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Published on: June 3, 2020
Microbes in Fermentation: Guardians or Threats to Food Safety?
Kong Fei Chai1, Wei Ning Chen1,2,3
1Food Science and Technology Programme, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637459, Singapore.
None:
Fermentation plays a pivotal role in food preservation, with fermentative microbes enhancing food safety and stability. However, improper conditions can introduce risks. This perspective examines the dual role of microbes (the benefits of fermentative microbes and the risks posed under specific conditions) and explores emerging detection and risk assessment technologies, including NAMs and AI, for improving fermented food safety. Combining these innovations and adherence to GMP and GHP is vital in ensuring the safety of fermented products. Leveraging the benefits of microbes while mitigating their risks through scientific, regulatory, and educational interventions will enable fermentation to contribute to global food security.
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Fates of Pyruvate
In aerobic organisms, pyruvate is metabolized via the citric acid cycle to produce reduced coenzymes NADH and FADH2. These coenzymes are then oxidized in the electron transport chain to produce ATP and, in the process, regenerate the NAD+ and FAD. As seen in some cell types and organisms, fermentation...

