Biological processes of legumes may change their nutritional value of lipids, but there is no research on the fatty acid profile and their position distribution in fermented beverages obtained from germinated bean seeds. The present study aimed to determine the effect of fermentation by Lactobacillus strains on the fatty acid profile and their positional distribution in triacylglycerols of beverage obtained from germinated bean “Piękny Jaś Karłowy” (Phaseolus vulgaris) fermented by Lactobacillus strains. The population of lactobacilli (the pour plate method), pH, the fatty acid profile (gas chromatograph with a flame ionization detector), and the positional distribution of fatty acids in triacylglycerols (GC-FID) were determined before and after the fermentation of received beverages. The fermentation of beverages did not change the lactobacilli population (over 7 log10 CFU/g), but changed pH (to 4.7–3.7 or 5.8–5.6), fatty acid profile, and the positional distribution of fatty acids were observed. The fermentation process contributed to an increase in the share of palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids in the fatty acid profile compared to that in raw bean seeds. The fermentation processes changed the share of individual acids in positions sn–1 and sn–3 depending on Lactobacillus strain used. Compared to non-fermented beverages, in most fermented beverages, a lower share of palmitic and stearic acids, as well as a higher share of oleic acid in the sn–2 were observed.

The current demand for plant-based food indicates that the food market is providing alternatives for products that are currently commercially available. This chapter discusses the possible use of germinated bean seeds as a raw material in the production of substitutes for dairy products, including fermented ones. Beans are a valuable source of easily digestible protein, carbohydrates, minerals, and various vitamins (e.g., B vitamin group). They also contain significant amounts of fiber which affects the proper functioning of the digestive system and antioxidant compounds. The fat content is low and is estimated to be around only 1–2%. However, it is mainly (about 70%) constituted by unsaturated fatty acids, including the polyunsaturated ones such as linoleic acid or linolenic acid, which are desirable in the human diet for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases or cancer. Biological processes such as germination or fermentation may improve the nutritional value of bean seeds (by increasing the content, digestibility, and bioavailability of some nutrients and by eliminating undesirable components) and deliver live cells of prohealth bacteria (lactic acid bacteria, propionic acid bacteria, or bifidobacteria).

Currently, there is a steady trend in the world aimed at finding new raw protein sources and their industrial processing into functional food products. The modern food market is represented among other things by non-alcoholic beverages from plant raw materials (vegetable "milk", fermented plant drinks), combined fermented milk products of complex raw materials, which are becoming popular among consumers and are in high demand among the population. The study shows the possibility of using pea grains of Bashkir Research Institute of Agriculture BashSC RAS (BRIA, Republic of Bashkortostan) varieties in the technology of obtaining fermented products. Consumer qualities, the chemical composition of pea varieties of the BRIA selection (Chishminsky 95, Chishminsky 229, Pamyati Khangildin, Yuldash) and their ability to germinate have been investigated. The possibility of their use for obtaining a plant dispersion intended for manufacturing fermented products from plant raw materials has been established.

The contemporary market of dairy alternatives offers non-alcohol beverages of plant origin, fermented beverages, tofu, etc. Non-alcohol beverages from germinated beans and peas of Russian varieties are new for Russian consumers. This research featured their prospective market demand, key performance criteria, and market capacity. The research featured functional products based on vegetable dispersion from germinated peas and beans of Russian cultivars, e.g. beverages, ice cream, tofu, bakery products, etc. The experiment involved standard qualitative and quantitative methods of marketing research and physicochemical studies. The market analysis of consumer preferences for dairy alternatives established that 29.1% of the population and 70.9% of non-regular customers consistently consume dairy alternatives. The most common segment of population (91.4%) included women aged 20–50. As for the demand, the research provided a ranked list of consumer requirements; each product was tested for compliance with consumer requirements. The Russian bean and pea cultivars were differentiated according to target use. The developed products proved cheaper than their market analogues. In addition, they meet the safety requirements and have fewer calories and more proteins. The new dairy alternatives appeared to have good competitive quality indicators and are likely to have a high market demand.

The article deals with issues related to the rational use of by-products of flour and cereals production. A comparative characteristic of the chemical composition of by-products of cereal production is given and the ways of their rational use are indicated.