Effect of lactic acid bacteria fermentation on spray-dried egg yolk powder: Powder characteristics, structural properties and gastrointestinal digestibility

Preparation of egg yolk powder with high solubility and high gastrointestinal digestibility is important for its effective utilization in the food industry. This study discovered that fermentation of egg yolks by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) resulted in a 54.3% increase in solubility, 110.6% increase in water dispersibility, and improved the stability of the dispersion to sedimentation. Fermentation resulted in smaller average particle size, enhanced hydrolysis of proteins and fats, and a more expansive protein structure in the egg yolk powder. Laser confocal microscopy showed increased hydrolysis of protein and fat in fermented egg yolk powder during simulated digestion, highlighting enhanced digestive properties due to LAB fermentation. This study validated the feasibility of LAB fermentation technology for modifying egg yolk powder, offering valuable insights for its processing and application in the food industry.