Abstract
Flavor is a crucial factor that influences the food preferences of many consumers, and in recent years, there has been a growing consumer demand for the use of natural and ecologically sustainable flavor compounds in foods. This study investigated the volatile compound production abilities of Saccharomyces cerevisiae TGM10 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii S11 yeasts in sugar beet molasses, a significant by-product of the sugar industry under extended fermentation. The effect of fermentation time on the volatile compound profile was also determined. In fermentation carried out in Erlenmeyer flasks for up to 120 hours, both strains tolerated the medium containing 10% sugar beet molasses well. The volatile compound profiles of samples fermented by each strain for 96 and 120 hours were determined by GC-MS. S. cerevisiae TGM10 yielded a higher-alcohol–dominated profile, whereas S. boulardii S11 produced an ester-dominant profile. Results showed that both strains were capable of producing a variety of pleasant and valuable aroma compounds through the fermentation of sugar beet molasses. Additionally, yeast strain used in fermentation and fermentation time had significant effects on volatile compound profiles. In conclusion, S. cerevisiae TGM10 and S. boulardii S11 showed strong potential for low-cost production of bioaroma additives and might enhance flavor when employed as starter or adjunct cultures in fermented foods.