Microbial technologies for improving the flavor of beverages

  • LIU Yizhi ,
  • WU Mengjie ,
  • WANG Xiangru ,
  • WANG Xiangqian ,
  • YU Yao ,
  • YANG Yixiao ,
  • YANG Chunzhe ,
  • CAI Zhonghua ,
  • ZHOU Jin
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  • 1(Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518052, China)
    2(China Resources C'estbon Beverage (China) Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518052, China)
    3(The Key Laboratory of Marine Microbial Ecology and Applied Technology in Guangdong Colleges, Shenzhen 518055, China)

Received date: 2025-09-01

  Revised date: 2025-12-23

  Online published: 2026-09-10

Abstract

Beverage flavor is a critical determinant of consumer preference and market competitiveness.With rising demand for natural and diversified flavor profiles, fermentation-based modulation strategies employing lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, and acetic acid bacteria are attracting increasing attention.This review synthesizes current understanding of how microbial primary and secondary metabolism shape acidity, mouthfeel, and aroma profiles, and examines precision-control strategies including rationally constructed microbial consortia and sequential inoculation, immobilized and continuous fermentation, enzymatic co-regulation, and online intelligent monitoring.Recent advances in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering for the targeted enhancement of key flavor compounds are assessed.Major technical bottlenecks are identified, including incomplete elucidation of aroma biosynthetic pathways, limited insight into interspecies interaction mechanisms, and challenges in safety risk management.Future directions are outlined around the integration of multi-omics online analysis, AI-based prediction, and intelligent fermentation platforms, providing a systematic theoretical and technical reference for improving beverage flavor quality and supporting high-quality industrial development.

Cite this article

LIU Yizhi , WU Mengjie , WANG Xiangru , WANG Xiangqian , YU Yao , YANG Yixiao , YANG Chunzhe , CAI Zhonghua , ZHOU Jin . Microbial technologies for improving the flavor of beverages[J]. Food and Fermentation Industries, 2026 , 52(16) : 405 -415 . DOI: 10.13995/j.cnki.11-1802/ts.044379

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