Biochemical and microbial profiling establish “Eu” (a traditional fermented beverage of Toto people) as a probiotic health drink

Abstract

Abstract“Eu,” is a traditional millet-based mild alcoholic beverage consumed by the Toto tribe of West Bengal. Eu is prepared through the fermentation of millet with locally groomed starter culture “Moaa.” The study highlighted the overview of the traditional process of Eu preparation along with its molecular and biochemical characterization. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for collecting the ethnobotanical data and the samples. We have also included qualitative assays like acute toxicity, antioxidant, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), molecular docking, and physiochemical characteristics such as pH and alcohol content. Moreover, metagenomics of the starter culture has been reported. This type of study on Eu has not been done previously. Therefore, it seems to be a pioneer report especially on the metagenomic analysis of Eu. Results revealed that Eu has a very low alcohol content (approximately 1-3%) and a high antioxidant capacity. GC-MS analysis identified thirteen different bioactive compounds. Metagenomics analysis revealed that the Eu has a high source of various beneficial gut microflora. Overall Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Enterococcus, Leuconostoc, and Pediococcus are dominant genera identified in the starter culture. The present study revealed that the consumption of Eu is safe and has the potential to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS). Hence, the commercialization of Eu can be an alternative source of income for the poor endangered Toto tribe.

Biochemical and microbial meta-profiling reveal the anti-cancer efficacy of Eu—an endemic traditional brew of the Toto tribe from India

“…The network pharmacology study revealed several Eu compounds interacted with the MAPK1, modulating its expression. Furthermore, a previous report on the in vitro antioxidant assay of Eu proved that Eu can reduce oxidative stress (Bhattacharjee et al 2021). Thus, the antioxidant property of Eu can reduce the expression of MAPK, plummeting the chances of GI oncogenic onset.…”

“…The collected liquid sample (Eu) was subjected to analysis of the biochemical composition and the nutritional value using the standard protocol. Previously, we have done a lyophilised methanolic extraction of Eu for GC-MS analysis to obtain the bioactive compounds in the brew (Bhattacharjee et al 2021).…”

“…The 'Toto' tribe in West Bengal, India, a primitive mongoloid Indo-Bhutanese isolated group, relies heavily on woodland produce for their livelihood. One of their unique traditional drinks is Eu (/ju:/), a millet-based brew with low alcohol content and high antioxidant value (Bhattacharjee et al 2021). Eu is characteristically prepared from fermented millet seeds with a spherical rice ball ('Moaa/Moi/moe'), incorporating various locally grown herbs (Capsicum annuum L, Plumbago zeylanica L., Drymaria cordata (L.) Willd.…”