Screening Lactic Acid Bacteria from Seaweed for Plant Milk Fermentation: A Preliminary Research

¹ Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Hasanuddin University, 90245 Makassar, Indonesia
² Center of Excellence in Science and Technology on Food Product Diversification, 90245, Makassar, Indonesia
³ Research Group for Post-Harvest Technology and Biotechnology, 90245, Makassar, Indonesia

Abstract

A fascinating opportunity for screening lactic acid bacteria with the potential to ferment plant-based milk production exists in seaweed, a rich source of microbial variety. In this work, marine-derived lactic acid bacteria (LAB) will be identified and used to improve plant milk fermentation, paving the path for healthy and sustainable dairy substitutes. The methods applied in this research including the LAB isolation and identification by performing gram and catalase test. Then, the lactic acid bacteria transferred to fermentation in both plant and dairy milk to observe the ability to ferment plant-based products. It is resulted that the bacteria isolated can ferment the plant-based milk better than the dairy milk, suggesting that the potential of marine lactic acid bacteria to be applied in plant milk-based fermentation.