title: Exploitation of the nutritional and functional characteristics of traditional Italian legumes: the potential of sourdough fermentation.
abstract: This study aimed at evaluating the composition of nineteen traditional Italian legumes and at investigating the potential of the sourdough fermentation with selected lactic acid bacteria to improve the nutritional and functional features. Traditional Italian legumes, all with product certifications and belonging to Phaseolus vulgaris, Cicer arietinum, Lathyrus sativus, Lens culinaris and Pisum sativum species, were used in this study. Seeds were milled, and flours were analyzed for proximate composition and subjected to sourdough fermentation at 30°C for 24h. Lactobacillus plantarum C48 and Lactobacillus brevis AM7 were used as selected starters. Compared to control doughs, without bacterial inoculum, the concentrations of free amino acids (FAA), soluble fibres, and total phenols increased for all legume sourdoughs. Raffinose decreased of up to ca. 64%. During sourdough fermentation, the level of GABA markedly increased and reached values up to 624mg/kg. Condensed tannins decreased. At the same time, almost all legume sourdoughs showed increases of the antioxidant and phytase activities. As shown by PCA analysis based on data of total FAA, GABA, raffinose, soluble/insoluble dietary fibre, condensed tannins and antioxidant and phytase activities, all legume sourdoughs were clearly differentiated from control doughs. The traditional Italian legumes are bio-diverse, and all showed high levels of nutritional elements and suitability for optimal sourdough fermentation. Legume flours subjected to sourdough fermentation would be suitable to be used alone or better in mixture with cereals, and as gluten-free ingredients for making novel and healthy foods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil, Plant and Food Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: José Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Curiel
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Rossana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Coda
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil, Plant and Food Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Centomani
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil, Plant and Food Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Carmine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Summo
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil, Plant and Food Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gobbetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Soil, Plant and Food Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy. Electronic address: carlogiuseppe.rizzello@uniba.it.
authors.forename: Carlo Giuseppe
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Rizzello
mesh_terms: D001939:Bread / Q000032:analysis / Q000382:microbiology*; D007887:Fabaceae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology*; D005285:Fermentation; D007558:Italy; D052196:Levilactobacillus brevis / Q000378:metabolism; D048191:Lactiplantibacillus plantarum / Q000378:metabolism
keywords: Lactic acid bacteria; Legumes; Sourdough