Starter cultures biotechnology: The production of concentrated lactic cultures in alginate beads and their applications in the nutraceutical and food industries

Abstract

Lactic cultures are widely used in food fermentations and as probiotic supplements. Some strains are damaged by the various steps of fermentation concentration and drying involved in the biotechnology process. Growing cells in alginate beads instead of free cells in a culture medium can answer some of these problems. In this review, the characteristics of the fermentation process based on growing microentrapped (ME) lactic cultures in alginate beads are presented. Potential benefits to nutraceutical and food industries of ME cultures are also presented.