Flavour profile of idli batter prepared from defined microbial starter cultures

Idli is a traditional cereal/legume-based naturally fermented steamed product with a soft and spongy texture which is highly popular and widely consumed as a snack food item in India. The predominant fermentation microflora comprises lactic acid bacteria and yeasts and causes an improvement in the nutritional, textural and flavour characteristics of the final product. The flavour profile of idli batter prepared with initial levels of 2 × 10⁴ c.f.u. g⁻¹ of Candida versatilis CFR 505 and 2 × 10¹ c.f.u. g⁻¹ of Pediococcus pentosaceus CFR 2123 in 500 g idli batter, packed in polyester polylaminate pouches and stored at 30 ± 2 °C was periodically analysed by GC-MS. The desirable flavour compounds such as ketones, diols and acids were found to be present upto 8 days of storage, whereas undesirable flavours like sulphurous and oxazolidone compounds, ethanone and thiazole appeared in the batter subsequent to 6 days of storage. The sensory attributes of idlis (final product) prepared from the stored batter related well to the determined flavour profile. The present study appeared to indicate that the flavour profile of traditional fermented foods can be a reliable qualitative and quantitative parameter for objective assessment. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.