Chapter 4 - Application of biosurfactant in the production of beverages

Abstract

Beverage or “drinks” inclusively stands for various consumable liquids, such as soft drinks, juices, milk derivatives, alcohols, beers, and hot liquids such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate, caffeinated drinks, etc. In contemporary times, various other types of beverages are produced for purposes such as immunization, personal care, and social celebrations, etc., with the main aim of compensation of thirst and balancing electrolytic equilibrium in the body system. With the evolution of health science, more consciousness regarding health and wellness has spread among people, and modification of traditional beverages is now a demand. Consumers around the globe are looking for drinks that are more sophisticated, more natural, and authentic. The definition of new generation food invokes more “green” and less synthetic foods for consumption, which includes lowering of addition of sugars, synthetic flavors, and chemicals. The demand for add-on benefits such as promotion of immunity, fitness, and overall wellness without altering taste is on top. To fulfill all these demands, the formulation of beverages needs a holistic understanding of science and technology of production and also alternative biomolecules that may replace the synthetic chemicals used in beverages. In this context, the most potential candidate in modern science has recognized is biosurfactants (BSs). BSs are termed as “new generation bio-chemicals,” because of their excellent properties, which include the least toxicity, effective environmental compatibility, efficient biodegradability, enhanced foaming property, advanced selectivity, specificity at exciting temperature, pH, and salinity; also, for their facility to be produced from renewable feedstock. In this book chapter, we have extensively discussed the application of both microbial-assisted BSs and plant-based BSs, in the production of various types of beverages. BSs act as emulsifiers, antioxidants, antimicrobials, and antiadhesives. Each application is discussed with scientific documentation and examples. The real-time commercial applications and their add-on benefits to promote human health have also been discussed in this book chapter. The recent market reports along with prospects of these BSs in the beverage industry have also been reported for the benefit of readers.