Effect of fermentation media and time on physicochemical and sensory properties of soybean powders

Fermentation improves quality of food, and is exploited in processing soymilk powder. Unfortunately, there is no unified fermentation procedure for producing powdered soymilk in Nigeria. A fermentation condition to produce high nutritional and most acceptable powdered soymilk is ideal for Nigerians. This study evaluated the effect fermentation media and time on physicochemical and sensory properties of powdered soymilk. Seven batches (600 g each) of soybean seeds were fermented, the first three in neutral water, sample A for 4 h, B for 16 h in the same water, and C for 16 h but changing the water every 4 h. The next two were fermented in alkaline solution for 16 h, D in the same water, and E with changing the water every 4 h. The last two were fermented for 16 h in acidic solution, Fin the same solution and G with changing the water every 4 h. The beans were processed into cooked soy flour and analyzed for physicochemical and sensory properties. Fermentation enhanced better quality than soaking; fermentation time and medium pH significantly (p < 0.05) induced variations in quality of the powder. Soaking produced soy powder with highest carbohydrate (44.47 %) and fibre (1.355%) but significantly (p < 0.05) low in protein, minerals and crude fat. Continuous 16-h fermentation in the same medium produced soy powders with lowestphytochemical contents. Soaked (4 h) soybean in neutral water (A) produced powder with 39.50% protein, 44.47% carbohydrates, 1.35% fibre, 5.58% fat and 2.75% ash while continuous fermentation for 16 h in the same water produced powder (B) with 42.47% protein, 41.71% carbohydrate, 1.22% fibre, 5.81% fat and 2.42% ash. Continuous 16-h fermentation was better than changing the medium; and neutral medium was better than acidic and alkaline medium. All the soy powder high sensory scores (≥ 5) and were acceptable to the panelists. Thus, 16-h continuous fermentation in neutral medium was more cost effective and produced soybean powder of better quality than fermenting in alkaline and acidic media. Key words: fermentation time, quality, soaking media, soybean powders

Intake of Commercially Produced Fermented Soy Powder Q CAN PLUS® Favorably Changes Cholesterol and Isoflavone Intake in Individuals at High Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Objectives Q CAN PLUS® is a fermented soy powder currently marketed in the US as a food product. We conducted a feeding trial to examine the effects of Q CAN PLUS® on the nutrient composition of the habitual diets of individuals at high risk of cardiovascular diseases. We hypothesized that the nutrient profile, particularly nutrients associated with CVD risk, differs among individuals in the Q CAN PLUS® phase compared to the placebo phase. Methods Study design was a randomized, controlled crossover intervention with twenty-four free living adults (29–75 years old; 80% female; 8% normal BMI, 45% overweight, 47% obese) at high risk of cardiovascular diseases. Subjects were randomized to receive either Q CAN PLUS® (fermented soy) powder or placebo powder for twelve weeks and switched over to the placebo treatment after two weeks of wash out period. Two 24-hour dietary recalls were collected during each phase which included one weekday and one weekend dietary recall. The nutrient consumption per day (mean ± SD) were based on a synthetic week by using the following formula: ((weekday * 5) +(weekday * 2))/7. Results On average, intake of cholesterol (211 ± 169 mg) was 13% lower (P = 0.05) in the Q CAN PLUS® phase compared to placebo (243 ± 179 mg). Total soy isoflavones (444 ± 210 mg) was 12 times higher (P &lt; 0.0001) during Q CAN PLUS® phase than the placebo phase (33 ± 93 mg). Dietary total carbohydrate, total protein, vegetable protein, animal protein during Q CAN PLUS® phase were not statistically different from placebo phase. Conclusions The differences in the intake of cholesterol and total soy isoflavones may have implications on risk of cardiovascular diseases. Funding Sources BESO Biological Research Inc Diamond Bar, CA, USA.

The Effect of a Fermented Soy-Based Dietary Food Product on Blood Lipids in Individuals at High Risk for Cardiovascular Disease

Objectives Previous reports indicate that intake of some soy products may be associated with improvements in blood lipids but few studies examined fermented soy foods. Q CAN PLUS® is a functional food product derived from fermented soybeans. To evaluate the effects of fermented soy on cardiovascular risk factors, we implemented a clinical trial to compare the effects of the fermented soy powder (Q CAN PLUS®) against a placebo (sprouted brown rice powder) in individuals at risk for cardiovascular diseases. Methods Twenty-seven adults at risk for cardiovascular diseases (29–75 years old; 78% female; mean BMI [32.3 kg/m2 ± 7.3]) were randomized to consume either 2 pouches (12–15 g powder/pouch) per day of fermented soy powder (Q CAN PLUS®), or a sprouted brown rice powder for 12 weeks each, in a crossover design trial. The intervention phases were separated by a two week wash out period. Measurements and biospecimens were taken at baseline and at weeks 11 and 12 of each phase. Assessment included blood lipids, blood pressure, blood glucose, blood insulin, and anthropometric measures. For each of the outcomes, a mixed model was fitted to compare changes from pre- to post-treatment and between treatments. The models included treatment, time, interaction between treatment and time, phase, visit within phase and enrollment period as fixed effects terms and subjects as random effects terms. Results Between treatment results from the mixed model analysis show that fermented soy powder intake significantly reduced serum cholesterol (mean change −8.95 mg/dL; P = 0.0024), LDL (mean change −6.96 mg/dL; P = 0.0317), and HDL (−1.29 mg/dL; P = 0.0036) compared with the sprouted brown rice powder. Within treatment results indicated that fermented soy powder significantly reduced total cholesterol (P = 0.0073) and LDL (P = 0.0132), while reductions in HDL were not statistically significant. Within treatment results were not statistically different for the placebo phase except for an increase in HDL (mean change 3.61; P = 0.0026). Conclusions These data indicate that regular intake of fermented soy powder results in a reduction in serum total and LDL cholesterol which may have beneficial implications for the reduction of cardiovascular risk factors in adults. Funding Sources BESO Biological Research Inc. Diamond Bar, CA, USA.

Rhizopus oligosporus Activity in Crude Extract and Powder Form to Reduce Aspergillus flavus and Aflatoxin Contamination in Corn

Rhizopus oligosporus (RO) in isolate culture was known to reduce contamination toxigenic mold Aspergillus flavus (AF) and aflatoxin B1 in chicken feed. Application in culture form was not effective. The aim of this research was to evaluate RO activities in extract and inoculum form to reduce contamination of AF and aflatoxin B1 in corn. RO was harvested from agar plate, blended, added with water (ratio 1:1 (w/v)) and centrifuged. Supernatant was filtered using Whatman 41. Inoculum was made by inoculation RO in soy powder and incubated at 28oC for 5 days. Inoculum was dried at 40oC for 24-28 hours. Assay was conducted by addition extract or inoculum to corn. Extract and corn ratio were 1:1 (v/w), while inoculum doses were 5, 25, 50, 1000 dan 200 g/kg corn. Assay for aflatoxin B1 was done using kit ELISA aflatoxin. The result of this research showed that extract was able to reduce AF contamination up to 1 log 10, while the less concentration of inoculum which able to inhibit AF up to 6 log 10 was 100 g/kg corn. Extract RO 125 and 250 mL/kg corn was able to reduce aflatoxin contamination by 93.69 % and 85.84 %. Inoculum at dose 5 and 100 g/kg corn was able to reduce aflatoxin 57.58% and 85%. Based on the result, it could be concluded that RO in extract or inoculum form was able to reduce contamination of AF and aflatoxin B1 in corn. Rhizopus as inoculum was easier to be applied than in extract form.

Effect of Cation Influx on the Viability of Freeze-Dried Lactobacillus brevis WiKim0069

Extension of the storage stability of freeze-dried lactic acid bacteria is important for industrialization. In this study, the effect of cation influx from soy powder, which contains high amounts of cations, as a cryoprotective agent on the viability of freeze-dried Lactobacillus brevis WiKim0069 was tested. Compared to that in the absence of the soy powder, bacterial viability was significantly higher in the presence of soy powder. Approximately 4.7% of L. brevis WiKim0069 survived in the absence of the protective agent, whereas 92.8% viability was observed in the presence of soy powder. However, when cations were removed from the soy powder by using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and a cationic resin filter, the viability of L. brevis WiKim0069 decreased to 22.9–24.7%. When the soy powder was treated with ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid, the viability was higher than when it was pretreated with EDTA and a cationic resin filter, suggesting that Mg2+ had a role in enhancing the viability of L. brevis WiKim0069. Cold adaptation at 10 °C prior to freeze-drying had a positive effect on the storage stability of freeze-dried L. brevis WiKim0069, with 60.6% viability after 56 days of storage. A decrease in the fluorescence polarization value indicated an increase in membrane fluidity, which regulates the activity of ion channels present in the cell membrane. Cold adaptation caused activation of the cation channels, resulting in increased intracellular influx of cations, i.e., Ca2+ and Mg2+. These results suggest that cold adaptation can be used to improve the storage stability of L. brevis WiKim0069.