Smart Fermentation Technologies: Microbial Process Control in Traditional Fermented Foods
Traditional fermented foods are appreciated worldwide for their cultural significance and health-promoting properties. However, traditional fermentation production suffers from many obstacles such as microbial variability, varying quality, and lack of scalability. The implementation of smart ferment...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Fermentation |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5637/11/6/323 |
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| author | Chong Shin Yee Nur Asyiqin Zahia-Azizan Muhamad Hafiz Abd Rahim Nurul Aqilah Mohd Zaini Raja Balqis Raja-Razali Muhammad Ameer Ushidee-Radzi Zul Ilham Wan Abd Al Qadr Imad Wan-Mohtar |
| author_facet | Chong Shin Yee Nur Asyiqin Zahia-Azizan Muhamad Hafiz Abd Rahim Nurul Aqilah Mohd Zaini Raja Balqis Raja-Razali Muhammad Ameer Ushidee-Radzi Zul Ilham Wan Abd Al Qadr Imad Wan-Mohtar |
| author_sort | Chong Shin Yee |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Traditional fermented foods are appreciated worldwide for their cultural significance and health-promoting properties. However, traditional fermentation production suffers from many obstacles such as microbial variability, varying quality, and lack of scalability. The implementation of smart fermentation technologies, including biosensors, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML), hold the key to the optimization of microbial process control, enhance product consistency, and improve production efficiency. This review summarizes modern developments in real-time microbial monitoring, IoT, AI, and ML tailored to traditional fermented foods. Despite significant technical advancements, challenges related to high costs, the absence of standardized frameworks, and access restrictions for small producers remain substantial limitations. This review proposed a future direction prioritizing modular, scalable solutions, open-source innovation, and environmental sustainability. In alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), smart fermentation technologies advance sustainable industry through innovation and serve as a critical bridge between traditional craftsmanship and Industry 4.0, fostering inclusive development while preserving microbial biodiversity and cultural heritage. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9b5b2ffb352e4e3d9b67c77da6ed8ddf |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2311-5637 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Fermentation |
| spelling | doaj-art-9b5b2ffb352e4e3d9b67c77da6ed8ddf2025-08-20T03:27:01ZengMDPI AGFermentation2311-56372025-06-0111632310.3390/fermentation11060323Smart Fermentation Technologies: Microbial Process Control in Traditional Fermented FoodsChong Shin Yee0Nur Asyiqin Zahia-Azizan1Muhamad Hafiz Abd Rahim2Nurul Aqilah Mohd Zaini3Raja Balqis Raja-Razali4Muhammad Ameer Ushidee-Radzi5Zul Ilham6Wan Abd Al Qadr Imad Wan-Mohtar7Functional Omics and Bioprocess Development Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, MalaysiaFunctional Omics and Bioprocess Development Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, MalaysiaFaculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, MalaysiaDepartment of Food Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Selangor, MalaysiaFunctional Omics and Bioprocess Development Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, MalaysiaFunctional Omics and Bioprocess Development Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, MalaysiaBiomass Energy Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, MalaysiaFunctional Omics and Bioprocess Development Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, MalaysiaTraditional fermented foods are appreciated worldwide for their cultural significance and health-promoting properties. However, traditional fermentation production suffers from many obstacles such as microbial variability, varying quality, and lack of scalability. The implementation of smart fermentation technologies, including biosensors, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML), hold the key to the optimization of microbial process control, enhance product consistency, and improve production efficiency. This review summarizes modern developments in real-time microbial monitoring, IoT, AI, and ML tailored to traditional fermented foods. Despite significant technical advancements, challenges related to high costs, the absence of standardized frameworks, and access restrictions for small producers remain substantial limitations. This review proposed a future direction prioritizing modular, scalable solutions, open-source innovation, and environmental sustainability. In alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), smart fermentation technologies advance sustainable industry through innovation and serve as a critical bridge between traditional craftsmanship and Industry 4.0, fostering inclusive development while preserving microbial biodiversity and cultural heritage.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5637/11/6/323smart fermentation technologiesartificial intelligence in fermentationInternet of Thingsmachine learningbiosensorsreal-time microbial monitoring |
| spellingShingle | Chong Shin Yee Nur Asyiqin Zahia-Azizan Muhamad Hafiz Abd Rahim Nurul Aqilah Mohd Zaini Raja Balqis Raja-Razali Muhammad Ameer Ushidee-Radzi Zul Ilham Wan Abd Al Qadr Imad Wan-Mohtar Smart Fermentation Technologies: Microbial Process Control in Traditional Fermented Foods Fermentation smart fermentation technologies artificial intelligence in fermentation Internet of Things machine learning biosensors real-time microbial monitoring |
| title | Smart Fermentation Technologies: Microbial Process Control in Traditional Fermented Foods |
| title_full | Smart Fermentation Technologies: Microbial Process Control in Traditional Fermented Foods |
| title_fullStr | Smart Fermentation Technologies: Microbial Process Control in Traditional Fermented Foods |
| title_full_unstemmed | Smart Fermentation Technologies: Microbial Process Control in Traditional Fermented Foods |
| title_short | Smart Fermentation Technologies: Microbial Process Control in Traditional Fermented Foods |
| title_sort | smart fermentation technologies microbial process control in traditional fermented foods |
| topic | smart fermentation technologies artificial intelligence in fermentation Internet of Things machine learning biosensors real-time microbial monitoring |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5637/11/6/323 |
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