Advances in Fermented Foods and Beverages

A special issue of Fermentation (ISSN 2311-5637). This special issue belongs to the section "Fermentation for Food and Beverages".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 December 2025) | Viewed by 17413

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Department of Exact Sciences, Faculty of Horticulture, Ion Ionescu de la Brad Iasi University of Life Sciences, 3 M. Sadoveanu Alley, 700490 Iasi, Romania
Interests: chemistry and authenticity of wine; chemistry and characterization of foods bioactive compounds; authenticity of food products; recovery of bioactive compounds from food industry waste
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fermented foods and beverages have been integral to the human diet since the dawn of civilization. These products are broadly characterized by their production through controlled microbial activity and enzymatic transformations of key food components. Food fermentations are classified based on the primary metabolites and microorganisms involved, such as alcohol, carbon dioxide, lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, ammonia, and fatty acids. Alternatively, they can be categorized by the substrates used, which include meats, fish, dairy products, vegetables, soybeans and other legumes, cereals, and starchy roots, as well as grapes and various other fruits. Raw materials rich in monosaccharides, disaccharides, or starch are typically fermented by yeasts or lactic acid bacteria. Molds and Bacillus species are often utilized for starch saccharification, protein hydrolysis, or as secondary agents during ripening after the initial fermentation. The wide range of combinations between foods and microorganisms has led to the creation of thousands of unique fermented foods and beverages. Despite their historical significance and widespread appeal, the industrialization and standardization of food production over the past century have diminished the diversity of fermented products. In recent years, however, these foods have experienced a resurgence in Western diets, particularly those that value artisanal production methods. This renewed interest is driven in part by the potential health benefits associated with fermented foods.

In this Special Issue, we invite researchers to contribute to enhancing the existing literature with original research and review articles on the following topics:

  • Investigations of the historical significance of fermentation;
  • Characterizations of microbial and enzymatic processes;
  • The exploration of factors contributing to consumer preferences for traditional and health-conscious food products;
  • The development of new fermented beverages or foods;
  • Fermentation of by-products derived from food processing industries;
  • The identification and characterization of bioactive compounds released during fermentation process.

Dr. Camelia Elena Luchian
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Fermentation is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • health promotion
  • probiotics
  • bioactive peptides
  • functional foods
  • microbial fermentation
  • anticarcinogenic
  • cardiovascular disease
  • antimicrobial effect
  • lactic acid bacteria
  • nutraceuticals

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 2565 KB  
Article
Insights into the Influence of Workshop Spatial Heterogeneity on the Quality and Flavor of Strong-Flavor Daqu from a Microbial Community Perspective
by Mingyao Zou, Jia Zheng, Yinjiang Leng, Xiaohu Liang, Jie Zhou, Wenhua Tong and Dong Zhao
Fermentation 2026, 12(2), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation12020067 - 23 Jan 2026
Viewed by 641
Abstract
Daqu is the core saccharifying and fermenting starter for strong-flavor Baijiu, and its quality is strongly shaped by the workshop microenvironment. Here, mature Daqu from a newly built workshop and a long-established workshop within the same distillery were compared under identical raw materials [...] Read more.
Daqu is the core saccharifying and fermenting starter for strong-flavor Baijiu, and its quality is strongly shaped by the workshop microenvironment. Here, mature Daqu from a newly built workshop and a long-established workshop within the same distillery were compared under identical raw materials and process conditions. Physicochemical properties, volatile flavor compounds (HS-SPME-GC–MS), bacterial and fungal communities (16S/ITS sequencing), and Tax4Fun-predicted functions were jointly analyzed. The quality indicators of the Daqu in the new workshop are qualified, but the acidity (and moisture) is higher, and the fermentation, saccharification and liquefaction abilities are lower. The Daqu in the old workshop is rich in esters, the aroma is more mature, and the total ester content is about twice that of the new workshop. Both Daqu types shared similar core taxa, but the new workshop was dominated by a simpler Weissella–Thermomyces consortium, while the old workshop was enriched in Bacillus, lactic acid bacteria, Rhizomucor, Saccharomycopsis, and Wickerhamomyces. Correlation and network analyses linked these old-workshop core genera to key ethyl esters, higher alcohols and pyrazines, and Tax4Fun indicated a stronger bias toward amino acid/carbohydrate metabolism and membrane transport in the old workshop. These results show that workshop age reshapes Daqu quality by co-modulating physicochemical traits, microbial consortia and functional potential, and suggest microbial and functional targets for accelerating the “maturation” of new workshops. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fermented Foods and Beverages)
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11 pages, 406 KB  
Article
Effect of Different Types of Propolis on the Quality Characteristics of Fermented Sucuk
by Zeyneb Sadıgzade, Recep Kara and Ali Sorucu
Fermentation 2026, 12(1), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation12010046 - 13 Jan 2026
Viewed by 480
Abstract
Fermented sucuk is a fermented food product widely consumed and enjoyed by people in Türkiye. Spices and other additives are used in the production of fermented sucuk. Due to the increasing demand for natural and healthy food consumption, the need for natural additives [...] Read more.
Fermented sucuk is a fermented food product widely consumed and enjoyed by people in Türkiye. Spices and other additives are used in the production of fermented sucuk. Due to the increasing demand for natural and healthy food consumption, the need for natural additives is also growing. Propolis is naturally obtained from honeybee hives and consists of bioactive compounds with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Studies have been conducted on the addition of propolis to various meat and meat products, as well as other food products. However, no studies have been found on the addition of propolis to fermented sucuk. The aim was to investigate the effect of different types of propolis (red, green, brown) on the quality characteristics of fermented sucuks. Microbiological, physicochemical, textural and sensory analyses were performed on the sucuk samples produced. It was observed that propolis did not have an adverse effect on the analysis results of propolis-added sucuks. In particular, it was determined that the growth of pathogenic bacteria was inhibited in propolis-added sucuk, resulting in low TBARS values, and other analyses yielded results in line with these standards. Based on these findings, the addition of propolis has been shown to have a positive effect on the quality of fermented sucuk. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fermented Foods and Beverages)
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20 pages, 1589 KB  
Article
Functional Fortification of Tibicos with Lemon Catnip (Nepeta cataria var. citriodora) Hydrolate: Fermentation Kinetics, Health-Promoting Potentials and Sensory Evaluation
by Ana Tomić, Olja Šovljanski, Milica Aćimović, Luka Tucakov, Anja Vučetić, Aleksandra Ranitović, Snežana Filip, Staniša Latinović, Jasna Čanadanović-Brunet and Dragoljub Cvetković
Fermentation 2025, 11(12), 683; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation11120683 - 9 Dec 2025
Viewed by 626
Abstract
The development of plant-based synbiotic beverages is gaining increasing attention as consumers seek sustainable, functional alternatives to dairy products. This preliminary study investigated the fortification of tibicos (water kefir) with lemon catnip (Nepeta cataria var. citriodora) hydrolate, an aromatic distillation byproduct [...] Read more.
The development of plant-based synbiotic beverages is gaining increasing attention as consumers seek sustainable, functional alternatives to dairy products. This preliminary study investigated the fortification of tibicos (water kefir) with lemon catnip (Nepeta cataria var. citriodora) hydrolate, an aromatic distillation byproduct rich in bioactive terpenoids. After 72 h-fermentation of tibicos, physicochemical, microbiological, health-promoting and sensory parameters were evaluated. Both control and fortified beverages exhibited typical fermentation kinetics, including a decrease in pH, reduction of soluble solids, and accumulation of organic acids. Lactic acid bacteria count remained stable, while yeast proliferation was slightly reduced in the hydrolate-fortified sample, consistent with the known yeast-sensitive nature of certain hydrolate-derived terpenoids. Importantly, hydrolate fortification significantly enhanced antioxidant capacity (DPPH: +34%; ABTS: +39%; RP: +38%). Enzyme-inhibitory activities also increased significantly in the hydrolate-fortified samples (α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase inhibition rates increased by 9% and 11%, respectively). ACE inhibition similarly increased from 32% to 44%, indicating an enhanced antihypertensive potential. HMG-CoA reductase inhibition increased from 31% to 42%, showing improved hypolipidemic activity. Sensory evaluation indicated improved sensory acceptability, imparting citrus–floral notes that balanced the acidic profile of tibicos. These findings highlight the potential of valorizing lemon catnip hydrolate as a functional fortifier in non-dairy synbiotic beverages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fermented Foods and Beverages)
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17 pages, 2890 KB  
Article
β-Glucan from Highland Barley Spent Grain: Yield, Molecular Weight, Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidant Capacity, and Gel Characteristics
by Suyang Li, Lhundrup Namgyal, Shiyi Chen, Yong Zhou, Afira Nayab, Zhou Qin, Dawa Dondup and Ling Sun
Fermentation 2025, 11(10), 600; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation11100600 - 21 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1469
Abstract
β-Glucan from Tibetan highland barley (THB) is an excellent edible gel polysaccharide due to its unique hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities. However, direct extraction of β-glucan from THB exhibits low yields with higher costs. Given that highland barley spent grain (BSG) is a byproduct [...] Read more.
β-Glucan from Tibetan highland barley (THB) is an excellent edible gel polysaccharide due to its unique hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities. However, direct extraction of β-glucan from THB exhibits low yields with higher costs. Given that highland barley spent grain (BSG) is a byproduct of the brewing process and is frequently considered waste, the efficient extraction of its β-glucan could promote high-value repurposing of BSG. In this study, 2.74% β-glucan (BSG-B) was extracted from Rhizopus oryzae (R. oryzae)-fermented BSG, which is lower than those from THB (THB-B: 4.62%) yet enabled value-added utilization of BSG. The molecular weight of BSG-B was 5.24 × 106 Da, which significantly increased by 124.89% compared to that of THB-B. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy showed similar absorption peaks in BSG-B and THB-B, except for structural modifications in the β-glucan pyranose ring induced by the fermentation of R. oryzae. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) indicated that BSG-B possesses a more compact structure and lower aggregation heights compared to THB-B. Moreover, BSG-B demonstrated superior antioxidant capacities to THB-B in NO/DPPH/ABTS/reducing power assays, and lower apparent viscosity and oil adsorption capacity, likely attributed to the fermentation of R. oryzae. This study establishes a foundation for extracting higher-molecular-weight antioxidant β-glucan from BSG. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fermented Foods and Beverages)
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21 pages, 1575 KB  
Article
Non-Thermal UV-C Processing as an Alternative to Pasteurisation in Fermented Dairy Beverages: Ayran and Kefir
by Azize Atik
Fermentation 2025, 11(10), 557; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation11100557 - 27 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1339
Abstract
This study investigated the microbiological, physicochemical, textural, and sensory characteristics of ayran and kefir samples produced from milk treated with different doses of UV-C radiation. For this purpose, raw milk was passed through a UV-C column at three different flow rates (15, 30, [...] Read more.
This study investigated the microbiological, physicochemical, textural, and sensory characteristics of ayran and kefir samples produced from milk treated with different doses of UV-C radiation. For this purpose, raw milk was passed through a UV-C column at three different flow rates (15, 30, and 45 mL/min), and irradiated with doses of 72, 36, and 24 J/mL, respectively, corresponding to the flow rate. Samples produced from milk pasteurised by thermal treatment were used as the control group. This research indicated that UV-C treatment effectively reduced the microbial load in milk to a level comparable to that achieved through conventional pasteurisation. A reduction of 2.15 log cfu/mL in total aerobic mesophilic bacteria count was achieved, while total coliform group bacteria counts were decreased to an undetectable level. Samples produced from milk treated with UV-C showed lower pH and higher titration acidity (% lactic acid). Furthermore, the organic acid content was higher in these samples. Lactic acid, the main organic acid, levels in the ayran and kefir samples were measured at their highest as 11,951.51 mg/kg and 12,989.34 mg/kg, respectively, in the UV45 sample with a radiation dose of 24 J/mL. The treatment of UV-C resulted in a minor change in the colour and textural properties of the samples. Nonetheless, this change was not significant enough to influence consumer acceptance. The application of UV-C to raw milk, depending on the radiation level used, can enhance the fermentation process in the production of ayran and kefir. This study showed that the application of UV-C has improved the quality of drinkable fermented milk products. This research has shown that, while reducing nutritional losses caused by thermal processing, microbial safety is obtained at an approximate value similar to pasteurisation. As a result, UV-C application decreases the loss of dietary compounds and provides an alternative method for microbial inactivation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fermented Foods and Beverages)
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28 pages, 1598 KB  
Article
Development of Antimicrobial and Antioxidative Chicken Patties Using Liquid-Fermented Ganoderma lucidum and Pleurotus djamor Fruiting Body Biomass
by Nur Asyiqin Zahia-Azizan, Chong Shin Yee, Muhammad Ameer Ushidee-Radzi, Zul Ilham, Muhamad Hafiz Abd Rahim, Siva Raseetha, Nazimah Hamid, Adi Ainurzaman Jamaludin and Wan Abd Al Qadr Imad Wan-Mohtar
Fermentation 2025, 11(7), 393; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation11070393 - 9 Jul 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2666
Abstract
Medicinal mushroom production utilising rural cultivation (solid state fermentation) requires approximately six months compared to culinary mushroom production (7 days). Urban cultivation (submerged liquid fermentation) can be used as a sustainable method of producing medicinal mushroom biomass. In this study, chicken patties were [...] Read more.
Medicinal mushroom production utilising rural cultivation (solid state fermentation) requires approximately six months compared to culinary mushroom production (7 days). Urban cultivation (submerged liquid fermentation) can be used as a sustainable method of producing medicinal mushroom biomass. In this study, chicken patties were fortified with liquid-fermented Ganoderma lucidum flour (GLF) and Pleurotus djamor mushroom biomass flour (PDF) at concentrations of 3%, 6%, and 9%. These were compared to a negative control (0% mushroom flour chicken patty) and a commercial patty. Chicken patties fortified with 3% PDF and 9% GLF recorded the lowest cooking loss, at 5.55% and 10.3%, respectively. Mushroom chicken patties exhibited lower cooking losses and significant changes in colour and texture compared to control samples. Notably, 3% GLF chicken patty achieved the highest overall acceptability score of 6.55 followed by 9% PDF chicken patty (6.08) (p < 0.05). Biomass flour of liquid-fermented Ganoderma lucidum (ENS-GL) and Pleurotus djamor (ENS-PD) were extracted for their endopolysaccharide and analysed for their functional properties. All elemental, FT-IR, and NMR spectroscopy analyses revealed the existence of a comparable beta-glucan polymer structure, linkages, and absorptions when compared to the Laminarin standard. In addition, ENS-GL also proved to possess higher antimicrobial activities and significant antioxidant levels (DPPH-scavenging activity, ferric reduction potential and total phenolic content) compared to ENS-PD. Overall, this study revealed that sustainable liquid-fermented Ganoderma lucidum, a medicinal mushroom, outperformed Pleurotus djamor, a culinary mushroom, as a potential alternative flour for combating hunger in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fermented Foods and Beverages)
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29 pages, 3353 KB  
Article
A Comparative Study of the Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Properties of Fermented Camel (Camelus dromedarius) and Gir Cow (Bos primigenius indicus) Milk and the Production of Bioactive Peptides via In Vitro and In Silico Studies
by Brijesh Bhuva, Bethsheba Basaiawmoit, Amar A. Sakure, Pooja M. Mankad, Anita Rawat, Mahendra Bishnoi, Kanthi Kiran Kondepudi, Ashish Patel, Preetam Sarkar and Subrota Hati
Fermentation 2025, 11(7), 391; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation11070391 - 8 Jul 2025
Viewed by 3885
Abstract
In this study, camel milk (CM) and Gir cow milk (GCM) were fermented through cofermentation via yeast–lactic cultures, i.e., Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (M9, MTCC 25516) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (WBS2A, MG101828), and their antioxidant and antidiabetic effectiveness were studied. To optimize the growth conditions, the [...] Read more.
In this study, camel milk (CM) and Gir cow milk (GCM) were fermented through cofermentation via yeast–lactic cultures, i.e., Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (M9, MTCC 25516) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (WBS2A, MG101828), and their antioxidant and antidiabetic effectiveness were studied. To optimize the growth conditions, the level of proteolysis was evaluated by exploring various inoculation levels (1.5, 2.0 and 2.5%) as well as incubation durations (0, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h). Peptides were extracted and purified through 2D gel electrophoresis as well as SDS–PAGE. Water-soluble extracts (WSEs) of ultrafiltered (UF) peptide fractions were evaluated via reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) to identify the peptide segments. By applying the Peakview tool, peptide sequences obtained from liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC/MS) were reviewed by comparison with those in the BIOPEP database. Furthermore, the elevated levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and nitric oxide (NO) in RAW 267.4 cells treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are considerably lower than those in cultured CM and GCM. Protein macromolecules in CMs and GCMs have been captured via confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy both before and after fermentation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fermented Foods and Beverages)
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Review

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22 pages, 4300 KB  
Review
Advancing Sparkling Wine in the 21st Century: From Traditional Methods to Modern Innovations and Market Trends
by Camelia Elena Luchian, Dragoș Grosaru, Elena Cristina Scutarașu, Lucia Cintia Colibaba, Andrei Scutarașu and Valeriu V. Cotea
Fermentation 2025, 11(4), 174; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation11040174 - 26 Mar 2025
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5096
Abstract
Sparkling wine production has changed over time due to ongoing technological developments and market adjustments. This study provides an overview of the historical context, the characteristics of raw materials and base wine, modern technologies and current trends in the sparkling wine market. Important [...] Read more.
Sparkling wine production has changed over time due to ongoing technological developments and market adjustments. This study provides an overview of the historical context, the characteristics of raw materials and base wine, modern technologies and current trends in the sparkling wine market. Important scientific advances with potential for wide-scale applicability are highlighted, such as the investigation of unconventional grape types, the progress of winemaking methods and the effects of compositional changes on quality and sensory characteristics. In addition, the nutritional effects of bioactive components in wine are discussed. Market trends indicate a growing global demand for sparkling wines over time, driven by changing consumer preferences and the diversification of wine-producing areas. Future prospects focus on sustainability, low-alcohol alternatives and the integration of emerging technologies. Combining tradition with innovation, the sparkling wine industry continues to expand, offering new opportunities to both producers and consumers. Research on the quality of sparkling wines in the context of climate change and evolving consumer preferences is still limited and warrants greater attention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fermented Foods and Beverages)
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