Use of Bacillus spp. as beneficial fermentation microbes in baking

The development of minimally processed baked goods is dependent on new "clean label" functional ingredients that allow substitution of additives without compromising quality. We investigated the use of fermentation with Bacillus spp. as a novel approach to improve bread quality. Bacillus velezensis FUA2155 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Fad WE ferments were prepared using white wheat flour, wheat bran or buckwheat, and were added at a level of 2.5–20 % to bread dough. Ropy spoilage of bread was controlled by sourdough addition at a level of 10 or 20 %. The volume of white wheat bread and wheat bran bread increased by 47.4 and 62.5 % respectively with 2.5 % Bacillus ferments. Bread shelf-life was prolonged by the Bacillus ferment only at higher dosages that also reduced bread volume. The use of unfermented or sourdough fermented buckwheat improved bread volume and delayed mould spoilage. The characterization of water-soluble polysaccharides from sourdoughs and Bacillus ferments revealed that solubilization of arabinoxylans contributed to the increase in volume after fermentation of wheat but not after fermentation of buckwheat. In conclusion, Bacillus fermentation can be used to improve bread quality, adding to the diversity of microbes that are suitable for baking applications.