Fermentation of Colored Quinoa Seeds with Neurospora intermedia to Obtain Oncom-Type Products of Favorable Nutritional and Bioactive Characteristics

In this research, colored quinoa seeds were subjected to a modified oncom-type processing (precooking followed by solid-state fermentation with Neurospora intermedia) to obtain convenient food products of improved parameters. Compared with the raw material, the products contained a higher level of protein (on average by 44%, with an advantageous essential amino acid profile) and fiber (by 71%) but a lower amount of inositol phosphates (by 50%, with an increased share of InsP3 fraction in the profile). Fermented quinoa was enriched in carotenoids (6.5-fold) and riboflavin (fivefold). The antioxidant potential of oncom was also improved in respect to antiradical activity (on average by 39%) and reducing power. Of the red and black quinoa, the former substrate was processed into a product of better quality, containing a higher level of protein (214 g/kg dry matter [DM]), fiber (234 g/kg DM), carotenoids (81 mg/kg DM), and riboflavin (8 mg/kg DM), as well as antiradical activity (IC50 in ABTS⋅+ and DPPH⋅ assa...