food fermentation single component food fermentation A food fermentation process in which significant amounts of one category of component - either carbohydrates, proteins or fats - is modified through microbial processes. LanguaL curation note: Used for products in which either carbohydrates, proteins or fats were modified through microbial processes. Enzymatic or other biological processes may also be involved. If two or more of these components are modified in significant amounts, index under *FERMENTED/MODIFIED, MULTIPLE COMPONENT*.