Reference Number: 220
Year: 2014
Link: Link to original paper
Nutrition: Exopolysaccharides
Summary
The use of sourdough improves the quality and increases the shelf life of bread. The positive effects are associated with metabolites produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) during sourdough fermentation, including organic acids, exopolysaccharides (EPS), and enzymes. EPS formed during sourdough fermentation by glycansucrase activity from sucrose influence the viscoelastic properties of the dough and beneficially affect the texture and shelf life (in particular, starch retrogradation) of bread. Accordingly, EPS have the potential to replace hydrocolloids currently used as bread improvers and meet so the consumer demands for a reduced use of food additives. In this review, the current knowledge about the functional aspects of EPS formation by sourdough LAB especially in baking applications is summarized.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS STUDY
LAB naturally produce EPS during the sourdough fermentation process. These have the potential to act as bread improvers and health-promoting compounds in sourdough products.
