Fermentation as Tool for Enhancing the Bioactivity and Healthy Benefits of Food Products (2nd Edition)

A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Biotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 383

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Food Technology Department, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA-CSIC), Carretera de La Coruña Km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: phytoestrogens; genetic engineering; lactic acid bacteria; bioactive compounds
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, public concern regarding health has increased. Taking into account that it is expected that more than 35% of the world population will be 65 years old or older in 2050, consumers demand foods that, apart from their nutritional properties, provide them with health benefits. In this sense, recent innovative trends of consumers include a growing demand for fermented and easily digestible foods that contain probiotics as well as prebiotics aimed at better gastrointestinal health. This includes naturally functional foods, such as those that contain bioactive ingredients with high bioavailability that come from vegetable-based foods, or revaluating industrial food by-products with the aim of contributing to the sustainability of the food system. In addition, demands for foods that play a fundamental role in our mental system and mental health is striking. Due to the recent description of the intestinal–brain axis, it has been shown that foods that protect the intestinal microbiota are capable of alleviating symptoms of diseases such as depression and anxiety, as well as others such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, etc. In short, the food demands of consumers are directed towards the development of fermented foods capable of not only improving the quality and safety of food but also providing in healthy properties to the consumer. Hence, the main topic of this Special Issue focuses on the application of fermentation processes in any foods, using any technological microorganism, and processes that exclusively involve enzymes of microbial origin that are capable of producing, improving, and increasing the availability of various compounds whose presence in food may lead to improving the health of consumers—including the description of new probiotics. Short communications, original articles, and reviews are welcome.

Dr. Jose Antonio Curiel
Dr. José María Landete
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • fermentation
  • lactic acid bacteria
  • yeast
  • fungi
  • recombinant enzymes
  • probiotic
  • prebiotic
  • polyphenols
  • food by-product valorization
  • bioactive peptides
  • antioxidant
  • anti-hypertensive
  • anti-carcinogenic
  • antimicrobial
  • anti-aging
  • food and beverages
  • nutraceuticals

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

29 pages, 1430 KiB  
Review
β-Glucosidase Activity of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum: A Key Player in Food Fermentation and Human Health
by Gianluca Paventi, Catello Di Martino, Francesca Coppola and Massimo Iorizzo
Foods 2025, 14(9), 1451; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14091451 - 22 Apr 2025
Viewed by 239
Abstract
β-glucosidases are a relevant class of enzymes in the food industry due to their role in hydrolyzing different types of glycosidic bonds. This activity allows for formation of volatile compounds and release of bioactive aglycone compounds. In addition to endogenous β-glucosidase activity present [...] Read more.
β-glucosidases are a relevant class of enzymes in the food industry due to their role in hydrolyzing different types of glycosidic bonds. This activity allows for formation of volatile compounds and release of bioactive aglycone compounds. In addition to endogenous β-glucosidase activity present in raw material, the function of β-glucosidases in fermenting microorganisms has been progressively clarified and increasingly appreciated. In this regard, several lactic acid bacteria, including Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, showed high β-glucosidase activity, which can be considered as a valid biotechnological resource in different food sectors. Here, we reviewed the huge literature in which the β-glucosidases of L. plantarum were shown to play a role, highlighting how their action results in enhancing the nutritional, sensory, and functional properties of fermented foods. To this aim, after a brief introduction of the main functions of these enzymes in several kingdoms, we critically analyzed the involvement of L. plantarum β-glucosidases in plant-based food production, with a particular insight for soy, cassava, and olive-fermented products, as well as in the production of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. We trust that the reports summarized here can be helpful in planning future research and innovative strategies to obtain pleasing, functional, and healthy foods. Full article
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