En el dise��o de embutidos crudos curados enriquecidos en fibra alimentaria, es esencial la obtenci��n de ingredientes funcionales de elevada calidad, que puedan ser incorporados en la formulaci��n del embutido generando las menores modificaciones de las caracter��sticas f��sico-qu��micas y sensoriales del alimento. El principal objetivo de este trabajo consisti�� en optimizar la formulaci��n de un embutido crudo curado enriquecido en un concentrado de fibra alimentaria de zanahoria. La formulaci��n ��ptima debe proporcionar el contenido m��ximo de fibra alimentaria y producir los m��nimos cambios de calidad respecto al producto tradicional. Se ha propuesto una metodolog��a para optimizar ambos, la obtenci��n de un concentrado de fibra alimentaria de alta calidad y tambi��n la formulaci��n de un embutido crudo curado (sobrasada) enriquecido en fibra alimentaria. En primer lugar, se ha desarrollado un procedimiento que consiste en la modelizaci��n, simulaci��n y optimizaci��n del proceso de secado convectivo de zanahoria. El procedimiento de optimizaci��n no solo se refiere a la transferencia de materia, sino tambi��n se incluyen los criterios relacionados con los atributos de calidad del producto final. Una vez obtenido el ingrediente funcional de calidad, fue incorporado en la formulaci��n de la sobrasada. La cantidad ��ptima de concentrado de fibra alimentaria de zanahoria necesaria para obtener un embutido enriquecido de calidad se estim�� mediante el an��lisis de los efectos de la adici��n de fibra alimentaria de zanahoria en el proceso de maduraci��n-secado de sobrasada. / To design dry fermented sausages enriched in dietary fibre, it is essential to obtain high quality functional ingredients, which can be incorporated into sausage formulation with minor modifications of the physico-chemical and sensory properties of food. The main objective of this study was to optimize the formulation of a dry fermented sausage enriched with a dietary fibre concentrate from carrot. The optimal formulation should provide maximum dietary fibre content and produce minimal quality changes from the traditional product. A methodology has been proposed to optimize both the acquisition of a high quality fibre concentrate and also for the formulation of a dry fermented sausage (sobrassada) enriched in dietary fibre. First, a procedure comprised of mathematical modelling, simulation and optimization of the convective carrot drying process was developed. The optimization procedure was not only concerned with mass transfer but also included criteria related to quality attributes of the final product. Once the high quality functional ingredient was obtained, it was incorporated into the sobrassada formulation. The optimal amount of carrot dietary fibre concentrate necessary to obtain a high quality enriched sausage was estimated by analysing the effects of carrot dietary fibre addition to the ripening-drying process of sobrassada. / En el disseny d'embotits crus curats enriquits en fibra aliment��ria, ��s essencial l'obtenci�� d'ingredients funcionals d'elevada qualitat que puguin ser incorporats en la formulaci�� de l'embotit generant les menors modificacions de les caracter��stiques fisicoqu��miques i sensorials de l'aliment. El principal objectiu d'aquest treball va consistir a optimitzar la formulaci�� d'un embotit cru curat enriquit en un concentrat de fibra aliment��ria de pastanaga. La formulaci�� ��ptima ha de proporcionar el contingut m��xim de fibra aliment��ria i produir la menor quantitat possible de canvis qualitatius respecte al producte tradicional. S'ha proposat una metodologia per optimitzar ambd��s aspectes esmentats, l'obtenci�� d'un concentrat de fibra aliment��ria d'alta qualitat i tamb�� la formulaci�� d'un embotit cru curat (sobrassada) enriquit en fibra aliment��ria. En primer lloc, s'ha desenvolupat un procediment que consisteix en la modelitzaci��, simulaci�� i optimitzaci�� del proc��s d'assecatge convectiu de pastanaga. El procediment d'optimitzaci�� no nom��s fa refer��ncia a la transfer��ncia de mat��ria, sin�� que tamb�� inclou els criteris relacionats amb els atributs de qualitat del producte final. Una vegada obtingut l'ingredient funcional de qualitat, va ser incorporat en la formulaci�� de la sobrassada. La quantitat ��ptima de concentrat de fibra aliment��ria de pastanaga necess��ria per obtenir un embotit enriquit de qualitat es va estimar mitjan��ant l'an��lisi dels efectes de l'addici�� de fibra aliment��ria de pastanaga en el proc��s de maduraci��/assecat de sobrassada.

Los embutidos fermentados ligeramente acidificados son un grupo de productos tradicionales mediterráneos, caracterizados por un pH superior a 5,3.Para un control eficiente de la seguridad microbiológica de los embutidos se necesitan técnicas rápidas para la identificación y recuento de los microorganismos patógenos a estudiar. En el presente trabajo, se desarrolló una técnica para la enumeración de L. monocytogenes que combinó el método del número más probable y la identificación mediante PCR específica. Para la detección de Salmonella spp. y L. monocytogenes se desarrolló un sistema de PCR-multiplex que permitió la identificación de ambos patógenos de forma simultánea en una sola reacción.El estudio de la calidad microbiológica de los embutidos fermentados ligeramente acidificados se completó con la caracterización de las comunidades microbianas más importantes en estos productos. Se identificaron a nivel de especie los aislados de bacterias del ácido láctico (BAL), de enterococos y de cocos gram-positivos catalasa-positivos (CGC+). Posteriormente se realizó una tipificación molecular de los mismos mediante RAPD y análisis del perfil plasmídico y se estudiaron las principales características de interés higiénico-sanitario y tecnológico de las cepas.Mediante PCR se identificó Lactobacillus sakei como la especie predominante (74%), seguida por Lactobacillus curvatus (21,2%). La actividad aminoácido-descarboxilasa se asoció a la especie L. curvatus (el 66% de los aislados presentaron esta actividad).La identificación de los enterococos se realizó mediante PCR-multiplex y por secuenciación del gen sodA. Enterococcus faecium fue la especie de enterococos predominante (51,9%) seguida por Enterococcus faecalis (14,2%).Todas las cepas de E. faecalis presentaron genes asociados a factores de virulencia. E. faecalis presentó mayor resistencia a antibióticos que el resto de las especies de enterococos estudiadas. Tan sólo una cepa de E. faecium presentó el genotipo vanA (que confiere resistencia de alto nivel a la vancomicina).La identificación de los aislados de CGC+ (mediante PCR específica y amplificación de la región intergénica 16S-23S ARNr) demostró que Staphylococcus xylosus es la especie predominante en los embutidos fermentados ligeramente acidificados (80,8%).La amina biógena más común en los CGC+ fue la feniletilamina, producida por un 10,8% de aislados. Un pequeño porcentaje de aislados fueron mecA+ (4,6%), presentando además resistencia a múltiples antibióticos. El potencial enterotoxigénico de las cepas de CGC+ fue muy reducido (3,3% de los aislados), detectándose únicamente el gen entC.El estudio pormenorizado de las comunidades bacterianas de interés permitió la selección de 2 cepas de L. sakei y 2 cepas de S. xylosus con características tecnológicas e higiénico-sanitarias óptimas. Para evaluar su efectividad como cultivos iniciadores se elaboraron dos tipos de embutidos ligeramente ácidos, chorizo y fuet, inoculados con microorganismos patógenos (Salmonella spp., L. monocytogenes y S. aureus). El uso de cultivos iniciadores permitió el control de L. monocytogenes, Enterobacteriaceae y Enterococcus así como del contenido en aminas biógenas. Los recuentos de Salmonella spp. disminuyeron de forma significante durante la maduración de los embutidos, independientemente del uso de cultivos iniciadores. El uso del tratamiento de alta presión (400 MPa) en los embutidos madurados consiguió la ausencia de Salmonella spp. en los lotes tratados. / Low-acid fermented meat products (final pH, 5.3 to 6.2) are a group of traditional Mediterranean products with a great diversity within the regions.To control the microbial quality of this kind of sausages is necessary to use rapid methods able to produce results quickly and reliably. In this study, a highly sensitive PCR-based method to detect and quantify L. monocytogenes in fermented sausages was developed. This method combined the high sensitivity of the most-probable-number method with a L. monocytogenes specific PCR assay. Also a multiplex-PCR based method for the simultaneous identification of L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. was designed. The study of the microbial quality of the slightly fermented sausages was followed by the characterization of the microbial communities of this kind of products. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), enterococci and Gram-positive catalase-positive cocci (GCC+) were identified at species level. RAPD-PCR and plasmid profiling were used to evaluate the genetic diversity within species and to identify identical isolates of the same strain. Safety and hygienic properties were also studied in order to characterize the isolates in detail. With this aim, bacteriocin production, biogenic amine production and antibiotic susceptibility were determined. By species-specific PCR, Lactobacillus sakei was identified as the predominant LAB (74%) followed by Lactobacillus curvatus (21.2%) and Leuconostoc mesenteroides (4.8%). The production of biogenic amines was mainly related to the species L. curvatus (66% of the isolates were biogenic amine-producers).Species-specific PCR and partial sequencing of sodA gene were used to identify enterococcal population. Enterococcus faecium was the most frequently isolated species (51.9%) followed by Enterococcus faecalis (14,2%). All the E. faecalis strains carried virulence genes. E. faecalis showed higher antibiotic resistance than the other species. Only one E. faecium strain showed vanA genotype (high-level resistance to glycopeptides).Species-specific PCR and amplification of the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic region were used to identify GCC+ population. Staphylococcus xylosus was the predominant species (80.8%) in this kind of sausages.Tyramine was the most intense biogenic amine produced, although by only 4.6% of the GCC+ isolates. Phenylethylamine was more frequently detected (10.8% of isolates) but at lower levels. A low percentage of isolates (4.6%) showed mecA genes displaying also resistance to multiple antibiotics. Only 3.3% of isolates showed staphylococcal enterotoxins genes, all identified as entC gene.The study of the safety and technological properties of the isolates allowed to select 2 strains of L. sakei and 2 strains of S. xylosus on the basis of their technological and safety characteristics. To evaluate their suitability as starter cultures two types of low acid fermented sausages, fuet and chorizo, were manufactured. Batters were inoculated with L. monocytogenes, S. enterica and S. aureus. Starter cultures were able to control the growth of L. monocytogenes, Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcus and the biogenic amine content. Salmonella spp counts decreased significantly during ripening independently of the use of starter culture and product.High hydrostatic pressure treatment was necessary to assure absence of Salmonella spp. in final products.

Submitted by Geandra Rodrigues (geandrar@gmail.com) on 2017-12-20T17:22:53Z No. of bitstreams: 1 fernandapyramidesdocoutogomes.pdf: 1744041 bytes, checksum: 559614bb5909c675c36516c829997921 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-12-21T10:42:28Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 fernandapyramidesdocoutogomes.pdf: 1744041 bytes, checksum: 559614bb5909c675c36516c829997921 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-12-21T10:42:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 fernandapyramidesdocoutogomes.pdf: 1744041 bytes, checksum: 559614bb5909c675c36516c829997921 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-08-31 / A presença de resíduos de antimicrobianos em leite pode representar grave problema de saúde pública. Por este motivo, algumas medidas legais foram tomadas pelos órgãos competentes, como a venda de medicamentos antimicrobianos sob prescrição médica ou médico veterinária, a observância de Boas Práticas Agropecuárias, e a definição de limites máximos de resíduos (LMR) em alimentos de origem animal. No entanto, os LMR estabelecidos não visam os efeitos sobre tecnologia e fabricação de produtos lácteos, mas sim a proteção da saúde pública. Sob o aspecto tecnológico, as bactérias lácticas são indispensáveis na produção de derivados lácteos fermentados, pois promovem a acidificação controlada e melhoram a textura e o sabor do produto. Assim, a hipótese norteadora deste estudo é que resíduos de antimicrobianos em leite, mesmo abaixo do LMR, são capazes de alterar negativamente a resposta fermentativa das bactérias lácticas. Para tal, foram empregados cinco antimicrobianos (amoxicilina, ceftiofur, gentamicina, sulfametazina e tetraciclina, representante dos cinco principais grupos de antimicrobianos constantes do Plano Nacional de Controle de Resíduos e Contaminantes do Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento - MAPA), em cinco diferentes concentrações (0; 0,50; 0,75; 1,0 e 1,25 do respectivo LMR), que foram testados frente a três fermentos comerciais, DELVO® FRESH FC-211 (Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis e Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris), DELVO® CHEESE CP-101 (Streptococcus thermophilus) e DELVO® FRESH YS-131 (Lactobacillus bulgaricus e Streptococcus thermophilus), amplamente utilizados na fabricação de queijos e iogurtes. O leite foi proveniente de três animais diferentes, comprovadamente não-tratados com antimicrobianos. Os controles e tratamentos experimentais foram analisados com respeito à cinética fermentativa. O efeito inibitório das substâncias antimicrobianos foi determinado pela variação na curva de acidificação, bem como quanto ao tempo para se atingir o pH final de referência de cada fermentação. Ceftiofur e tetraciclina inibiram a atividade de cultura contendo Streptococcus thermophilus, mesmo quando empregados em concentrações abaixo de seus respectivos LMR. A cultura composta por Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis e Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris foi inibida pelos antimicrobianos ceftiofur e gentamicina, mesmo quando empregados em concentrações abaixo dos respectivos LMR. Ceftiofur também inibiu a cultura mista de Streptococcus thermophilus e Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, em concentrações abaixo de seu LMR. Assim, os resultados do presente estudo indicam que concentrações abaixo do LMR de antimicrobianos em leite podem interferir negativamente na atividade fermentativa de bactérias lácticas. / The presence of antimicrobial residues in milk represents a serious public health problem. For this reason, some legal measures have been taken by the governments, as a sale of antimicrobial drugs under medical or veterinary medical prescription, observation of Good Agricultural Practices, and the definition of maximum residue limits (MRLs) in foods of animal origin. However, the established MRL do not take into account effects on technology and manufacturing of dairy products, but only the protection of public health. Under the technological aspect, lactic bacteria are indispensable in the production of fermented dairy products, because promote controlled acidification and improve the texture and flavor of the product. Thus, the guiding hypothesis of this study is that antimicrobial residues in milk, even below the MRL, are capable of negatively altering the fermentative response of lactic bacteria. Five antimicrobials (amoxicillin, ceftiofur, gentamicin, sulfamethazine and tetracycline, representing the five main antimicrobial groups included in the National Plan for the Control of Residues and Contaminants of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), in five different concentrations (0, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.25 of the respective MRL), which were tested against three commercial lactic cultures, DELVO® FRESH FC-211 (Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis e Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris), DELVO® CHEESE CP-101 (Streptococcus thermophilus) and DELVO® FRESH YS-131 (Lactobacillus bulgaricus e Streptococcus thermophilus). Widely used in the manufacture of cheeses and yogurts. The milk came from three different animals, proven untreated with antimicrobials. Experimental controls and treatments were analyzed with respect to fermentative kinetics. The inhibitory effect of the antimicrobial substances was determined by the variation in the acidification curve as well as the time to reach the final reference pH of each fermentation. Ceftiofur and tetracycline inhibited the culture activity containing Streptococcus thermophilus, even when employed at concentrations below their respective MRL. The culture composed of Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis and Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris was inhibited by ceftiofur and gentamicin antimicrobials, even when used at concentrations below their MRL. Ceftiofur also inhibited the mixed culture of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, at concentrations below its MRL. Thus, the results of the present study indicate that concentrations below the antimicrobial MRL in milk may negatively interfere with the fermentative activity of lactic acid bacteria.

Du fait de problèmes de santé publique, l’industrie agroalimentaire doit réduire la quantité de sel et de matière grasse dans les aliments, et donc dans les charcuteries. Lors de la fabrication des saucissons secs, une diminution combinée des taux de sel et de matière grasse animale peut se traduire par des problèmes de stabilité microbiologique, des défauts d’arôme et de texture dus à des modifications physicochimiques et biochimiques. Dans ce contexte, les objectifs de cette thèse étaient : (1) d’étudier l’impact d’une réduction directe des teneurs en sel et en matière grasse animale sur les évolutions physicochimiques et biochimiques au sein des produits, (2) d’identifier les composés aromatiques responsables de l’arôme du saucisson sec, ainsi que leurs origines, (3) de développer de nouvelles formulations de saucissons secs à teneurs réduites en sodium et en acides gras saturés, et (4) d’étudier les transferts d’eau et sel et de développer une isotherme de sorption spécifique pour le saucisson sec. L’étude de l’effet d’une réduction directe combinée a mis en évidence la difficulté de fabriquer des saucissons secs à teneurs réduites en sel et en matière grasse animale, sans modifier les évolutions physicochimiques et biochimiques. Une identification des composés volatils odorants de saucissons secs de haut de gamme a permis de montrer que l’aromatisation par l’ail et le poivre noir pouvait être un levier technologique permettant d’améliorer la qualité aromatique des saucissons secs allégés en sel et en matière grasse animale. L’impact de l’aromatisation et d’une substitution partielle combinée du sel par le chlorure de potassium et du gras de bardière de porc par l’huile de tournesol oléique sur les propriétés physicochimiques, les réactions biochimiques et les attributs sensoriels de saucissons secs, a été étudié. Cette étude a montré le rôle important de l’aromatisation qui agit en introduisant des molécules aromatiques qui rehaussent l’acceptabilité des produits par les consommateurs, en tant qu’exhausteur de la perception du goût salé et aussi, sur les processus fermentaires qui vont conditionner l’aspect et la texture finale du produit. La substitution partielle combinée est une solution efficace pour conserver au mieux la qualité organoleptique des saucissons, en permettant, d’une part, d’éviter les défauts texturaux et sensoriels liés aux modifications physicochimiques, protéolytiques et lipolytiques générés par une réduction directe combinée, et d’autre part, d’améliorer l’arôme du produit en rehaussant les niveaux d’oxydations lipidique et protéique. L’étude des transferts d’eau et de sel a mis en évidence une migration du sel vers le cœur du saucisson, et a permis de déterminer des valeurs de diffusivité apparente de l’eau en surface de ces produits. Il a été montré qu’une forte réduction en matière grasse réduisait la diffusivité de l’eau à la surface du saucisson. Une isotherme de sorption spécifique permettant de prédire l’aw en fonction des teneurs en eau, en lipides et en sel a été construite en adaptant un modèle de Ross établi pour la gélatine salée et grasse. / Because of public health problems, the food industry must lower sodium and animal fat contents in all food products, therefore in cured meat products. During dry-fermented sausage manufacture, a combined reduction both in salt and animal fat contents may induce microbial safety problems and textural and aroma defects due to physical-chemical and biochemical changes. On account of that, this work of thesis aims (1) to investigate the impact of a direct reduction on the salt and animal fat contents on the physical-chemical and biochemical evolutions in the products, (2) to identify the aromatic compounds responsible for the aroma of dry-fermented sausage, and their origins, (3) to develop new nutritionally-improved formulations of dry-fermented sausages with less sodium and saturated fatty acids, and (4) to study the impact of lipid and sodium chloride contents on water transfers in dry-fermented sausages and to build a specific sorption isotherm curve for dry sausages. The study of the effect of a combined direct reduction highlighted the difficulty of manufacturing sodium-reduced fat-reduced dry sausages, without affecting the physical-chemical and biochemical evolutions. Identification of odorous volatile compounds of high quality dry sausages showed that flavouring, especially garlic and black pepper, could be a good solution for improving the aromatic quality of salt-reduced fat-reduced dry-fermented sausages. The impact of flavouring and of a combined salt and animal fat replacement by potassium chloride and oleic sunflower oil, respectively, on physical-chemical properties, biochemical reactions and sensory attributes of dry-fermented sausages was then studied. This specific study showed the crucial role played by flavouring which introduces aromatic molecules that enhance the product acceptability by consumers, which acts as an enhancer of the saltiness perception and which improves the product appearance and texture by boosting the fermentation process. Consequently, the combined partial substitution is an efficient solution to preserve at best the organoleptic quality of the products, allowing, on one hand, avoiding the textural and sensory defects related to physical-chemical, proteolytic and lipolytic modifications induced by a combined direct reduction, and on the other hand, enhancing the product aroma by increasing the levels of lipid and protein oxidations. The study on water and salt transfers highlighted a salt diffusion towards the dry sausage core, and made it possible to determine values of apparent water diffusivity at the sausage surface. We demonstrated that a strong reduction in animal fat content significantly lowered the water diffusivity value at the product surface. A specific sorption isotherm curve based on a modified Ross model was built, allowing dry-fermented sausages water activity to be calculated as a function of water, fat and salt contents.

Egtvedflickans bärmölska – om bryggprocessen för fermenterade blanddrycker under sydskandinavisk äldre bronsålder. The Braggot of the Egtved Girl- the brewing process of Early Bronze Age mixed fermented beverages in South Scandinavia. Abstract The residues of an alcoholic drink containing honey, wheat, myrica gale and berries in the oak log coffin of the Egtved barrow from the Early Bronze Age in Denmark is an example of prehistoric European mixed fermented beverages. Drawing analog inference from archaeological, historic and ethnographic sources by method of Chaine Operatoire this thesis constructs a schematic model of the brewing process of this drink and classify it as an ancient braggot. Keywords: Chaine Operatoire, ancient beer, analogy, mead, nordic grog, boiling stones.

PhD (Food Science) / Department of Food Science and Technology / Finger millet (FM) [Eleusine coracana] is an underutilised cereal grain used as a food source in South Africa. Increased research interest in FM has span over the years owing to its unique nutritional and bioactive composition. Following the recent interest in natural curative substances over their synthetic counterparts in the treatment of food dependent diseases, FM has shown potential nutraceutical effects. Some important health effects like antidiabetic, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties have been reported in recent trials with FM. In view of the increasing utilisation and application of FM in the region of Thulamela Municipality, Vhembe District of South Africa, two common indigenous FM varieties (brown and dark brown) were obtained and analysed for their physicochemical properties, levels of minerals, phytic acid, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities. For this process, malted non-alcoholic beverages were produced and analysed for their physicochemical properties, levels of phenolic compounds, and total phenolics and antioxidant activities. FM grains were soaked, germinated and kilned at an interval of 24 h for 96 h, using sorghum as an external reference. Mineral composition of the FM and sorghum samples were analysed using an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS), and atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). Identification and quantification of phenolic compounds were performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS). All experiments were performed in triplicate except for the UPLC-MS analysis of the malted non-alcoholic beverages that was done in duplicate. Data were analysed by one way analysis of variance, and the mean values were separated by Duncan’s multiple comparison test using SPSS version 24.0. Data showed that the FM varieties were rich in macro- and micro- or trace elements. The macro-elements calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and sulphur were found in high amounts ranging from 1597.37 mg/ kg – 6775.03 mg/ kg; iron, zinc, strontium and silicon were found in significant amounts in the range 21.47 mg/ kg – 55.67 iii mg/ kg, copper and boron were found in low amounts (2.2 mg/ kg – 7.7 mg/ kg), along with selenium and cobalt (0.02 mg/ kg – 0.05 mg/ kg). Heavy metals, barium and aluminium were found in the FM varieties. Varietal difference was found to play an important role in the mineral content of the grains during malting. Malting for 24 h reduced mineral content except for sodium. Beyond 48 h of malting, mineral content increased, particularly, for 96 h in FM grain malt. Significant (p < 0.05) increases in the mineral content of FM varieties were noted at 48 h and 96 h of malting. Increase occurred at 72 h of malting for potassium, iron and boron. Malting did not have any effect on the manganese content of the dark brown FM; however, it increased the manganese content at 48 h of malting for brown FM. Malting for 96 h significantly (p < 0.05) reduced sodium content. Consecutive decrease in phytic acid content of the grains was not recorded with durations in malting time. Although statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed, malting did not result in too much change in the physicochemical properties of the grains. Several flavonoids, catechin, epicatechin, quercetin, taxifolin, and hesperitin were isolated, whilst protocatechuic acid was the only phenolic acid detected in the unmalted and malted FM. Increases in catechin, epicatechin and protocatechuic acid were observed for 72 and 96 h malt of brown FM with similar observations recorded for sorghum. Complete loss of taxifolin, catechin, and hesperitin were noted with malting time. FM grains exhibited 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2՛-azinobis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging action and iron reducing activities. Increased iron reducing activity alongside ABTS radical scavenging activity was recorded with malting time. A fermentation-time dependent decrease in the pH of the non-alcoholic beverages, with a corresponding increase in sugar content were recorded. A similar decrease was also recorded for the viscosities of the beverages. The FM malt beverages were found to contain a higher amount of citric acid compared to the sorghum malt beverage. A decrease in the citric acid content with fermentation time was noted in the grain malt beverages fermented with Lactobacillus fermentum, particularly for the iv FM beverage. The phenolic compounds detected in the FM malt beverages fermented with the grain microbial flora and Lactobacillus fermentum were protocatechuic acid, catechin and epicatechin. Taxifolin and kaempferol along with the earlier mentioned compounds were detected in the sorghum malt beverage. Catechin was found in higher amount compared to other phenolic compounds in the FM and sorghum malt beverages. FM malt beverages were found to contain a higher amount of total phenolics compared to the beverage prepared from sorghum malt. Fermentation with the grains’ microbial flora and L. fermentum resulted in reduced total phenolics of FM and sorghum malt beverages, particularly after 24 h of fermentation. A fermentation-time dependent decrease in total phenolics of FM beverages fermented with L. fermentum was noted. Fermentation within 24 - 48 h using the grain microbial flora showed higher total individual phenolic compounds for the dark brown FM and sorghum, compared to other fermentation periods. Fermentation of the beverages for 24 h retained a higher amount of the total phenolics compared to other fermentation periods, especially for the L. fermentum beverages. Reduced total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the beverages were noted at 24 h of fermentation for the two microbial sources. Significant (p < 0.05) increases in total phenolics were observed within 72 – 96 h of fermentation of the brown FM malt beverage with the grains’ microbial flora. Fermentation for 72 h and 96 h with L. fermentum increased the total phenolic content of the brown FM. Increase in total flavonoid content (TFC) of brown FM malt beverage was noted at 72 h fermentation for both microbial sources. Unlike with L. fermentum, no significant (p > 0.05) change in TFC was observed for the dark brown FM beverage after 24 h fermentation with the grains’ microbial flora. Beverages exhibited DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging action and iron reducing activities, which were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced at 96 h fermentation for both microbial sources. The 24 h fermented beverage retained a higher amount of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and had higher antioxidant activity compared to other fermentation periods for both microbial sources. The study shows that FM is a rich source of essential minerals and v phenolic compounds, and demonstrates that 72 to 96 h of malting has a positive effect on minerals and certain phenolic compounds over the 48 h malting period widely used for preparation of FM malt. The presence of hesperitin in FM grain was established. A new method was developed for the production of FM non-alcoholic beverage with measurable amounts of health-promoting compounds. An ideal fermentation period (24 h) for FM malt non-alcoholic beverage production with enhanced health-promoting compounds, using Lactobacillus fermentum was demonstrated. Fermentation limit (96 h) for production of FM malt beverage using either the grain microbial flora or L. fermentum was confirmed. These findings provide a rationale for increased utilisation of FM as a functional food grain, and its use as malt in production of non-alcoholic beverage for health promotion and wellness. / NRF