foods Review Current Functionality and Potential Improvements of Non-Alcoholic Fermented Cereal Beverages 1 2, 2 2 Maria Valentina Ignat , Liana Claudia Salant, ă * , Oana Lelia Pop , Carmen Rodica Pop , 2 1 1 1 Maria Tofană , Elena Mudura , Teodora Emilia Coldea , Andrei Bors, a and Antonella Pasqualone 3 1 Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
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[email protected]; Tel.: +40-264-596-384 Received: 30 June 2020; Accepted: 30 July 2020; Published: 1 August 2020 Abstract: Fermentation continues to be the most common biotechnological tool to be used in cereal-based beverages, as it is relatively simple and economical. Fermented beverages hold a long tradition and have become known for their sensory and health-promoting attributes. Considering the attractive sensory traits and due to increased consumer awareness of the importance of healthy nutrition, the market for functional, natural, and non-alcoholic beverages is steadily increasing all over the world.