Boosting Pickle Flavor with Special Bacteria

Jenn Hoskins
20th April, 2024

Boosting Pickle Flavor with Special Bacteria

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Study conducted at Ege University found probiotics can survive in pickles using microencapsulation
  • Encapsulated probiotics remained viable in pickles for at least four weeks, supporting gut health
  • Probiotic pickles maintained taste and quality, making them appealing to consumers
Probiotics, the beneficial bacteria that support our gut health, have been gaining attention not just in dairy products but also in other fermented foods like pickles. A new study by researchers at Ege University[1] has made a significant leap in this area by producing cucumber pickles with probiotic cultures that could survive the acidic environment of pickling and maintain their health benefits over time. The study focused on two specific strains of probiotic bacteria: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HL4 and Pediococcus parvulus HL14. These were not only added freely to the pickles but also encapsulated in sodium alginate, a substance derived from seaweed, and inulin, a type of dietary fiber that also acts as a prebiotic, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria. Encapsulation is a process that helps protect probiotics from harsh environments, such as the acidity in pickles, thereby improving their survival rate. Previous research has shown that encapsulation can enhance the viability of probiotics in various conditions[2]. In the context of pickled vegetables, selecting the right probiotic strains is crucial, as they must withstand the acidic environment created by lactic and acetic acids[3]. The current study built upon these insights by not only choosing robust probiotic strains but also employing microencapsulation to further ensure their survivability. The researchers found that the encapsulation was highly efficient, with over 94% of the probiotics successfully encapsulated. During the fermentation and subsequent storage of the pickles, the encapsulated probiotics showed a remarkable ability to survive, maintaining a count of over 6 log CFU/g until the fourth week of storage. This is significant because a higher number of live probiotic cells may be more beneficial for gut health. The study also examined the impact of fermentation on the physical and chemical properties of the pickles. It was observed that the pH and total acidity of the pickles fluctuated within expected ranges, which are indicative of a normal fermentation process. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content—measures of the health-promoting potential of the pickles—varied across the samples but remained within ranges that suggest the pickles could offer health benefits. Sensory properties, such as taste and texture, are also essential for consumer acceptance. The pickles containing each strain of probiotics received high scores in sensory evaluations, suggesting that incorporating these health-promoting bacteria did not compromise the pickles' taste or overall appeal. This study not only shows that microencapsulation can be a successful strategy for maintaining probiotic viability in acidic foods but also that such foods can be both healthful and palatable. It expands on the understanding of probiotic applications in food science, demonstrating that it's possible to create fermented vegetable products that can serve as carriers for beneficial probiotics. The implications for the food industry are significant. With growing consumer interest in functional foods that offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition, the ability to create probiotic-rich pickles that maintain their sensory and health qualities throughout storage is a substantial advancement. Food companies can leverage this research to innovate and cater to health-conscious consumers. Moreover, the findings from this study may inspire further research into the use of microencapsulation for probiotics in various food matrices, potentially leading to a broader range of probiotic-enriched foods. This could be particularly relevant for individuals seeking non-dairy sources of probiotics, such as vegans or those with lactose intolerance. In conclusion, the Ege University study has provided valuable insights into the production of probiotic-enriched pickles with enhanced survivability and desirable sensory attributes. By building on earlier research[2][3], this work paves the way for new food products that can help consumers easily incorporate probiotics into their diets, potentially improving gut health and overall well-being.

NutritionBiotechPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) The Use of both Free and Microencapsulated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Pediococcus parvulus in Cucumber Pickles

Published 18th April, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947-024-03400-5

Related Studies

2) Effect of lecithin and starch on alginate-encapsulated probiotic bacteria.

https://doi.org/10.3109/02652040902982183

3) Survival and Growth of Probiotic Lactic Acid Bacteria in Refrigerated Pickle Products.

https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.13579


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