In this study we compared the influences of fermentation by pure cultures of two strains of lactic acid bacteria and two strains of yeast and natural fermentation on the quality of instant rice noodles. The results showed that the highest tensile stress, hardness, elasticity, cohesiveness, chewiness, resilience and water absorption rate and the lowest cooking loss were obtained after 36-48 h fermentation by Lactobacillus plantarum CSL23 among the four strains tested. By contrast, 48 h fermentation by L. fermentum CSL30 provided the second highest tensile stress, elasticity, cohesion, resilienc...