Figure 4.

Metabolic traits of main microbial groups present in aguamiel and during pulque fermentation. Main metabolic traits comprise homo- and heterofermentative lactic acid metabolism by LAB. Production of ethanol by Saccharomyces, non-Saccharomyces yeasts, and Z. mobilis. Acetic acid metabolism. Extracellular polysaccharide synthesis resulting in the synthesis of dextran and levan polymers by Leuconostoc sp. and Z. mobilis (levan). Microorganisms and metabolic pathways involved in the amino acid production, vitamins, and some antimicrobial compounds remain to be determined. Functional properties such as prebiotic and probiotic activities are related to fructooligosaccharide content in aguamiel and pulque or produced by LAB such as Leuconostoc sp. Probiotic properties are related to diverse LAB identified as Lactobacillus sp. and Leuconostoc sp.