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Effects of the initial microbiota on microbial succession during eggplant fermentation

July 26, 2024
in Science Education
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Relationship Between Microbiota and Metabolites Produced During Eggplant Fermentation
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Shibazuke is a traditional Japanese eggplant pickle produced by the process of fermentation using lactic acid bacteria (LAB). LAB which are commonly present in vegetables cause the spontaneous fermentation of vegetables, resulting in the distinctive acidic flavor of pickles. While LAB are beneficial, other species of bacteria and microbes that may be present in the food source can affect the food quality and safety. Advancements in the areas of food technology and nutrition have allowed the large-scale fermentation of pickles via industrial fermenters, where conditions that affect fermentation like temperature, pH-acid levels, and salt content are closely monitored.

Relationship Between Microbiota and Metabolites Produced During Eggplant Fermentation

Credit: Tokyo Tech

Shibazuke is a traditional Japanese eggplant pickle produced by the process of fermentation using lactic acid bacteria (LAB). LAB which are commonly present in vegetables cause the spontaneous fermentation of vegetables, resulting in the distinctive acidic flavor of pickles. While LAB are beneficial, other species of bacteria and microbes that may be present in the food source can affect the food quality and safety. Advancements in the areas of food technology and nutrition have allowed the large-scale fermentation of pickles via industrial fermenters, where conditions that affect fermentation like temperature, pH-acid levels, and salt content are closely monitored.

The important role of specific microbial populations in spontaneous fermentation and their interactions that influence the overall quality of fermented products have been vastly studied. However, studies to replicate spontaneous fermentation involving sterile raw materials and artificially constructed microbiota are limited.

In a bid to reveal the complex microbial succession-changes in microbial populations during spontaneous fermentation and its effects on the final products, Associate Professor Takuji Yamada from School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan and Dr. Kazunori Sawada from Innovation Division, Gurunavi, Inc., Japan have conducted a novel study utilizing industrially produced shibazuke. Their research findings were published in the Microbiology Spectrum journal.

Sharing the inspiration and rationale behind the present research work, Yamada team says, “Investigation into the changes in microbial populations during the eggplant fermentation process and understanding the dynamics between them can provide critical insights. Additionally, the important factors and underlying mechanisms that influence the metabolite composition in shibazuke can be revealed.”

The researchers initially performed microbiota analysis of commercially produced shibazuke samples, employing 16S rRNA gene sequencing technique to study the characteristics of microbial population. They observed two different patterns of microbial succession in shibazuke samples. One, where the populations of LAB were replaced by aerobic bacteria whereas the other pattern revealed the dominance of LAB till the end of fermentation. The discovery of two distinct patterns of microbial succession motivated the researchers to model the production of shibazuke using an innovative research approach.

Subsequently, they inoculated filter-sterilized eggplant juice with an artificially constructed microbiota containing six species of bacteria that were observed during the early phase of shibazuke production. Microbiota analysis of eggplant juice fermentation indicated a single microbial succession pattern with LAB dominance, marked by the skewed growth of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum bacteria throughout the fermentation process.

Furthermore, the researchers conducted a correlation analysis to study the extent of similarities between shibazuke production and fermentation of eggplant juice. The fermentation profiles of dissolved oxygen and pH correlated with the microbial populations during fermentation and was found to be similar in both methods. Moreover, they identified L. plantarum to be involved in the production of lactic acid, alanine, and glutamic acid during shibazuke production and eggplant fermentation.

“The innovative model of eggplant juice fermentation developed by us can be easily extended to other spontaneous fermentation processes. Additionally, it can reveal the role of specific initial microbiota on fermentation and its final products,” says Yamada team, emphasizing the potential applications of the research work.

This study can aid the development of superfoods that have enhanced nutritional profiles and probiotic products with good bacteria like L. plantarum.

 

###

About Tokyo Institute of Technology

Tokyo Tech stands at the forefront of research and higher education as the leading university for science and technology in Japan. Tokyo Tech researchers excel in fields ranging from materials science to biology, computer science, and physics. Founded in 1881, Tokyo Tech hosts over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students per year, who develop into scientific leaders and some of the most sought-after engineers in industry. Embodying the Japanese philosophy of “monotsukuri,” meaning “technical ingenuity and innovation,” the Tokyo Tech community strives to contribute to society through high-impact research.

 

Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo) will be established on October 1, 2024, following the merger between Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) and Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech), with the mission of “Advancing science and human wellbeing to create value for and with society.”

 



Journal

Microbiology Spectrum

DOI

10.1128/spectrum.00464-24

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Influence of the Initial Microbiota on Eggplant Shibazuke Pickle and Eggplant Juice Fermentation

Article Publication Date

17-Jul-2024

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