Fermentation processes in Africa, such as the fermentation of
cassava for Gari production, usually take place at a household level.
Little use, if any, is made of starter cultures and most of these
fermentations rely on back-slopping techniques to start the
fermentation. Back-slopping involves the use of a residue (‘starter
dough’) from a previous fermentation batch of acceptable quality for
inoculation of a fresh batch (Holzapfel, 1997). However, retention of
product characteristics over time may prove difficult due to changes
in microbial types. Quality, safety and acceptability of traditional
fermented foods may be significantly improved by using starter
cultures that are selected on the basis of multifunctional properties
which include technological properties, as well as possibly functional
(probiotic) properties (Holzapfel, 2002). For the production of
Gari it is also of utmost importance to develop a process that is not
only industrially applicable, but also economically feasible.
This study focused on the assessment of selected predominant
LAB strains isolated from Gari fermentations to be produced as
starter cultures and their ability to withstand a freeze-drying
process. Furthermore, the starters were evaluated for their suitability
as starters by their capabilities for rapid substrate acidifi-
cation in addition to linamarin degradation, thereby enhancing
both product quality and safety.