The fermentation of soya bean for ‘daddawa’ production in Nigeria is carried out by bacteria. Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus were consistently isolated in fermentations lasting 48 h.

Starter cultures consisting ofStreptococcus diacetilactis, Strept. cremoris, Lactobacillus brevis andSaccharomyces cerevisiae were tested singly and in mixtures for ability to ferment milk to producenono with organoleptically acceptable qualities. Only mixed cultures containing eitherStrept. diacetilactis orStrept. cremoris andL. brevis were suitable. Presence of yeast adversely affected either acid formation or diacetyl production.Nono containingStrept. diacetilactis was acceptable, even in the presence ofSacch. cerevisiae, because of the high diacetyl production. A mixed starter containing two of these organisms,Strept. diacetilactis orStrept. cremoris andL. brevis, is recommended fornono production.Sacch. cerevisiae is not essential.

No abstract

Twenty-fiveBacillus isolates comprising eight species fromdaddawa, daddawansoya, oglrl, okplhe andugba (all Nigerian fermented plant proteins) all produced glutamic acid in varying concentrations when grown in a basal medium. Glutamic acid release during the course of termentation indaddawa showed a corresponding release pattern by the fermentingBacillus subtilis isolate in the basal medium.

The role of the yeast flora of Nigerian palm wine in the leavening activity of the beverage was investigated by subjecting organisms from the wine to dough‐raising tests. Those with appreciable leavening activity were identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida spp. They produced maximum dough volumes in 3–4 h at 37°C. The study has provided experimental evidence that yeasts contribute to the leavening activity of palm wine and has identified strains which have potential utility in commercial bread baking.