Plant-Based Beverages from Germinated and Ungerminated Seeds, as a Source of Probiotics, and Bioactive Compounds with Health Benefits—Part 1: Legumes

Abstract

Consumption of plant-based milk replacers has increased in recent years due to health benefits, benefits attributed mainly to the content of phenolic compounds, fatty acids, or bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity. In this context, we proposed to obtain two types of less studied plant-based beverages, namely lupine and chickpea beverages, as well as the possibility of getting these beverages using germinated seeds and even obtaining probiotic drinks through fermentation with Lactobacillus plantarum 299v. To evaluate the quality of the obtained products, we determined their content of proteins, fatty acids, organic acids, volatile compounds, and phenolic compounds. We evaluated the antioxidant activity of the obtained herbal drinks, and a load of probiotic microorganisms present after the fermentation process. Both lupine and chickpeas are legumes with high protein content and a range of health benefits. Fermentation with L. plantarum introduces probiotic properties and enhances the nutritional profile of these beverages. Plant-based beverages inoculated with L. plantarum can offer a convenient way to incorporate probiotics into plant-based diets, providing consumers with the benefits of both plant-based nutrition and probiotic supplementation.