Physico-chemical and functional properties of the lao fermented bamboo shoots (Nor Mai Som) inoculated with potential probiotic bacteria, Pediococcus pentosaceus BBS1 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BBS13

Pediococcus pentosaceus BBS1 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BBS13 strains were used as starter cultures in Nor mai som fermentation, to determine their physiochemical action, changes in their population, and in reducing cyanide compounds.

When BBS1 and BBS13 were added to the fermentation set-ups, the pH values decreased from the initial pH of > 4.6 to pH 3.0 at the end of the fermentation period. The lactic acid levels in all treatments increased from the start of the process through the end of fermentation. During fermentation, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and total viable count (TVC) populations in all Nor mai som samples showed similar counts of >9 log CFU/g in 24 h of incubation. Thereafter, the counts declined until the completion of the fermentation. Interestingly, Enterobacteriaceae were undetectable in all samples with inoculated starter cultures, whereas their growth in spontaneous fermentation was still found at 3.95 log CFU/g on day 3. Each treatment with the inoculated strains showed cyanide reduction in the range of 62.09 % to 90.31 % at day 10, compared to natural fermentation which registered a reduction of only 49.75 % for the same period. The findings herein indicate that BBS1 and BBS13 when used as starter cultures play a significant role in accelerating the process within 5 days compared to the treatment without inoculation which takes 15 days. BBS1 and BBS13 contribute to the improvement of product quality and may be economically advantageous in large-scale manufacture. This suggests the opportunity to utilize them in various products, including Nor mai som, livestock feeds, and plant-derived fermented products.