Fermentation's pivotal role in shaping the future of plant-based foods: An integrative review of fermentation processes and their impact on sensory and health benefits

Given the environmental, ethical, and food security challenges posed by conventional agriculture and animal husbandry, the transition towards sustainable food systems is essential. Plant-based foods, especially those enhanced by fermentation, present a viable solution. Fermentation reduces the ecolo...

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Main Author: Nazanin Abbaspour
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Applied Food Research
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772502224000799
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author Nazanin Abbaspour
author_facet Nazanin Abbaspour
author_sort Nazanin Abbaspour
collection DOAJ
description Given the environmental, ethical, and food security challenges posed by conventional agriculture and animal husbandry, the transition towards sustainable food systems is essential. Plant-based foods, especially those enhanced by fermentation, present a viable solution. Fermentation reduces the ecological footprint, aligns with ethical standards, and enhances plant-based proteins’ nutritional value and sensory attributes, offering a credible alternative to animal products. This paper explores fermentation's transformative role in developing plant-based meats, dairy, and protein alternatives, emphasizing its benefits, including improved gut health through probiotics and prebiotics. It also addresses challenges such as producing undesirable by-products, potential health risks, and the increased costs associated with fermentation. Detailed examinations of specific fermentation processes—alcoholic, lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid—and their impact on enhancing the nutritional value, digestibility, and flavor of plant-based foods are presented. Case studies from pioneering plant-based food companies demonstrate fermentation technologies’ practical applications and market potential. Lastly, the paper discusses future challenges and opportunities in scaling up fermentation processes and incorporating advanced biotechnological techniques to further enhance food sustainability and health outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-e164a552e3314d88b438654e3be963bf2024-12-18T08:54:20ZengElsevierApplied Food Research2772-50222024-12-0142100468Fermentation's pivotal role in shaping the future of plant-based foods: An integrative review of fermentation processes and their impact on sensory and health benefitsNazanin Abbaspour0Family Health Centers of San Diego, CA, 92102, United StatesGiven the environmental, ethical, and food security challenges posed by conventional agriculture and animal husbandry, the transition towards sustainable food systems is essential. Plant-based foods, especially those enhanced by fermentation, present a viable solution. Fermentation reduces the ecological footprint, aligns with ethical standards, and enhances plant-based proteins’ nutritional value and sensory attributes, offering a credible alternative to animal products. This paper explores fermentation's transformative role in developing plant-based meats, dairy, and protein alternatives, emphasizing its benefits, including improved gut health through probiotics and prebiotics. It also addresses challenges such as producing undesirable by-products, potential health risks, and the increased costs associated with fermentation. Detailed examinations of specific fermentation processes—alcoholic, lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid—and their impact on enhancing the nutritional value, digestibility, and flavor of plant-based foods are presented. Case studies from pioneering plant-based food companies demonstrate fermentation technologies’ practical applications and market potential. Lastly, the paper discusses future challenges and opportunities in scaling up fermentation processes and incorporating advanced biotechnological techniques to further enhance food sustainability and health outcomes.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772502224000799Sustainable food systemAlternative foodsPlant-based proteinsFood securityBioactive compounds
spellingShingle Nazanin Abbaspour
Fermentation's pivotal role in shaping the future of plant-based foods: An integrative review of fermentation processes and their impact on sensory and health benefits
Applied Food Research
Sustainable food system
Alternative foods
Plant-based proteins
Food security
Bioactive compounds
title Fermentation's pivotal role in shaping the future of plant-based foods: An integrative review of fermentation processes and their impact on sensory and health benefits
title_full Fermentation's pivotal role in shaping the future of plant-based foods: An integrative review of fermentation processes and their impact on sensory and health benefits
title_fullStr Fermentation's pivotal role in shaping the future of plant-based foods: An integrative review of fermentation processes and their impact on sensory and health benefits
title_full_unstemmed Fermentation's pivotal role in shaping the future of plant-based foods: An integrative review of fermentation processes and their impact on sensory and health benefits
title_short Fermentation's pivotal role in shaping the future of plant-based foods: An integrative review of fermentation processes and their impact on sensory and health benefits
title_sort fermentation s pivotal role in shaping the future of plant based foods an integrative review of fermentation processes and their impact on sensory and health benefits
topic Sustainable food system
Alternative foods
Plant-based proteins
Food security
Bioactive compounds
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772502224000799
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