There was significant reduction in gossypol level with the use of combined starters in comparison with spontaneous or traditional fermentation. It is of great importance that high priority be given to the reduction of free gossypol level in cotton seeds, since free gossypol has been a major impedance or hindrance to the optimum utilisation of cotton seeds, especially in human food as well as in animal feed. It is therefore recommended that a combination of B. subtilis, B. licheniformis, Bacillus pumillus with and without Staphylococcus spp. be used as starters for the fermentation of cotton seed at 35 °C for 3 days during the production of Owoh condiment.