Kefir alternatives, an innovative source of probiotics: Microbiological, technological, and therapeutical properties
Kefir is a fermented dairy-based drink known for it's numerous health-promoting attributes. To widen kefir's beneficial health properties to a broader group of consumers, research in the area of kefir fermentations based on milk-free raw materials are necessary. Specifically, one of these...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Applied Food Research |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277250222500085X |
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| author | Zuzana Matejčeková Ľubomír Valík |
| author_facet | Zuzana Matejčeková Ľubomír Valík |
| author_sort | Zuzana Matejčeková |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Kefir is a fermented dairy-based drink known for it's numerous health-promoting attributes. To widen kefir's beneficial health properties to a broader group of consumers, research in the area of kefir fermentations based on milk-free raw materials are necessary. Specifically, one of these represents a water kefir-like beverage, an ancient artisanal fermented drink, based on a sucrose medium with fruits, consumed practically all over the world. It's production has primarily occurred in households or on a small scale. Considering the recent market trends and scientific updates, water kefir alternatives could represent an excellent source of probiotics, supporting both healthy consumers and those who avoid dairy. In this review paper, we explained general knowledge about kefir a milk-free alternative, its origin, distribution, production process, microbial diversity and fermentation dynamics, health effects as well potential industrial processing regarding food legislation. This review also offers an updated overview of scientific studies to enhance the current understanding of this topic. The adaptation and good growth of kefir grains in different substrates could result in a wide spectra of unique products with definite sensory features and functional properties. However, the scientific community must follow the rapid progress of innovative probiotic trends, furthermore with a precise understanding of production processes under controlled conditions. Further work is still needed to bring an exact understanding of industry implementation, discussing the stable batches, shelf life and safety, resulting in a product characterized with steady quality at the industrial level. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-eae6f71a0c27411aba5baa7685fee127 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2772-5022 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Food Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-eae6f71a0c27411aba5baa7685fee1272025-08-20T02:07:02ZengElsevierApplied Food Research2772-50222025-06-015110077510.1016/j.afres.2025.100775Kefir alternatives, an innovative source of probiotics: Microbiological, technological, and therapeutical propertiesZuzana Matejčeková0Ľubomír Valík1Corresponding author.; Department of Nutrition and Food Quality Assessment, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava, 812 37 Radlinského 9, Slovak Republic, SlovakiaDepartment of Nutrition and Food Quality Assessment, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava, 812 37 Radlinského 9, Slovak Republic, SlovakiaKefir is a fermented dairy-based drink known for it's numerous health-promoting attributes. To widen kefir's beneficial health properties to a broader group of consumers, research in the area of kefir fermentations based on milk-free raw materials are necessary. Specifically, one of these represents a water kefir-like beverage, an ancient artisanal fermented drink, based on a sucrose medium with fruits, consumed practically all over the world. It's production has primarily occurred in households or on a small scale. Considering the recent market trends and scientific updates, water kefir alternatives could represent an excellent source of probiotics, supporting both healthy consumers and those who avoid dairy. In this review paper, we explained general knowledge about kefir a milk-free alternative, its origin, distribution, production process, microbial diversity and fermentation dynamics, health effects as well potential industrial processing regarding food legislation. This review also offers an updated overview of scientific studies to enhance the current understanding of this topic. The adaptation and good growth of kefir grains in different substrates could result in a wide spectra of unique products with definite sensory features and functional properties. However, the scientific community must follow the rapid progress of innovative probiotic trends, furthermore with a precise understanding of production processes under controlled conditions. Further work is still needed to bring an exact understanding of industry implementation, discussing the stable batches, shelf life and safety, resulting in a product characterized with steady quality at the industrial level.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277250222500085XFermentationWater alternatives to kefirFermented beverageKefir grainsHealth-promoting properties |
| spellingShingle | Zuzana Matejčeková Ľubomír Valík Kefir alternatives, an innovative source of probiotics: Microbiological, technological, and therapeutical properties Applied Food Research Fermentation Water alternatives to kefir Fermented beverage Kefir grains Health-promoting properties |
| title | Kefir alternatives, an innovative source of probiotics: Microbiological, technological, and therapeutical properties |
| title_full | Kefir alternatives, an innovative source of probiotics: Microbiological, technological, and therapeutical properties |
| title_fullStr | Kefir alternatives, an innovative source of probiotics: Microbiological, technological, and therapeutical properties |
| title_full_unstemmed | Kefir alternatives, an innovative source of probiotics: Microbiological, technological, and therapeutical properties |
| title_short | Kefir alternatives, an innovative source of probiotics: Microbiological, technological, and therapeutical properties |
| title_sort | kefir alternatives an innovative source of probiotics microbiological technological and therapeutical properties |
| topic | Fermentation Water alternatives to kefir Fermented beverage Kefir grains Health-promoting properties |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277250222500085X |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT zuzanamatejcekova kefiralternativesaninnovativesourceofprobioticsmicrobiologicaltechnologicalandtherapeuticalproperties AT lubomirvalik kefiralternativesaninnovativesourceofprobioticsmicrobiologicaltechnologicalandtherapeuticalproperties |