Starter culture refers to a group of microorganisms that are added to a food product to initiate fermentation. These microorganisms help to convert the existing sugars in the food into lactic acid, which helps to preserve the food and give it a unique flavor and texture. There are many different types of starter cultures that are used in various types of foods. Some synonyms for starter culture include fermentation cultures, inoculants, bacterial starters, and fermentation starters. It is important to choose the correct starter culture for the specific food product to ensure that the fermentation process is successful and that the final product has the desired properties.