Health benefits of probiotics and production of inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) released during milk fermentation are well known. That is why in this investigation the proteolytic profile and ACE inhibitory capacity of peptide fractions from protein hydrolysis of milk during fermentation processes was analyzed. Milk fermentation was carried out inoculating 10⁶ CFU of L. rhamnosus GG, S. thermophilus SY-102 and with both bacteria. The proteolytic profile was determined using: TNBS, SDS-PAGE and SEC-HPLC techniques. In vitro ACE inhibition capacity was measured. The pH of 4.5 was reached at 56 h when the milk was fermented with L. rhamnosus, at 12 h with S. thermophillus and at 41 h in the co-culture. Production of free amino groups corresponded with the profile of low molecular weight peptides observed by SDS-PAGE and SEC-HPLC. Co-culture fermentation showed both the highest concentration of low molecular weight peptides and the ACE inhibitory activity (>80%). Results indicated that the combination of lactic cultures could be useful in manufacture of fermented milk with an added value that goes beyond basic nutrition, such as the production of ACE-inhibitory peptides.

The health benefits attributed to probiotics generate interest in the search of competent strains adapted to several ecological niches, especially those related to traditional beverages and foods of each country. Pineapple tepache, a traditional Mexican fermented beverage, was used for the isolation of lactic acid bacteria with probiotic potential, one of which withstood the in vitro tests. The isolated strain AB-05, which exhibited the tested probiotic functional properties, was designated as Lactobacillus pentosus ABHEAU-05. The sequence was registered in GenBank under access code MK587617. This study is the first report of a lactic acid bacterium with in vitro digestion resistance isolated from pineapple tepache. The survival of L. pentosus ABHEAU-05 in a symbiotic medium was proven using fermented milk enriched with inulin. The in vitro digestion-resistant probiotic activity of lactobacilli was measured through analysis of pH and proteolysis. Results showed that L. pentosus grew properly in fermented milk; therefore, this microorganism could be used in the manufacture of this kind of products. The concentration of L. pentosus reached up to 8.5logCFU/ml after 40h of fermentation. In addition, the production of peptides and the decrease in pH indicated the vigorous and active metabolic state of the lactic acid bacterium tested. The activity and the concentration of this microorganism were maintained during refrigeration. The results of this research conclude that L. plantarum ABHEAU-05 is an in vitro digestion-resistant microorganism that can be used as a starter culture for the production of functional foods of dairy origin.

Ginger rhizome is widely used in culinary preparations and in traditional medicine. Its benefits are associated with its antioxidant properties related to phenolics and terpenoids compounds, which use to be thermolabile. Ultrasound-assisted extraction has been useful for enhancing the release of thermosensitive compounds present in vegetable tissues. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of ultrasound-assisted extraction on the release of antioxidants from ginger in aqueous media as well as their in vitro bioaccessibility. Central composite rotatable design was applied to obtain the optimal conditions for the extraction; the variables studied were amplitude (80–90%) and temperature (30–50 °C). Total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity (DPPH•, ABTS•+ and FRAP), and in vitro bioaccessibility were determined. Amplitude was the main parameter influencing the extraction of antioxidants. The ginger aqueous extracts showed a bioaccessibility of around 30%. The release of antioxidant compounds from ginger by ultrasound-assisted extraction avoids the use of high temperatures and solvents commonly used in conventional extraction methods.

Nowadays, there are few options of low or no added sugar drinks offering health benefits and oriented to consumers with a special health condition, such as overweight and obesity. The objective of this work was to develop and characterize a low-calorie antioxidant beverage made from aqueous extracts of medicinal plants (Melissa and lemon verbena), flowers (chamomile and bougainvillea), and fruits (guava, pineapple, strawberry, orange, and tangerine) as an alternative for people with overweight and obesity. Four formulations were developed from medicinal plants, flowers, and fruits. For this, a solid-liquid conventional extraction was carried out (at 90 °C during 5 min) followed by a cold shock in ice. The developed beverages were characterized in a microbiological and physicochemical way according to official analysis methods. The sensory evaluation was carried out through liking and buying intention tests. The population under study was integrated by 400 adults divided into two groups (with and without overweight or obesity). The beverages developed were low-calorie (≤40 kcal per portion), very low in sodium (1.6 g GAE portion), and with an attractive color. The results indicate that these beverages could be an alternative to the consumption of common industrialized drinks conferring additional benefits for the prevention of chronic diseases.