o:8000 Evaluation of Fermentation Effect on Antioxidants Amplification in Dandelion Root Extracts en Abstract: Introduction: Fermentation is a process of partial decomposition of the fermented substrate due to the activity of various microorganisms involved. It is one of the most useful biocatalytic processes that may beneficially improve the bioactivity of plant extracts. Accordingly, this study investigates the fermentation effects of underutilized dandelion root dust (Taraxacum officinale L.) on phenolic content and antioxidant activity potential in the produced extracts. The dandelion root was collected as dust remaining after the processing for the industrial tea blends preparation, thus is classified as a second-rank raw material, possessing low or no commercial value. Regarding the fermentation effects, the focus was on the contributions of various microorganisms, including the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii, a yeast-like fungus Aerobasidium pullulans, and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC® 7469™. Experimental: Fermentation is a process of partial decomposition of the fermented substrate due to the activity of various microorganisms involved. It is one of the most useful biocatalytic processes that may beneficially improve the bioactivity of plant extracts. Accordingly, this study investigates the fermentation effects of underutilized dandelion root dust (Taraxacum officinale L.) on phenolic content and antioxidant activity potential in the produced extracts. The dandelion root was collected as dust remaining after the processing for the industrial tea blends preparation, thus is classified as a second-rank raw material, possessing low or no commercial value. Regarding the fermentation effects, the focus was on the contributions of various microorganisms, including the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii, a yeast-like fungus Aerobasidium pullulans, and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC® 7469™. Results: During the fermentation of dandelion root, a single yeast culture demonstrated the highest efficiency in enhancing the levels of antioxidants in the resulting extracts, significantly outperforming the control sample. Specifically, the probiotic yeast S. boulardii induced a substantial increase in TPC, with a 2.5-fold rise to 68.4 mg GAE/g dm. Additionally, TFC levels increased 2.8 times, reaching 44.9 mg QE/g dm, while the FRAP showed a 3.9-fold increase, totalling 417.2 μmol Fe2+/g dm, when compared to the control. Following S. boulardii, S. cerevisiae emerged as the next most effective yeast for dandelion root fermentation. A combination of L. rhamnosus and S. cerevisiae also showed good performance, although the fermentation with L. rhamnosus alone led to only a negligible increase in the content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. The results of this study are valuable in promoting the value-added fermentation effect in the utilization of dandelion root extracts as supplements in food and pharmaceuticals that offer enhanced health benefits. The approach taps into readily available industrial residues to be creatively exploited in useful and profitable ways. 1552100 978-86-7401-396-0 2025-07-22T12:24:54.713Z 44 no 46 Marija Milić University of Belgrade, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Belgrade , Serbia 46 Suzana Rudić University of Belgrade, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Belgrade , Serbia 46 Snežana Dimitrijević University of Belgrade, Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, Belgrade, Serbia 46 Aneta Buntić Institute of Soil Science 0000-0002-7068-1804 46 Katarina Mihajlovski University of Belgrade, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Belgrade , Serbia 46 Nevena Ilić Innovation Centre of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Belgrade, Serbia 46 Suzana Dimitrijević-Branković University of Belgrade, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Belgrade , Serbia application/pdf 463832 https://unilib.phaidrabg.rs/o:8000 no yes 1 70 92000004 71A05 Book of Abstracts: Biobased future: Green bioprocessing for innovative bioactive products, 16-18 June 2025, Belgrade, Serbia. 118 119 2025