No abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the pre and postharvest activities of rice stakeholders and to evaluate the influence of packaging on the proximate and mineral compositions of Ndop rice (TOX rice variety). A survey involving rice stakeholders was conducted in Ndop using a semi-structured questionnaire to gather information on the production, preparation, storage and handling practices of rice. It was found after the survey that, Ndop rice samples from UNVDA were stored in different packaging materials viz; polypropylene, nylon, rubber containers and paper bags at room temperature for two months. It was documented that 55% male and 45% female with the majority (63%) within the age category of 31-50 years are involved in Ndop rice postharvest management practices. Results also revealed that a majority (71%) of the respondents use polypropylene woven bags as packaging materials while 38% of respondents store rice for six months. Mice and weevils were reported as the key biotic factors affecting Ndop rice during storage. Furthermore, the results also showed that the moisture content (MC), fat, carbohydrate, ash and crude fiber contents decreased while protein increased across all the treatments during storage. Rice packed in paper bags had the lowest MC (10.17%), while rice in rubber containers had the highest MC (14.67%), at the end of the two months storage period. Rice packed in nylon bag had the highest protein content (14.11±0.71%). The mineral contents of Ndop rice decrease across all treatments after the second month of storage. The highest mineral retention (214.22±5.64 mg/100g for potassium) was observed in rice packed in paper bags. To maintain quality, paper bags or plastic buckets could be recommended as the best packaging materials for Ndop rice at the end of the second-month storage duration. This study contributes to food sufficiency and security by curbing postharvest food loss in Cameroon.

Aim: The present study was undertaken to assess the probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria strains isolated from raphia palm wine (Raffia mambillensis O.) of the South West region of Cameroon. Study Design: The study site and sample were randomly chosen and the responses assessed were submitted to analyses of variance. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Ekona in the South West region of Cameroon, between February 2017 and October 2018. Methodology: Physicochemical analyses were performed to characterize the Raphia palm wine samples. Lactic acid bacteria were isolated from these samples using pour plate method, and the isolates were tested for their antimicrobial activity, low pH and bile salts tolerance, antibiotic sensitivity, hemolytic activity and enzymes production. The active isolates were identified phenotypically using API 50 CHL. Results: The results revealed that among the nine isolates, only three were active against Escherichia coli BL21, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella enterica and Staphylococcus aureus with inhibition diameters ranging from 10 to 25 mm. The three isolates which exhibited antimicrobial activity were able to survive at simulated stomach pH (pH 3.0) with survival rate above 80% and in the presence of bile salts at 1% with survival rates above 50%. All three isolates gave negative results for hemolytic activity and were resistant to most antibiotic treatments. These three isolates produced β-galactosidase, which is beneficial for lactose intolerance. They also produced some non-carcinogenic enzymes including leucine arylamidase, crystine arylamidase, acid phosphatase, α-galactosidase, α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase, and N-acetyl-β-glucosamidase. Identification of these three isolates with API kit 50 CHL reveals that they are Lactobacillus lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus brevis. Conclusion: Our findings revealed that raphia palm wine can be an excellent source of probiotic lactic acid bacteria.