Yeast extract: composition, preparation, use

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

It is not uncommon to see an ingredient called "yeast extract" on the labels of food or cosmetic products. Most consumers believe that this is habitual yeast, but this is not the case. The composition and purpose of this component is absolutely not related to fermentation.

Description

Yeast extracts are formed by processing beer or baker's yeast. After splitting the cells of the biological mass of this product, under the influence of its own enzymes and a temperature of 35 to 40 ° C, the composition of the substance changes. After that, the necessary fractions are selected and pasteurized. Dry yeast extract is also produced in liquid form, sometimes products are dried.

The final composition of the product mostly consists of protein compounds - special amino acids. They are able to enhance the taste and aroma of dishes. Often, at the final stage, spices, s alt, seasonings, herbal extracts are added to the composition to create the necessary taste of the additive.

The vast majority of companies produce yeastextracts with a different flavor base predetermined in the manufacturing recipe. This is also done in order to suppress unwanted flavors and improve the perception of the product.

Product composition

The main components of yeast extract are peptides, nucleotides, amino acids. In turn, amino acids include:

• aspartic acid;
• glutamic acid;
• diaminovaleric acid;
• threonine;
• serine;
• glycine;
• tyrosine;
• proline;
• valine;
• alanine;
• methionine;
• lysine;
• cysteine;
• leucine;
• arginine;
• phenylalanine;
• histidine.

In addition, the supplement contains a relatively large amount of B vitamins (mostly B3 and B5).

Useful properties

Due to its rich composition, bacteriological yeast extract has a number of useful properties.

The list of them is as follows:

1. High content of B vitamins that stimulate cellular energy, so that the skin is actively oxygenated.
2. It has a powerful antioxidant function. Significantly reduces the negative effects of free radicals at the cellular level.
3. By activating the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans, it helps to accumulate and retain water in the skin, thereby increasing its elasticity.
4. Normalizes lipid and protein metabolism,controlling oily or dry skin.
5. Promotes the stimulation and activity of fibroblasts. These are the cells that synthesize collagen and elastin, which are essential for maintaining youthful skin.

Production technology

In production, during the preparation of yeast extract, specially bred, protein-rich types of yeast are used, including bakery, fodder, beer, dairy and other varieties.

Cellular destruction and the secretion of juice associated with this process occurs due to autolysis. Own yeast enzymes decompose the contents of the cells, after which the protein chains break down into peptides, nucleotides, macromolecules, amino acids. The process of adding your own enzymes with nuclease allows you to increase the content of nucleotides. In addition, monophosphate and guanidylic acid are added to the composition, designed to enhance the taste of the final product.

Cell destruction can also be done in other ways - by thermolysis or plasmolysis. In the first case, the yeast cells are heated in water, in the second case, a solution based on sugar and s alt is added to them.

The next stage is the release of the resulting mass from the cellular elements that have not dissolved during the fermentation process by separating the concentrate. Subsequently, it is dried or left unchanged. As a result, a pasty yeast product is formed with a content of 70-80% dry matter orpowder containing 95-97% dry matter.

Flavor

Yeast extract has a s alty taste and is considered a flavor enhancer. It contains in its composition glutamic, inosinated and guanidylic acid. Due to this property, it is widely used in the food industry as an additive in the manufacture of sauces and instant food.

According to the regulation of the "European Council", the extract as a flavored additive may be referred to as "natural". In contrast, the other amino acids above are labeled as "flavors". The FDA allows glutamic acid to be omitted from the extract. However, it is forbidden to indicate on the packaging that the product does not contain monosodium glutamate. It is also not allowed to mention it in the composition of the ingredients, as a spice or spice.

Use in cosmetics

Very often among the components of cosmetics you can find yeast extract. It is mainly used to prevent and combat age-related changes in the skin of the face and body.

Its effectiveness has been observed when incorporated into targeted serums, lotions and creams:

• eliminate the first signs of aging;
• pull up and define facial contours;
• for smoothing facial skin;
• giving a he althy colorskin.

As the best cosmetic products with extract, it is worth highlighting several products from eminent and well-established brands in the market:

1. Advanced Genifique by Lancome. This youth activator product has become a bestseller in the cosmetics industry. In just 7 days, serum manufacturers promise to significantly increase skin youth indicators. Namely: to provide radiance and freshness, purity and smoothness, even tone, increase firmness and tone, density and elasticity, reduce wrinkles. The patented Genifique complex is responsible for the implementation of these goals, as well as the developed symbiosis of prebiotics with yeast and bifidobacteria, which stimulate the synthesis of proteins in the skin.
2. Precision Lifting-Pore Tightening Concentrate by Kiehl's. It is a concentrate with tightening and narrowing pores action. It effectively improves the condition of the skin, increases elasticity. The anti-aging effect is achieved by reducing pores, smoothing wrinkles and lifting. The product contains micro-filtered yeast extract and essential oil of geranium flowers, which preserves collagen and elastin in the deep layers of the skin.
3. Advanced Pigment Corrector, SkinCeuticals. Cream against skin pigmentation caused by hormonal disruptions, UV exposure or inflammation. The product effectively evens out the complexion, eliminates and prevents the appearance of age spots. Yeast extract enhances the protective functions of the skin and increases the activity of cells that synthesize collagen.
4. Re-Plasty Pro-Fillerby Helena Rubinstein. This is a serum for local action on wrinkles. Combines two types of hyaluronic acid and a special ingredient based on yeast. Thanks to him, the skin's own reserves of hyaluronic acid are synthesized.

Medical use

For medical purposes, as a nutrient medium, yeast extract is used to grow bacteria. This helps scientists to conduct research and bacteriological diagnostics in order to improve therapeutic methods for the treatment of bronchopulmonary and other diseases.

Yeast extract agar is also widely used. It is used to analyze various kinds of liquids, including drinking water. As a result of research with this product, the number of bacteria per unit volume and the suitability of water for consumption are determined.

Food Applications

Yeast-based extracts are often used as a base in the manufacture of spreads (a kind of butter, but without cholesterol) with the addition of auxiliary components. In Europe, Australia and America, this food is invariably part of the breakfast.

In addition, as previously noted, the extract is saturated with B vitamins, beneficial acids, including folic, biotin, glycine and others, so it is often included in the diet for medical reasons.