Plant-based meat analogue of soy proteins by the multi-strain solid-state mixing fermentation

In order to mitigate or reduce global environmental concerns, health issues, sustainability and animal welfare issues, artificial meat presents a potential solution to consumers' demand for meat. In this study, strains such as Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Monascus purpureus that can produce meat-like pigments were first identified and used in soy protein plant-base fermentation, where fermentation parameters as well as inoculum size were determined to simulate plant-base meat analogue (PBMA). Meanwhile, the resemblance between the fermented soy products and the fresh meat was examined in terms of color, texture, and flavor characteristics. Furthermore, the addition of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum can perform reassortment and fermentation simultaneously to improve the quality of soy fermentation products in terms of texture and flavor. The results offer a novel way to produce PBMA and also shed light on future research into plant-based meat-like products with the appropriate meat characteristics.