5. Antifungal lactic acid bacteria as biopreservation agent
Fungal growth is the most frequent cause of spoilage in bakery products mainly due to Aspergillus, Fusarium, and
Penicillium genera. Statistics show that Argentinean small factories register losses in packaged bread as high as 20-
40%, mainly due to the lack of good manufacture practices in addition to the warm climate in this country [29]. In
addition to the great economic loses derived from the presence of mould, another concern is the potential mycotoxin
production that may cause public health problems [30].
5.1 Fungi contamination control in bakery products
5.1.1 Conventional methods
The preservation of baked products includes suitable packaging techniques (such as modified atmospheres) [31] and the
application of chemical conservatives. Currently, the protection of baked goods from fungal spoilage is mainly reached
through the use of organic acids as inhibitors such as propionic, sorbic, acetic and benzoic acids and some of their salts
[32]. Present trends in the bakery industry have included the desire for high-quality foods, which are minimally
processed and do not contain chemical preservatives. For this reason, the level of additives have been reduced in the
new EU regulations, allowing the concentrations of propionate, the most commonly used, up to 0.3% (wt/wt) for
packaged sliced breads. However, fungal growth still occurs in these conditions, meaning that the food preservation is
not guaranteed [33].