Effect of different starter cultures on chemical and microbial parameters of buckwheat honey fermentation.

The aim of this study was to analyze the microbiology of buckwheat honey fermentation inoculated with different starter cultures by culturing and PCR-DGGE, taking as a model for comparison a spontaneously fermented batch. The inoculants tested were (i) cider lees (from a cider factory), (ii) sourdough (from a bakery), and (iii) a commercial Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain. The results of the culturing and culture-independent techniques agreed well and detected the same dominant species along the fermentations. Our results suggest that S. cerevisiae strains, which constituted a majority population in all batches including the uninoculated one, carried out the fermentations. The highest microbial diversity was found at the beginning of the fermentation in the uninoculated batch; this contained in addition to S. cerevisiae bacteria (Paracoccus sp., Staphylococcus sp., and Bacillus sp.) and yeast (Candida sp.) species. Candida sp. was also common in batches inoculated with sourdough and cider lees cultures. Lactobacillus species were found throughout the fermentation of the sourdough-inoculated batch. Basic chemical analysis and testing trials demonstrated that the overall sensory acceptance of the four meads were highly similar. Yeast and bacteria isolated in this study could serve as a source of technologically relevant microorganisms for mead production.

Lactobionic acid production by glucose-fructose oxidoreductase from Zymomonas mobilis expressed in Escherichia coli.

OBJECTIVES: To use the glucose-fructose oxidoreductase (GFOR) from Zymomonas mobilis and expressed in Escherichia coli for lactobionic acid production by conversion of lactose from whey. RESULTS: The highest concentrations of lactobionic acid (3.2 mg ml(-1)) during oxidation of whey-derived lactose by E. coli was at 24 h. Introduction of GFOR gene from Z. mobilis, into E. coli improved enzyme yields compared to what is obtainable by fermentation of the donor strain. The production of lactobionic acid by E. coli was 2.6-times higher than by Z. mobilis. CONCLUSIONS: Recombinants of E. coli overexpressing the GFOR gene from Z. mobilis produced higher amount of lactobionoic acid from whey-derived lactose.

The utilization of Pseudomonas taetrolens to produce lactobionic acid.

Lactobionic acid is a relatively new product derived from lactose oxidation, with high potential applications as a bioactive compound. Conducted experiments confirmed that both the time and temperature influenced the production of lactobionic acid during bioconversion of lactose using the Pseudomonas taetrolens bacteria. The study also investigated the effect of inoculum concentration on the production of lactobionic acid as a result of oxidation of whey-derived lactose. The highest concentration of lactobionic acid during oxidation of whey-derived lactose at a temperature of 30 °C by microorganisms. P. taetrolens was obtained during 50-h oxidation of the medium, which contained 25 % addition of the inoculum, in which the count of live cells was 2.85 × 10(9) CFU/ml.

Bioconversion of grape and chokeberry wine polyphenols during simulated gastrointestinal in vitro digestion.

The primary objective of the present study was to assess the qualitative and quantitative changes of wine polyphenols during in vitro digestion process conducted in a gastrointestinal tract model. Wines selected for these experiments were red grape, white grape and chokeberry wines. Following the stages of in vitro digestion-stomach, small and large intestine-qualitative and quantitative changes particularly in phenolic acids were monitored. Decomposition of resveratrol and chlorogenic acid, secretion of caffeic acid and formation of other derivatives characterized with high antioxidant activity were determined. As a second focus of this work the evaluation of interactions between human fecal microflora (Enterobacteriaceae, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus and Bifidobacterium) and polyphenolic compounds and their derivatives secreted during the digestion were performed.

Reduction of water consumption in bioethanol production from triticale by recycling the stillage liquid phase.

BACKGROUND: The distillery stillage is a major and arduous byproduct generated during ethanol production in distilleries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of the stillage recirculation in the mashing process of triticale for non-byproducts production and reducing the fresh water consumption. The number of recirculation cycles which can be applied without disturbances in the ethanol fermentation process was investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Winter triticale BOGO and "Ethanol Red" Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast were used in the experiments. The method of non-pressure cooking was used for gelatinizingthe triticale, commercial α-amylase SPEZYME ETHYL and glucoamylase FERMENZYME L-400 were applied for starch liquefaction and saccharification. The process was conducted at 30°C for 72 h, next after distillation the stillage was centrifuged and the liquid fraction was used instead of 75% of process water. RESULTS: Ethanol yield from triticale fermentations during 40 cycles ranged between 82% and 95% of theoretical yield preserving yeast vitality and quantity on the same level. The obtained distillates were characterized with enhanced volatile compounds (fusel oil, esters, aldehydes, methanol) as well as protein and potassium concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: The liquid part of stillage was proved that can be reused instead of water in bioethanol production from triticale, without disturbing the fermentation process. This investigated solution of distillery byproducts utilization (liquid phase of stillage) constitutes the way which could significantly decrease the bioethanol production costs by reducing the water consumption, as well as wastewater production.

The kinetics of nicotine degradation, enzyme activities and genotoxic potential in the characterization of tobacco waste composting.

This study aimed to determine nicotine biodegradation and the genotoxic potential of nicotine and its degradation products during the process of tobacco waste composting. Composting was carried out using two methods, i.e. the addition of 20% (bioreactor A) or 40% tobacco wastes to sewage sludge (bioreactor B) and control--sewage sludge (bioreactor C). Wheat straw was used as a structure-forming material. As a result of composting the contents of C and N in the bioreactors changed, the C:N ratio in bioreactor A changed from 22.8 to 13.00, and that in bioreactor B changed from 23.5 to 12.00. After composting, the biodegradation rate of nicotine was 78% in bioreactor A and 80% in bioreactor B, respectively. Using the Ames test it was shown that the composts produced did not exhibit mutagenicity.

Influence of microencapsulation and spray drying on the viability of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains.

Improved production methods of starter cultures, which constitute the most important element of probiotic preparations, were investigated. The aim of the presented research was to analyse changes in the viability of Lactobacillus. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum after stabilization (spray drying, liophilization, fluidization drying) and storage in refrigerated conditions for 4 months. The highest numbers of live cells, up to the fourth month of storage in refrigerated conditions, of the order of 10(7) cfu/g preparation were recorded for the B. bifidum DSM 20239 bacteria in which the N-Tack starch for spray drying was applied. Fluidization drying of encapsulated bacteria allowed obtaining a preparation of the comparable number of live bacterial cells up to the fourth month of storage with those encapsulated bacteria, which were subjected to freeze-drying but the former process was much shorter. The highest survivability of the encapsulated L. acidophilus DSM 20079 and B. bifidum DSM 20239 cells subjected to freeze-drying was obtained using skimmed milk as the cryoprotective substance. Stabilization of bacteria by microencapsulation can give a product easy to store and apply to produce dried food composition.

Use of Zymomonas mobilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae mixed with Kluyveromyces fragilis for improved ethanol production from Jerusalem artichoke tubers.

Jerusalem artichoke mashed tubers were fermented using single yeasts and a bacterium as well as mixed culture of microorganisms. Kluyveromyces fragilis, a yeast with an active inulinase, was used together with either a commercial distillery yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or the bacterium Zymomonas mobilis. After batch fermentation the best ethanol concentration of 0.48 g g(-1) for the mixed population and 0.46 g g(-1) for the single population can be obtained. The theoretical yield of the mixed cultures was 2-12% higher than for the single microorganism.