Proteolytic activity of sourdough bacteria

Summary

Proteolytic activity during the fermentation of sourdough results in an increase in amino acid content. The proteolysis is caused by flour enzymes, microbial enzymes of flour and by sourdough bacteria. The results indicate that the lactic acid bacteria of sourdough are important for proteolytic activity during the fermentation of sourdough. This proteolytic activity depends on the species of bacteria. Homo- and heterofermentative sourdough bacteria effect different amino acid spectra. Qualitative and quantitative differences in sulphur-containing, cyclic and hydroxy amino acids have been observed. The proteolytic process can be influenced by fermentation conditions, especially the temperature. A lesser effect is observed in the dough yield (flour-water relationship). From experiments with different strains and species of lactic acid bacteria, it is concluded that only one third of the proteolytic activity in sourdough is based on proteases from the flour.