The use of a starter culture in the fermentation of cassava for the production of "kivunde", a traditional Tanzanian food product.

Three cassava fermentation methods (spontaneous fermentation, back-slopping and the use of starter culture) for the production of kivunde, executed in three trials at 30 degrees C, were compared in terms of cyanide level reduction, microbiology and product quality improvement. Among the isolates from spontaneously fermented cassava batches, four strains were selected on the basis of their enzymatic activities and acid production. All were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum and were used as starters in this study. Lowest residual cyanide levels were detected after 120 h fermentation time in samples fermented with the starter culture and were below the maximum value of 10 mg/kg recommended by the Codex/FAO for cassava flour. This finding seems to be related to the alpha-glucosidase activity of the inoculated strains of which API-zyme (Bio-Merieux) tests showed activities of between 20 and > or = 40 nmol/4 h. The total residual cyanide levels of the spontaneous and back-slopping fermentations at 96 h were respectively 43.5 and 47.7 mg/kg dry weight of cassava. Extension of the fermentation period to 5 days, lead to further substantial reduction in the residual cyanide level in both these processes, but not below the recommended maximum value as in the case of starter culture fermented products. The spontaneous and back-slopping fermented cassava showed signs of deterioration after 3 days of fermentation. There was a sharp drop of pH and an increase of titratable acidity for all three batches during the first 48 h followed by a slow rise of pH and drop in titratable acidity towards the end of fermentation. The samples fermented with the starter culture had a smooth texture and pleasant fruity aroma, as opposed to the course and dull appearance and more complex flavour of the samples of spontaneous and back-slopping batches. During fermentation with starter culture, Enterobacteriaceae and yeasts and moulds could not be isolated throughout the period of fermentation (detection limit: 10 colony forming units/g). The present findings indicate the suitability of these Lb. plantarum strains as starter cultures for cassava fermentation in the kivunde process. The paper highlights the potential for the improvement of a traditional African fermented food (kivunde) through the use of a starter culture.