be successfully used for industrial cell growth as an efficient and cheaper substitute of CYE. Within a circular economy framework, the present study highlights the potential use of citrus waste to produce aromatic beer combined with AYE production as an alternative way to valorize these wastes.

Growth conditions and survival kinetics during storage of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG for the design of a sustainable probiotic whey-based beverage containing Costa Rican guava fruit pulp

The finding of economical and practical applications for milk whey is still a challenge for dairy industries. This paper presents information about the development of a probiotic-prebiotic beverage based on Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and Costa Rican guava (CRG) fruit pulp with industrial potential. First, a supplemented whey media was developed for LGG growth, and the whey-supplemented media was used for fermentation in bioreactors. LGG reached a maximum growth rate of 0.32 hr^-1 after 48 hr of fermentation. The whey-grown probiotics were then mixed with CRG pulp to produce the probiotic-prebiotic beverage. The survival kinetics of LGG in the formulated drink was not affected by the addition of CRG pulp (P > 0.05), and the shelf-life of the inoculated beverage surpassed 40 days with a minimum population of 10⁶ colony forming units (CFU)/mL. Properties as pH, fructose, glucose, sucrose, and proanthocyanidins (PACs) content exhibited a significant difference after storage time (P < 0.05). Finally, three different formulas of the beverage with different whey content were compared through sensory evaluation. The prototype with 50% whey content was one of the most valuable beverage formulas according to the organoleptic parameters, which remarks about the possibility of developing a probiotic whey-based beverage containing CRG pulp. Furthermore, this is the first report about CRG beverages as a probiotic vector. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This research focuses on the evaluation of the properties of a probiotic beverage, with a promissory industrial application using whey, as a dairy industry byproduct, combined with the pulp of the highly nutritious and subutilized Costa Rican guava (CRG) fruit.

Traditional rice beer depletes butyric acid-producing gut bacteria Faecalibacterium and Roseburia along with fecal butyrate levels in the ethnic groups of Northeast India

Ethnicity, geography, and dietary habits are known to have dominant roles in modulating the gut microbiota. Two major ethnic groups Ahom and Bodo in the north-east of India consume traditionally prepared rice beer which contains various microbes and substances that promote the growth of such microbes, known as prebiotics. This study aimed to understand the effect of traditionally prepared rice beer on gut microbiota. A total of 134 (67 from each group) volunteers including non-drinkers and drinkers from three locations were recruited. Fecal and blood samples were collected to study fecal bacterial and metabolite profiles and biochemical markers, respectively. Amplicon 16S rRNA gene sequencing (region V3-V4) by next-generation sequencing showed similar alpha and beta diversities in both the ethnic groups. However, with rice beer consumption the abundance of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Fusobacteria phyla was higher in the drinkers (p < 0.05) of Ahom whereas only Firmicutes were higher in Bodo ethnic group. At the genus level, the bacterial abundance of Faecalibacterium and Roseburia were lower in the drinkers (p < 0.05) of both communities. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the detection of fecal metabolites also revealed lower butyric acid in the feces of drinkers (p < 0.05). This study showed the effects of traditionally prepared rice beer on human gut microbiota and fecal metabolites. Further research is required to understand their effect on health.

Ready to Use Therapeutical Beverages: Focus on Functional Beverages Containing Probiotics, Prebiotics and Synbiotics

The growing global interest in functional foods containing nutrients capable of adding possible beneficial health effects is rapidly increasing both interest and consumer demand. In particular, functionalized beverages for their potential positive effect on health e.g., decreasing cholesterol level, lowering sugar, high fiber content, ability to enhance the immune system, and help digestion, have recently received special attention. Among the different beverages available on the market, probiotic dairy and non-dairy products have attracted much attention because of their affordable cost and their numerous therapeutic activities. Fermented milk and yogurt are currently worth €46 billion, with 77% of the market reported in Europe, North America, and Asia. Consumption of dairy beverages has some limitations due for example to lactose intolerance and allergy to milk proteins, thereby leading consumers to use non-dairy beverages such as fruit, grains, and vegetable juices to add probiotics to diet as well as driving the manufacturers to food matrices-based beverages containing probiotic cultures. The purpose of this review article is to evaluate the therapeutic performance and properties of dairy and non-dairy beverages in terms of probiotic, prebiotic, and synbiotic activities.

Effects of Boswellia Serrata and Whey Protein Powders on Physicochemical Properties of Pork Patties

Processed meat products are prone to oxidative damage and quality decline during storage; however, these problems can be mitigated by the proper formulation of meat productions. This study evaluated the effects of natural anti-oxidants found in Boswellia serrata (B), whey protein powder (W), and their combination on pork patties during storage, exploring changes in textural properties and lipid oxidation susceptibility. The 2% whey-added group exhibited a higher crude protein content than the untreated control group. The highest water-holding capacity and lowest cooking losses were observed in mixed-additive groups (WB₁ (2% W/0.5% B) and WB₂ (2% W/1.0% B), and the highest sensory scores for overall acceptability were obtained for WB₁. Adding B. serrata can neutralize the hardness caused by whey powder, thereby improving palatability. From 7 d (days 7), the extents of lipid oxidation, determined using 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) analysis, for the WB₁ and WB₂ groups were significantly lower than that of the control group. The WB₁ and WB₂ groups exhibited substantially suppressed total bacterial colony and Escherichia coli counts relative to the control group. Our findings suggest that the additive combination of B. serrata and whey protein powders can suppress lipid oxidation, improve storage stability, and enhance textural properties in the production of functional pork patties.