Journal of Probiotics & Health
Open Access

Probiotics in traditional fermented non-alcoholic Turkish beverages

2^nd International Conference and Exhibition on Probiotics & Functional Foods

October 23-25, 2013 Holiday Inn Orlando International Airport, Orlando, FL, USA

Dilek Heperkan

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Prob Health

Abstract :

Fermented foods are considered as important on human diet. However, the studies on traditional Turkish fermented beverages and their lactic microflora are limited. The micro flora of these beverages is mainly composed of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with probiotic potential. Shalgam juice made of turnip, black carrot, bulgur, flour salt and water, which contains Lactobacillus plantarum , Lb. brevis and Lb. paracasei subsp . paracasei predominantly. Hardaliye is a kind of grape based non-alcoholic traditional beverage. The raw materials of these beverages are red grape or grape juice and crushed black mustard seed and cherry leaves. Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei and Lb. casei subsp. pseudoplantarum were predominant bacteria in hardaliye. Boza is a cereal based beverage. Millet, maize, wheat, or rice semolina or flour are used in the production of boza. Both yeast and LAB fermentation are observed in boza. As probiotic microorganisms of boza are concerned, Leuconostoc mesenteroides , Lb. acidophilus , Lb. plantarum , Lb. paracasei , Lb. pentosus , Lb. rhamnosus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were found. Ayran is produced by the fermentation of milk with Streptococcus thermophilus and Lb. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus , as starter cultures. Kefir is a fermented dairy product similar to ayran. However, fermentation process of kefir involves LAB and yeasts. Most of LAB in kefir have been considered as probiotic bacteria such as Lb. acidophilus , Lb. casei , Lb. kefiranofaciens , Pediococcus acidilactici , Lactococcus lactis . In this study the lactic microflora, selection of cultures as a starter and probiotics will be discussed in detail.

Biography :

Dilek Heperkan has completed her Ph.D. in 1986 from Egean University, Turkey. She worked as a researcher for 10 years in TUBITAK, National Scientific and Research Council. She participated as a member of World Working Party of Mycotoxin (2002-2007). She worked as a visiting scientist in the USA in 2001. She also visited University de Vigo, Spain and gave lectures by Erasmus Programme in 2007. She organized a number of national and international meetings. Recently, she organized 23rd International FoodMicro 2012 Congress together with ICFMH. She is currently working as a full time Professor in Istanbul Technical University, Food Engineering Department.