The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of extruded and fermented wheat bran (WBex-f) to the quality of wheat bread (BR), including the volatile compounds (VC) profile and VC relationship with emotions induced for consumers. A comparison study of BR (prepared with 5%, 10%, and 15% untreated wheat bran (nWB) and WBex-f) quality parameters was performed. It was established that nWB increases dough hardness and reduces BR specific volume. The addition of 5% and 10% of WBex-f was not significant on BR porosity and led to the formation of a high number of large pores. nWB and WBex-f increases the mass loss of BR after baking (by 13.38%), and the control breads showed the highest crust darkness, yellowness, and redness. nWB and WBex-f reduces BR firmness during storage, and WBex-f increases the overall acceptability (OA) of BR (by 26.2%). A strong positive correlation was found between OA and the emotion ‘happy’ (r = 0.8696). In BR prepared with WBex-f, a higher content of pyrazine, methyl-; pyrazine, 2-ethyl-; pyrazine, 2-ethyl-6-methyl-; furfural; ethanone, 1-(2-furanyl)-; benzaldehyde; and 3-furanmethanol was found. Finally, it can be stated that WBex-f could prolong the shelf life of BR and leads to the formation of a specific VC profile, which is associated with a higher OA of the product.

The main purpose of this experiment was to develop a multifunctional nutraceutical composition based on ingredients of different origins (Spirulina powder (SP), bovine colostrum (BC), Jerusalem artichoke powder (JAP), and apple cider vinegar (ACV)) which possess different health benefits through their different mechanisms of action. In order to improve the functional properties of Spirulina and bovine colostrum, fermentation with the Pediococcus acidilactici No. 29 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei LUHS244 strains, respectively, was carried out. These LAB strains were chosen due to their good antimicrobial properties. The following parameters were analysed: for Spirulina (non-treated and fermented)—pH, colour coordinates, fatty acid profile, and contents of L-glutamic and GABA acids; for bovine colostrum (non-treated and fermented)—pH, colour coordinates, dry matter, and microbiological parameters (total LAB, total bacteria, total enterobacteria, Escherichia coli, and mould/yeast counts); for the produced nutraceuticals—hardness, colour coordinates, and overall acceptability. It was established that fermentation reduced the pH of the SP and BC and affected their colour coordinates. Fermented SP contained a greater concentration of gamma-aminobutyric and L-glutamic acids (by 5.2 times and 31.4% more, respectively), compared to the non-treated SP and BC. In addition, the presence of gamma-linolenic and omega-3 fatty acids was observed in fermented SP. Fermentation of BC reduces Escherichia coli, total bacteria, total enterobacteria, and total mould/yeast counts in samples. The obtained three-layer nutraceutical (I layer—fermented SP; II—fermented BC and JAP; III—ACV) demonstrated a high overall acceptability. Finally, our finding suggest that the selected nutraceutical combination has immense potential in the production of a multifunctional product with improved functionality and a high acceptability.

This study aimed at evaluating changes of microalgae Spirulina during its fermentation with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum No. 122 strain, and further at incorporating Spirulina bio-converted for nutraceuticals rich in L-glutamic (L-Glu) and gamma-aminobutyric acids (GABA) into sucrose-free chewing candy (gummy) preparations. Fermented Spirulina had higher b* (yellowness) coordinates than untreated (non-fermented), and fermentation duration (24 and 48 h) had a statistically significant effect on colour coordinates. The highest contents of L-glutamic and gamma-aminobutyric acids (4062 and 228.6 mg/kg, respectively) were found in 24 and 48 h-fermented Spirulina, respectively. Fermentation increased the content of saturated fatty acids and omega-3 in Spirulina, while monounsaturated fatty acids and omega-6 were reduced. The addition of fermented Spirulina (FSp) significantly affected hardness, decreased lightness and yellowness, and increased the greenness of chewing candies. All chewing candy samples (with xylitol) prepared with 3 and 5 g of FSp and 0.2 µL of Citrus paradise essential oil received the highest scores for overall acceptability, and the highest intensity (0.052) of emotion “happy” was elicited by the sample group containing xylitol, agar, ascorbic acid, 3 g of FSp, and 0.1 µL of Mentha spicata essential oil. As an outcome of this research, one may conclude that fermented Spirulina has significant potential as an innovative ingredient in the production of healthier sucrose-free nutraceutical chewing candies.