Question

Answer for Cabbage:

1. What microbes are involved in the process?
2. What is the purpose of adding the ingredients in your recipe?
3. What metabolic processes are the microbes undergoing – what specific by-products are they producing that contribute to the changes in the food?
4. What changes occur in your food during the fermentation? e.g. Does the amount of oxygen in the container change? Why?  Same questions for carbon dioxide, pH, alcohol, temperature.

Answer 1

Sauerkraut fermentation is the process of microorganism on the cabbage digesting its natural sugar and converting them into CO2 and organic acid. This fermentation creates condition that promote the growth of beneficial probiotic bacteria.

In the process of Sauerkraut fermentation various type of micro organism is used. In first phase of fermentation anaerobic bacteria like Enterobacter and Klebsiella used that start the fermentation and produce the acidic environment which is helpful for next bacteria coming in the role. When this acidic level goes too high second phase start and Leuconostoc species like Leuconostoc mesenteroides are added. In third phase Lactobacillus species like L.plantaruma and L.brevis added to ferment remaining sugar which further lower the PH and make environment unfavourable to toxic bacteria.

By product- Fermentation organism are anaerobic, but use organic molecule as final electron acceptor to produce fermentation end product. Lactonacillus and bacillus produce lactice acid, while salmonella produce ethanol, lactic acid, acetic acid, CO2. In fermentation electron acceptor is not oxygen but an organic compound is the terminal electron acceptor. This process support anaerobic growth and less energy is generated from this incomplete form of glucose oxidation.

Organism in fermentaion does not need oxygen and level of CO2 increase in the conversion of glucose.

Why to add in diet- Sauerkraut is very nutrient.

Improve digestion

Help loose weight

Boost immune system

Maintain brain health

Reduce certain type of cancer