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ABSTRACT: To select appropriate micro-organisms to be used as starter culture for reliable and reproducible fermentation of Lafun.
A total of 22 cultures consisting of yeast, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and Bacillus cereus strains predominant in traditionally fermented cassava during Lafun processing were tested as potential starter cultures. In an initial screening, Saccharomyces cerevisiae 2Y48P22, Lactobacillus fermentum 2L48P21, Lactobacillus plantarum 1L48P35 and B. cereus 2B24P31 were found to be the most promising of the cultures and were subsequently tested in different combinations as mixed starter cultures to ferment submerged cassava roots. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, inoculated singly or combined with B. cereus, gave the softest cassava root after 48 h of fermentation according to determination of compression profile and stress at fracture. Overall, sensory quality testing showed that Lafun obtained from S. cerevisiae-fermented cassava gave the most preferred stiff porridge. Saccharomyces cerevisiae 2Y48P22 showed pectinase production in a model system.
The results suggest that S. cerevisiae 2Y48P22 is the most efficient organism for cassava softening during the fermentation. Therefore, it could be combined with LAB and used as starter for Lafun processing.
Starter cultures are made available for controlled fermentation of Lafun.
Journal of Applied Microbiology 10/2010; 109(4):1402-10. · 2.34 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) was processed to produce afitin, iru and sonru, three different types of condiment from Benin. Whereas the fermentation of African locust bean to produce afitin is carried out for 24 h without using any additive, the fermentation for iru and sonru production takes place for 48 h with adding respectively "iku-iru" and "yanyanku" two traditional malvacene bean-based (Hibiscus sabdariffa) additives. The main microorganisms involved in the fermentation of the three condiments were Bacillus spp., although Staphylococcus spp. was found in lower number. The use of additive seems to enhance the initial Bacillus counts in iru and sonru, but also a slightly higher Staphylococcus count was observed. The number of staphylococci did not exceed 10(2) cfu/g and it was below the detection level at the end of the fermentation (24 h) in afitin; it reached a level of about 10(6) cfu/g at 12-18 h in iru and sonru followed by a decrease to about 5 x 10(4) cfu/g after 48 h of fermentation. The final pH and total basic volatile nitrogen content of iru and sonru are higher than those of afitin. Proximate composition changes are similar in both fermenting iru and sonru, but different in afitin, the latter showing a slight decrease of proteins of about 5% whereas for iru and sonru they increased to about 6%. Ash, crude fat and fibre contents also increased during the fermentation in the three products whereas total carbohydrates decreased significantly. Due to their long fermentation time, iru and sonru are very soft products as they are preferred by some consumers whereas afitin is preferred with cotyledons having less soft texture.
International Journal of Food Microbiology 05/2006; 107(3):304-9. · 3.33 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Maize-based weaning foods prepared from whole maize meal or dehydrated fermented maize (ogi) flour fortified with soybean, cowpea or groundbean tempe, with or without the addition of melon seed flour were fed to 40 albino weanling rats. The nutrient quality of the weaning foods was monitored by the measurement of protein efficiency ratio (PER), net protein ratio (NPR), true digestibility (TD), biological value (BV) and net protein utilization (NPU). Amino acid composition and amino acid scores were determined. The weaning foods were also evaluated for sensory properties and acceptability by nursing mothers and their children. Protein efficiency ratio, net protein retention and net protein utilization of the fortified weaning foods were not significantly different (P > 0.05) when compared to casein diet (control). True digestibility of tempe-fortified maize-based weaning foods averaged 85.4 +/- 3.4% compared to 94.4%, for casein diet. Results from sensory analysis showed that relative to tempe-fortified maize-based weaning foods, most mothers preferred Cerelac, a commercial weaning food, and its porridge because of its vanillic flavour and sweet taste. Despite the low scores recorded for aroma and taste of tempe-fortified maize-based weaning foods, most mothers and their children found porridges prepared from these foods acceptable, with a preference for ogi fortified with cowpea tempe. Tempe-fortified maize-based weaning foods had high protein quality and can support the growth of infants in developing countries especially during the critical weaning period (6-12 months). They were comparable to Cerelac, a commercial baby food in colour and texture.
International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition 01/2002; 53(1):15-27. · 1.15 Impact Factor
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Proc. Regional Workshop Traditional African foods - quality and nutrition, A. Westby, P.J.A. Reilly (eds.). Int. Found. Sci., Stockholm, Sweden (1992) 9-18.
