Application of Fermentation Technology in Plant-Based Foods: Enhancing Sensory Attributes and Functional Bioactivity

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 July 2026 | Viewed by 1939

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, Cesena, FC, Italy
Interests: food microbiology; fermented foods; food safety; lactic acid bacteria; bioprotective cultures; natural anitmicrobials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fermented foods represent an important part of the global traditional food culture, allowing the transformation of raw materials into products that can be stored for a long time. In recent years, there has been growing interest in plant-based fermented products, opening great opportunities for food industries in relation to traditional or novel plant-based fermented foods. The main microorganisms responsible for fermentation processes are bacteria, mainly lactic acid bacteria, and fungi, which strongly affect the quality and safety of the final product, also giving it peculiar organoleptic features. In addition, these microorganisms can affect functional properties by producing bioactive compounds, as well as induce antimicrobial activity (bacteriocins).
This Special Issue aims to collect articles and reviews dealing with the effect of the application of lactic acid fermentation technology in plant-based foods to enhance safety, sensory attributes, and functional bioactivity. In particular, papers focusing on the following are encouraged:

  • The effect of fermentation on the qualitative features of final products (texture, aroma profile, etc.);
  • New starter cultures tailored for plant-based matrices;
  • Novel fermented foods as an alternative to meat and dairy products;
  • The application of mitigation strategies to enhance the safety and quality of plant-based foods;
  • The increase in nutritional value of plant-based products through fermentation with selected microbial strains.

Dr. Federica Barbieri
Dr. Vittorio Capozzi
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • plant-based foods
  • novel fermented foods
  • fermentation
  • microbial performance
  • food safety
  • technological processes
  • mitigation strategies
  • sensory characteristics
  • functional bioactivity

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 1689 KB  
Article
Physicochemical Properties, Rheological Characteristics, Flavor Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Fermented Plant-Based Alternative to Yoghurt from Avena sativa L. and Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb
by Menghan Ma, Mengjie Li, Duo Feng and Jing Wang
Foods 2026, 15(9), 1529; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15091529 - 28 Apr 2026
Viewed by 356
Abstract
This study compared oat yoghurt (OY), almond yoghurt (AY), oat–almond yoghurt (OAY), and an unfermented oat–almond milk (OAM) to clarify how blending and lactic fermentation affect fermented plant-based alternatives to yoghurt. Nutritionally, OAY showed a balanced profile (protein 2.87 g/100 g; fat 5.18 [...] Read more.
This study compared oat yoghurt (OY), almond yoghurt (AY), oat–almond yoghurt (OAY), and an unfermented oat–almond milk (OAM) to clarify how blending and lactic fermentation affect fermented plant-based alternatives to yoghurt. Nutritionally, OAY showed a balanced profile (protein 2.87 g/100 g; fat 5.18 g/100 g), intermediate between AY (3.29 g/100 g, 8.89 g/100 g) and OY (2.39 g/100 g, 3.30 g/100 g). Fermentation enhanced physical stability, as OAY showed higher water-holding capacity (58.08%) and high viscosity (5381.49 mPa·s), together with the highest viable lactic acid bacteria count (7.1 log10 CFU/g). Scanning electron microscopy revealed that co-fermentation formed a denser, more cohesive multiphase gel network with reduced pore size compared with OAM and AY. All samples exhibited shear-thinning behavior; dynamic rheology indicated weak gel features (G′ > G″), and OAY showed the highest G′, implying a reinforced network likely associated with interactions between oat β-glucan and almond proteins during fermentation. Volatile profiling by GC–MS identified 117 compounds, and OAY exhibited the greatest total volatiles (523.02 μg/kg), exceeding OY (397.43 μg/kg) and OAM (195.73 μg/kg), indicating improved aroma complexity and consumer acceptability. In conclusion, our study will provide quantifiable formulations for the development of highly acceptable oat and almond-based plant-based yoghurt. Most importantly, it also offers additional dairy products for individuals with gluten allergies and lactose intolerance. Full article
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24 pages, 717 KB  
Article
Lactic Acid Bacteria–Yeast Consortia Enhance Nutritional Quality, Safety, and Volatilome of Fermented Chickpea Flour
by Solidea Amadei, Davide Gottardi, Marta Sindaco, Irene Gandolfi, Margherita D’Alessandro, Luisa Pellegrino, Mattia Di Nunzio, Lorenzo Siroli, Francesca Patrignani and Rosalba Lanciotti
Foods 2026, 15(7), 1239; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15071239 - 4 Apr 2026
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Abstract
Chickpea flour represents a valuable plant-based ingredient due to its high protein and fiber content; however, its application is limited by antinutritional factors and off-flavor compounds. Fermentation with LAB and yeasts, applied individually or in consortia, resulted in significant microbiological, nutritional, and aromatic [...] Read more.
Chickpea flour represents a valuable plant-based ingredient due to its high protein and fiber content; however, its application is limited by antinutritional factors and off-flavor compounds. Fermentation with LAB and yeasts, applied individually or in consortia, resulted in significant microbiological, nutritional, and aromatic changes. The fastest acidification (pH 3.9) and the most effective control of Enterobacteriaceae (<4 log CFU/g after 48 h) were observed in samples containing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP23, both as a monoculture and in combination with Debaryomyces hansenii Y15A. Peptide content significantly increased in all fermented samples compared to the control, with a synergistic effect in the co-culture Yarrowia lipolytica Y3 + Lacticaseibacillus paracasei L (around 230%). A pronounced reduction in raffinose-family oligosaccharides was observed, especially in the consortia Y. lipolytica Y3 + Lcb. paracasei L and D. hansenii Y15A + Lacp. plantarum LP23 (0.11–0.16 mmol/100 g). Samples with lower total volatile levels showed higher olfactory acceptability due to a marked reduction in aldehydes (up to 70–95% vs. control), and a balanced accumulation of alcohols, esters, ketones, and organic acids. Overall, LAB–yeast consortia effectively enhanced the nutritional quality, safety, and sensory properties of chickpea flour, supporting its use as a functional ingredient in plant-based foods. Full article
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18 pages, 3570 KB  
Article
Plant-Based Yogurt Using Rice Bran and Grain of Green Rice: Increasing the Protein Content of Raw Materials by Enzymatic Protein Extraction
by Tarathep Siripan, Hua Li and Sirithon Siriamornpun
Foods 2026, 15(7), 1169; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15071169 - 31 Mar 2026
Viewed by 493
Abstract
This study investigated rice bran and green Khao Dawk Mali 105 (KDML 105) rice grains as alternative protein sources for plant-based yogurt. However, there is a lack of systematic investigation on the application of enzyme-extracted proteins from green KDML 105 rice and rice [...] Read more.
This study investigated rice bran and green Khao Dawk Mali 105 (KDML 105) rice grains as alternative protein sources for plant-based yogurt. However, there is a lack of systematic investigation on the application of enzyme-extracted proteins from green KDML 105 rice and rice bran in fermented yogurt systems. Proteins were obtained via enzyme-assisted extraction to enhance yield and bioactive compound release prior to formulation. Physicochemical, compositional, rheological, bioactive, and sensory properties were evaluated. Yogurts by green rice protein extract (GRE) and green rice bran protein extract (GBE) formed softer gel networks than soy yogurt, exhibiting lower water-holding capacity and higher syneresis, reflecting differences in protein aggregation during fermentation. Nevertheless, green rice (GR) and green rice bran (GB) yogurts contained significantly higher protein levels (1.93–2.47-fold) than the control. They also demonstrated enhanced bioactive properties, with increased total phenolic content (1.07–1.51-fold), total flavonoid content (2.10–4.35-fold), DPPH radical scavenging activity (1.07–1.16-fold), and FRAP values (1.46–1.98-fold). Sensory evaluation indicated good acceptability, particularly for GR formulations, which achieved a mean score of 7 with favorable texture and flavor attributes. These findings highlight the technological feasibility of utilizing green rice and rice bran proteins as primary ingredients in rice-based fermented yogurt alternatives with improved bioactive functionality. Full article
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