Fermented soy milk with cholesterol-lowering potential: Probiotics screening, physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity and volatile composition

In recent years, probiotics and soybean foods have been shown to have cholesterol-lowering properties. However, the unique soybean flavor limits the popularity of soy milk (water extract of soybeans), but probiotics fermentation has been confirmed to reduce soybean flavors and improve the cholesterol-lowering ability. In this study, we obtained a potential probiotic strain (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P101) via the investigation of cholesterol-lowering properties, probiotic properties, safety, and fermented soy milk performance. Furthermore, we found that P101 fermentation improved the antioxidant activity and texture of soy milk. Subsequent analysis revealed that P101 fermentation enhanced the cholesterol-lowering ability of soy milk through improved isoflavone bioavailability and reduced cholesterol solubility. Moreover, P101 fermentation increased the level of ester aromatic substances (hexyl methanoate) while decreasing the content of soybean flavor substances (1-octene-3-alcohol and hexanal). Finally, we assessed the storage stability of fermented soy milk and found its quality remained consistent when stored at 4 °C for 20 days. Consequently, it can serve as a cholesterol-lowering alternative to cow's milk.