Abstract
Miang is a traditional fermented food made from Assam tea leaves and consumed as a snack. This study investigated the underground Miang fermentation process practiced by the Luar ethnic group in Laos, specifically examining the nutritional composition and microbial dynamics. Lactic acid bacteria and yeast were dominant in the fermentation process, reaching 8.43 and 8.50 log CFU/g after one week before gradually declining, while the coliform bacterial count was at 5.31 log CFU/g in the initial week but became undetectable in the later stages of fermentation. Next-generation sequencing identified Firmicutes (75.02%) and Proteobacteria (23.51%) as the primary phyla. Bacterial genera included Lactobacillus (73.36%) and Acetobacter (21.06%), with fungi mainly represented by Pichia (85.52%) and Candida (13.45%). Fundamental microbes such as Lactobacillus and Acetobacter were predominantly present, alongside Pichia and Candida, in the fungal communities. Microbial activities played a crucial role in generating essential enzymes for Miang's transformation. The nutritional transformation appears to be complete at 5 weeks of fermentation. The moisture content in the final products was approximately 74% and correlated with a change in nitrogen-free extract (NFE) and crude fiber. The fat content showed a slight increase from 1.3% to 2.52%, but protein content slightly declined from 17.21% to 16.05%, whereas ash content did not change significantly. Key polysaccharide-degrading enzymes, particularly pectinase and β-mannanase, were revealed and peaked at 48.32 and 25.32 U/g Miang, respectively. The total polyphenols increased from 103.54 mg/g dry Miang to 144.19-155.52 mg/g during fermentation. The lowered IC50 value indicated an increase in antioxidant activity. A fermentation period of at least 3 weeks proved to be optimal for enhancing antioxidant properties and bioactive compounds, and mitigating the risk of coliform bacteria.