Baking mixes which contain flour and have an enhanced shelf life and method and means of preparing same

摘要

A method of preparing a shelf life enhancing composition for baking mixes which contain flour with particular application to batter mixes is provided as well as a microbiological species (Lactobacillus plantarum/pentosus) used in the method. The method comprises forming a starting mixture including flour and water and inoculating same with a culture of the LPP strain micro-organisms; allowing the mixture to ferment in order to produce anti-microbial substances including lactic acid, a peptide and possibly other presently unidentified anti-microbial substances; and terminating the fermentation process and destroying all living cells prior to the pH of the mix decreasing to 3.3 to yield a shelf life enhancing composition. Baking mixes embodying the shelf life enhancing composition are also described.