Search

In this study, five plant matrices (pea, mung bean, lentils, soy and sunflower) were fermented using Bacillus subtilis var. natto. Then the process influence on the content of fatty acids and proteins was evaluated, depending on the fermentation length. Fermentation was conducted for 144 hours in controlled conditions of temperature and relative humidity (37°C, 75%). Samples for tests were collected every 24 hours. Gas chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) was used to evaluate fatty acids content in fermented seeds. Their composition was expressed as a percentage of the total quantity of fatty acids. The protein content in plant matrices was analysed with the modified Bradford protein assay, using the TECAN apparatus with the i-Control software, of the wave length of ʎ=595 nm. Studies showed that the prolonged fermentation time influenced an increase of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content in all studied seeds. Promising results were obtained for soy, sunflower, and lentil seeds, amounting to 3.6%; 68.7% and 67.7%, respectively. This proves that the process of seed fermentation can be effectively used to increase their nutritional value.

In this study, 10 different plant materials (seeds/beans) were fermented by Bacillus subtilis var. natto. The influence of the process on vitamin K2 MK-7 content during different fermentation periods was assessed. Fermented plant samples were analyzed by the procedure using HPLC UV/DAD. The fermented sunflower seeds, mung beans and peas appeared to be the most promising plants, reaching values of K2 of 1080.18±55.11 µg/100g, 806.45±60.95 µg/100g and 636.92±59.86 µg/100g, respectively. The experiments showed that extending of the fermentation time to 5–6 days was favorable for the menaquinone-7 yield. The results show that almost all fermented seeds/beans, apart from soybean, can be good source of vitamin K2 MK-7 and represent a new perspective, especially in terms of lower the phytoestrogen content.