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A Consistent Inoculum System to Study the Fermentation of Non‐starch Polysaccharides
Author(s) -
Stevenson A,
Buchanan C J,
Eastwood M A
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0010(199701)73:1<93::aid-jsfa691>3.0.co;2-5
Subject(s) - fermentation , food science , polysaccharide , pectin , starch , biology , chemistry , biochemistry
A variable in batch culture fermentation systems for studying the fermentation of polysaccharides is the faecal inoculum. A commercial bacterial bead preservation system (Microbank TM ) has been used for the long‐term storage of faecal inoculum. The inoculated beads are stored at ‐70°C for up to 3 months and retain their ability to ferment pectin, as measured by production of short‐chain fatty acids. A recovery medium is used for 27 h followed by culture in a standard medium for 48 h. Such a system offers a significant advantage over the present method of using fresh faeces on each occasion both in terms of ease of use and consistency of the inoculum. This allows for repeatable fermentation experiments over prolonged periods of time. © 1997 SCI.