Nutritional, functional and microbiological characteristics of Jordanian fermented green Nabali Baladi olives

Abstract

The quality characteristics of green olives produced by the traditional spontaneous fermentation method in Jordan have never been studied. We investigated the nutritional, functional, and microbiological characteristics of Jordanian fermented green Nabali Baladi olives (GNBFO). Proximate composition, fatty acids, and total polyphenols were determined by standard protocols. Cultivable microflora was monitored over 3 months of fermentation. Isolated microorganisms were identified by molecular sequencing and in vitro probiotic traits were tested. GNBFO contained fiber (3g⁄100g), total polyphenols (306mg⁄100g), oil (19.3g ⁄100g), and oleic acid (70%). Yeast strains (Candida diddensiae and Candida naeodendra) were predominant and showed acid (pH=2.5) and bile salt (0.1% and 0.3%) resistant and high adhesion ability (ca∼107CFU/ml) to intestinal cell lines; they were positive to catalase and negative to lipase and none possessed antimicrobial activity against selected pathogens. Lactic acid bacteria were not detected. In conclusion, the GNBFO have promising functional characteristics as they contain valuable nutrients, antioxidants, and yeast strains with potential probiotic traits.