Lactic acid bacteria based fermentation strategy to improve phenolic bioactive-linked functional qualities of select chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties

Abstract

Chickpea is a rich source of dietary protein and human health promoting phenolic bioactives and globally used as food and food ingredients in contemporary and ethnic cuisines. This makes chickpea an excellent target as source of functional food ingredients for high-value and health-focused food and nutraceutical applications. Important specific interest is targeting counter measures to health risks associated with non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs). Therefore, beneficial lactic acid bacteria (LAB) based fermentation strategy was recruited to improve phenolic-bioactive linked antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic properties of select chickpea varieties (Myles, CDC-Anna, Dwelley, and B-90) which were initially screened for high baseline phenolic content. Aqueous extracts of chickpea flour were fermented with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum for 72 h. Total soluble phenolic (TSP) content, specific phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, anti-hyperglycemic property relevant α-amylase and α-glucosidase, and anti-hypertensive property relevant angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities of unfermented (control), and fermented (with natural acidic pH and adjusted neutral pH) samples were analyzed using rapid in vitro assay models at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h fermentation time points. Overall, TSP content slightly decreased over time, while total antioxidant activity improved with fermentation and specifically at 24 h time point. Higher, α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory activities were also observed in fermented samples with natural acidic pH. However, anti-hypertensive relevant ACE inhibitory activity was only found in unfermented samples. Therefore, results indicated that LAB-based fermentation can be targeted strategically to improve antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic relevant functional qualities in select chickpea varieties supporting NCD-linked health-focused food ingredient applications.