Evaluation of Antimicrobial, Antioxidant Activities, and Nutritional Values of Fermented Foxtail Millet Extracts by Lactobacillus paracasei Fn032

Solid-state bioprocessing of foxtail millet by Lactobacillus paracasei Fn032 is a biotechnological strategy to produce fermented foxtail millet meal with more beneficial components. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant, antimicrobial properties and nutritional values of water extracts from fermented foxtail millet flour and its bran with and without protease. Fermented foxtail millet flour with added protease extract showed higher scavenging ability on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals as well as reducing power than fermented foxtail millet flour and fermented foxtail millet bran extracts. Both extracts, fermented foxtail millet flour and fermented foxtail millet flour with protease, showed significant (P < 0.05) effectiveness inhibition abilities on microbial growth when compared with fermented foxtail millet bran extracts. Amino acid profile revealed that fermented foxtail millet flour with protease, with relatively strongest antioxidant, antimicrobial activity, also had the highest total hydrophobic amino acids content (51.39%) and hydrophobic index (8.47 Kj/mol amino acid residue). Moreover, fermented foxtail millet flour with protease revealed the highest protein content, predicted protein efficiency ratio, and protein digestibility. Molecular weight of the whole extracts varied from 180-5000 Da. Based on the results obtained, fermented foxtail millet flour extracts were relatively effective in the antioxidant, antimicrobial properties assayed and might be potential biological values for application in food products.