Inactivation tests during controlled cassava fermentation
showed that L. plantarum strains Z and CL09 are able to inactivate
pathogenic bacteria. This is of value from a food safety
perspective, as the safety of the fermented product may be
improved by selecting LAB starter cultures with antimicrobial
properties. Traditional African food fermentations such as cassava
usually depend on uncontrolled fermentations with the
inherent issues of inconsistency of safety, nutritional and
acceptable organoleptic qualities. The use of well-defined LAB
starter cultures can address these issues and is a requirement for
optimisation of food safety.