Lactic Acid Bacteria Mixture for Gluten-Free Bread Fermentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gluten-free bread products often have lower sensory and nutritional quality compared to traditional bread, and may contain gluten contaminants, posing risks for celiac patients, due to the use of conventional yeasting agents like brewer's yeast and chemical additives.

Innovation Solution

A mixture of selected lactic bacteria from the Lactobacillus genus, including Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis, Lactobacillus rossiae, and Lactobacillus plantarum, is used as a natural yeast to enhance the taste, nutritional value, and storage stability of gluten-free bread, while detoxifying gluten contaminants through fermentation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional yeasting agents (brewer's yeast or chemical yeasting) are used for gluten-free bread production, then the production process is simple and fast, but the sensory quality, nutritional value, and storage stability are lower

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction speedVSAvoidsensory quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the yeasting agent from conventional brewer's yeast or chemical leavening to a specifically formulated lactic acid bacteria mixture. This parameter change transforms the fermentation process, producing organic acids and enzymes that improve sensory quality, nutritional value, and storage stability while maintaining production efficiency through controlled fermentation conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite microbial system comprising multiple lactic acid bacteria strains (Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis, Lactobacillus rossiae, and Lactobacillus plantarum) working synergistically. This composite biological agent produces multiple beneficial effects simultaneously: acidification for preservation, proteolysis for nutritional enhancement, and gluten degradation for safety, thereby resolving the contradiction between production simplicity and product quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If brewer's yeast or chemical additives are used for yeasting, then the process is straightforward, but gluten contamination risks remain and nutritional absorption is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidgluten contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of gluten contamination into a beneficial process by employing lactic acid bacteria with specific proteolytic activity. These bacteria naturally degrade gluten proteins during fermentation, transforming the contaminant into harmless peptides and amino acids. This approach maintains process simplicity while actively eliminating gluten contamination, making the bread safe for celiac patients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The lactic acid bacteria mixture acts as an intermediary agent that mediates between the gluten-free ingredients and the final product safety. The bacteria produce enzymes that specifically target and degrade gluten proteins, serving as a biological filter that eliminates contamination risks without complicating the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If gluten-free ingredients are used, then the product is safe for celiac patients, but the structural properties and sensory characteristics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety for celiac patientsVSAvoidstructural properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical and biological parameters of the gluten-free dough through lactic acid bacteria fermentation. The bacteria produce organic acids that modify the pH, enhancing the functional properties of gluten-free flours and starches. This parameter change improves water absorption, starch gelatinization, and protein coagulation, thereby restoring structural properties and sensory characteristics while maintaining safety for celiac patients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The lactic bacteria mixture significantly increases free amino acid concentration, bioavailability of minerals, and sensory properties, providing a traditional bread taste and aroma while extending shelf-life without chemical preservatives, and effectively reduces gluten contamination.

Implementation Method 1

A propagation protocol of "natural yeast" involving propagation thereof for 8-24 h in a knead consisting of gluten-free ingredients and its successive use has been standardized and optimized

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Implementation Method 2

Di Cagno et al. (Applied and Environmental Microbiology, vol. 70, no. 2, February 2004, pages 1088-1096) and De Angelis et al. (Journal of Cereal Science, Academic Press Ltd, XX, vol. 43, no. 3, May 2006, pages 301-314) disclose lactic acid bacteria strains for yeasting of gluten-free flours

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProteolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP2046944B1Mixture of lactic acid bacteria for the preparation of gluten free baked products
Publication Date: 2012.09.19 GIULIANI SPA
  • EP2046944B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2046944B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2046944B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(f)

AI summary

The present invention concerns a mixture of lactic bacteria for yeasting of gluten-free baked products. Particularly, the invention concerns the use of "natural yeast"based on selected lactic bacteria as yeasting agent for the production of gluten-free bread, with improved sensory and nutritional property, designed for celiac patients feeding.