Probiotics Potential of Yeast and Lactic Acid Bacteria Fermented Foods and the Impact of Processing: A Review of Indigenous and Continental Food Products

Probiotics have become essential in food safety and health discourse with interest in their availability, stability, nutrition, and health implications. In this paper, an overview of probiotics of yeast and lactic acid, bacterial fermented food is presented. Probiotics of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp.’s activities and processes within the human intestinal system are examined. Yeast and lactic acid bacterial (LAB) fermented foods from classified food groups such as vegetables, cereals, and grains, soybean, milk, fish, meat, and beverages are examined. This paper focuses on probiotic (microorganism) strains identified with food and their potential health and nutrition benefits. Finally, the impact of processing parameters and non-process factors on probiotics potential in fermented food is investigated.

The Use of Ripe Plantain (<i>Musa spp</i>.) and Peppercorns for Beverage Processing as a Pro-Vitamin A Carotenoid and Nutrition Catalyst

Plantain (Musa spp.) constitutes an essential food crop in both tropical and subtropical areas. The staple’s nutritional value and provitamin A carotenoid potential has attracted more interest and usage. Plantain (Musa spp.) optimization into food recipes has been identified to increase patronage and minimises food wastage, due to the fruit’s (pulp) high perishability nature. In this study, local over ripe plantain (Musa spp.) was sampled and used in a beverage production. The beverage was processed from pureed ripe plantain, by three days fermentation of the pureed plantain mixture, boiling, and spicing, preservation with syrup, storage, and usage. The product’s processing was followed with a sensory evaluation of the new beverage on taste, appearance, color, flavour, and overall acceptability. Majority of the respondents indicated the new product was good and was well accepted. The research sought to create food diversity, encourage more usage of the crop and to highlight the nutritional values of plantain (Musa spp.) which is particularly high in provitamin A carotenoid to address Vitamin A deficiency in low resource setting communities.

<i>Aflatoxin</i>M1 (<i>Aspergillus parasiticus, flavus</i>) Occurrences in Milk and Milk Products and Its Possible Health Effects

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) occurrence in milk and milk products has been a major concern among food scientists over the past three decades owing to its possible health risk in humans. The well-documented AFM1 associated adverse health outcomes include hepatocarcinogens, mutagens genotoxins, mutagenicity, and teratogen. The paper reviews the occurrence of AFM1 in milk, milk products, and human milk in developing and developed countries, with its safety standards of regulation. The health associated risks with AFM1 are the important methods used in detecting and reducing AFM1 in milk and other milk products are presented.

<i>Campylobacter, Salmonella</i>and <i>Escherichia coli</i>Food Contamination Risk in Free-Range Poultry Production System

Livestock such as poultry is consumed as food worldwide and it constitutes one of the main protein sources for diners, as well as an important source of revenue generation for farmers. Poultry meat production chain identifies a significant role of the farm to folk. Most often, the systems used in poultry production can result in a higher prevalence of Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Escherichia coli contamination, leading to adverse health effects with detrimental consequences. The method of poultry keeping plays a significant role in the poultry meats’ outcome and its food safety standards. Farmers attempt to develop new poultry operations, however, there are two main possibilities;to operate within the present vertically integrated system which is incredibly good for disease prevention and to develop independently, or a smaller operation that is more animal friendly. This article reviews the available research on the impact of free-range poultry production systems on food safety, most importantly the prevalence and control of Campylobacter, Salmonella and Escherichia coli in free-range production systems. The results suggest a conflicting view when bacterial loads of poultry meat from conventional and free-range systems are compared. Studies have shown increased bacterial loads in a free-range production system.