The Effect of Different Fermentation Techniques on the Nutritional Quality of the Cassava Product (fufu)

Abstract

The nutritional qualities of fufu produced from traditional, brine and backslopping fermentation techniques were evaluated. The cassava roots were steeped in water (1:4 kg/L) for 96 h for the production of traditional‐fermented sample while fermented cassava liquor (10%w/v) was used to initiate fermentation in the backslopping technique. Two‐staged method that involved fermentation and grating was employed for the production of brine‐fermented sample. The resultant “wet fufu” samples were dried at 65C in a cabinet dryer and mechanically milled into flour. The hydrogen cyanide level, proximate composition, functional properties, mineral contents and the sensory evaluation of the flour samples were assessed. Lactic acid bacteria populations comprised more than 95% of the total viable bacteria and remained prominent through the fermentations, while the number of coliforms and moulds declined as the fermentation progressed. Lactobacillus plantarum, L. buchnerii, L. casei were implicated in the brine fermentation. The hydrogen cyanide observed after fermentation and processing were 15.67 ± 0.63 mg/kg, 13.29 ± 0.68 mg/kg and 12.07 ± 0.32 mg/kg for the traditional, brine and backslopping‐fermented samples, respectively. Lowest moisture content (10.61 ± 0.15%) was recorded in backslopping‐fermented sample and highest (12.69 ± 0.34%) in traditional‐fermented sample. The ash and carbohydrate contents range from 0.76 ± 0.23% to 0.92 ± 0.27% and 82.57 ± 0.56% to 84.03 ± 0.58%, respectively. Higher protein contents were observed in brine (2.25 ± 0.19%) and backslopping (2.32 ± 0.13%) fermentations while the lowest crude fiber content (0.84 ± 0.43%) was obtained in the brine‐fermented sample. The results of the functional properties show similar trend. Brine and backslopping fermentation techniques offer lighter “fufu” flours and dough as indicated by the lower swelling index (3.16 ± 0.09 g/g and 2.66 ± 0.18 g/g, respectively) and bulk density (0.65 ± 0.03 g/mL and 0.57 ± 0.03 g/mL, respectively). The traditional‐fermented sample had the highest water absorption capacity (4.89 ± 0.06%). Brine fermentation significantly (P < 0.05) increased the Ca (0.235 ± 0.004 mg/kg), Na (0.555 ± 0.055 mg/kg) and K (0.504 ± 0.009 mg/kg) contents of fufu flour than the traditional fermentation which were 0.162 ± 0.003 mg/kg, 0.0097 ± 0.011 mg/kg and 0.151 ± 0.003 mg/kg respective. Sensory scores showed that production of fufu using brine fermentation is more preferred than traditional fermentation. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS In recent times, attention has been drawn to the enrichment of protein in cassava products by various methods. However, brine and backslopping fermentation techniques of cassava roots are valuable biotechnological approach in achieving this. Because cassava has been recognized as a suitable crop for micronutrient intervention in Africa, its planting and processing into various products like “fufu” flour should be encouraged. Fabrication of cheap local dryer, which can hygienically convert the “fufu wet cake” into flou...

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