What You Need to Know
Proteases hydrolyze proteins into peptides and amino acids, amylases cleave starches into maltose and glucose, and pectinases depolymerize pectin into oligogalacturonides. These smaller substrates are rapidly fermented by lactic acid bacteria and yeasts, producing organic acids, CO₂, and flavor compounds. The enzymatic activity is highly temperature and pH dependent, requiring precise control to avoid denaturation or over‑hydrolysis.
The Science
Primary Reaction
Enzymatic hydrolysis of macromolecules (proteins, starches, pectins) to produce smaller substrates for microbial fermentation.