Antiradical and antimicrobial properties of fermented red chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) by-products

Discarded leaves of red chicory (Radicchio “Rosso di Chioggia” IGP) were fermented with one Saccharomyces yeast and four lactic acid bacteria chosen on the basis of their ability to grow on plant material without any need of supplements. Antiradical and antimicrobial activities of the resulting products were assessed. Among the strains tested, Lactobacillus plantarum and L. hilgardii gave the best performances and also provided fermented substrates with antiradical and antimicrobial activities. In particular the latter compounds were found only in fermented samples, confirming that the choice of appropriate microorganisms for fermentation could be useful when the aim is to target specific functional foods starting from by-products or waste material.