This study assessed the functionality and consumer acceptance of yeast fermented coffee beans. Green coffee beans were fermented for 24 h with three different yeast strains to increase functionality. The yeast fermentation was effective in fortifying the functionality of coffee by significantly increasing antioxidant activity according to the results of ORAC and SOD-like assay (P<0.05). The TPC and TFC contents in the fermented coffee beans were significantly higher than those in the controls (P<0.05). The consumer acceptance for the fermented coffee beans was slightly lower than that of the controls. Fermentation seemed to influence the aroma and flavor of coffee. However, agglomerative hierarchical clustering analysis revealed that approximately 39% of consumers significantly liked one of the fermented coffees (F3) more than the controls (P<0.05). These consumers indicated that the yeast fermentation of green coffee beans did not generate a negative aroma or flavor and can be attractive with high antioxidant activity.

We investigated the synergistic effects of lysozyme combined with organic acids to inhibit the growth of Listeria monocytogenes. The antilisterial effects of the combination of lysozyme and acetic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, or succinic acid were evaluated using the checkerboard method and time-kill assay. The MIC was 25,000 mg/liter for lysozyme, 625 mg/liter for acetic acid, and 1,250 mg/liter for the other acids. The MBC was 10,000 mg/liter for all of the tested organic acids. The combination of lysozyme and each organic acid showed synergistic effects via the checkerboard method; however, the time-kill assay showed synergistic effects for only three combinations of 1,250 mg/liter lysozyme with succinic acid (312 and 625 mg/liter) or malic acid (625 mg/liter). The results of this study indicate that the combination of lysozyme and malic acid or succinic acid can be effectively used as a food preservative to control L. monocytogenes.

The purpose of this study was to isolate functional Bacillus strains from Korean fermented soybeans and to evaluate their potential as probiotics. The L-asparaginase activity of MKHJ 1-1 was the highest among 162 Bacillus strains. This strain showed nonhemolysis and did not produce β-glucuronidase. Among the nine target bacteria, MKHJ 1-1 inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella sonnei, Shigella flexneri, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis resulted in MKHJ 1-1 identified as Bacillus subtilis subsp. stercoris D7XPN1. As a result of measuring the survival rate in 0.1% pepsin solution (pH 2.5) and 0.3% bile salt solution for 3 h, MKHJ 1-1 exhibited high acid resistance and was able to grow in the presence of bile salt. MKHJ 1-1 showed outstanding autoaggregation ability after 24 h. In addition, its coaggregation with pathogens was strong. Therefore, MKHJ 1-1 is a potential probiotic with L-asparaginase activity and without L-glutaminase activity, suggesting that it could be a new resource for use in the food and pharmaceutical industry.