Fufu is among the most consumed traditional dishes derived from cassava in Cameroon. However, the processing of cassava into flour used in the preparation of fufu, the home storage of that flour and the cooking practices might lead to microbial contamination and hence constitute a potential health risk for consumers. The aim of this study was to diagnose the cooking systems of fufu in the city of Yaoundé taking into consideration the processing of granules, its storage systems and the cooking practices. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the city of Yaoundé. A total of 74 participants were submitted to a survey by the means of a structured questionnaire. Information on the socio-demographic characteristics of the population, the nature and quality of raw material used to cook fufu, the cooking processes, the storage of cooked fufu and complaints associated with the consumption of fufu were collected and statistically analyzed. Results showed that the majority of participants were women (82.4%) with university education level (73%). Most of the participants preferred granules of fermented cassava as raw material. The odor was the main purchasing criteria of raw materials which were generally stored at room temperature (25±2°C) in the household for 1 to 2 weeks. 76.05% of participants were aware of the impact of microorganisms on the color and odor of the raw material. Two cooking processes of fufu were identified, the heating duration being the main difference. The majority of participants used a heating duration of less than 15 min as it leads to slightly rigid, less elastic and not sticky fufu highly appreciated in the Centre and Sud regions of Cameroon. Leftovers fufu eaten by participants without any heating process and leftovers fufu reheated for a short duration before being consumed might be the causes of digestive troubles associated with its consumption. Prospective studies should be conducted to optimize the cooking process of fufu taking into consideration its microbiological (sporulated microflora) and sensorial quality.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.