Successive fungal solid-state fermentation and UV-B irradiation: A novel strategy to boost bioactive potential and vitamin D2 levels of corn flour

Duru B. N., DOĞAN N., Berktas S., ÇAM M., DOĞAN C.

Food Chemistry, cilt.492, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 492
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.145430
  • Dergi Adı: Food Chemistry
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Aerospace Database, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, EMBASE, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, Metadex, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Biofortification, Corn flour, Hericium erinaceus, Pleurotus eryngii, Solid-state fermentation, UV-B irradiation, Vitamin D₂
  • Yozgat Bozok Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This study introduces a novel biofortification strategy that combines solid-state fermentation (SSF) using edible fungi Pleurotus eryngii and Hericium erinaceus, followed by UV-B irradiation of colonized corn flour, to enhance its vitamin D₂ content and functional properties. UV-B treatment enabled effective photoconversion of ergosterol from both fungal mycelium and the cereal matrix, increasing vitamin D₂ levels up to 18.98 μg/100 g, as confirmed by HPLC. Structural analyses (FTIR, SEM, XRD) revealed reduced starch crystallinity and notable changes in surface morphology. Antioxidant capacity improved significantly, with DPPH radical scavenging activity increasing from 8.61 to 13.72 mg TE/100 g. Techno-functional properties were also enhanced, including water absorption index (from 2.16 to 3.41 g/g) and solubility index (from 0.88 % to 1.63 %). Furthermore, SSF increased the concentration of free amino acids (from 0.05 to 0.31 g/100 g) and bioactive peptides (from 193 to 474 mg/100 g), indicating improved nutritional quality. These findings highlight a sustainable biofortification strategy for developing functional foods enriched with vitamin D₂ and other health-promoting biomolecules, offering a value-added use for agro-industrial substrates.