Lanhouin, a fermented fish product is processed by spontaneous and largely uncontrolled fermentation. Disadvantages of this type of fermentation are that very little control can be exercised over the fermentation process and the product is often of variable quality with inherent risks of quality defects. Samples of lanhouin processed from cassava croaker /cassava fish (Speudotolithus sp.) or Spanish mackerel / king fish (Scomberomorus tritor), widely used as condiment in Benin, Togo, and Ghana, were purchased from processors and retailers in the processing sites and markets respectively, for product characterization. The samples were obtained from 20 retailers and 20 processors randomly selected in urban and rural processing sites and markets. The samples were transported under aseptic conditions to laboratory for analyses. The chemical composition of samples was determined using Pearson's and AOAC methods. The microbiological status was investigated according to the Nordic Committee on Food Analysis standard methods. The results showed that the pH values of the majority (78.5 %) of samples were above 7 and the water activity values ranged from 0.65 to 0.87. High level of free fatty acids (FFA) and thiobarbituric acid number (TBA) were also recorded for all the samples. Moisture, protein, salt, total volatile nitrogen and histamine contents ranged between 50.1-56.6 %, 24.6-26 5 %, 5.2-7.3 %, 294.5-374.5 mg N / 100 g and 21.4-33.1 mg / 100 g respectively. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed on these parameters within and between species. The histamine contents in most of the samples (75%) exceeded the recommended level of 20 mg / 100 g. The total viable counts of the majority (83.5 %) of the samples were high. Micrococci and bacilli were the predominant organisms enumerated in the products. Their numbers ranged between 3.2 × 10 4-6.4 ×10 5 and 1.6 × 10 3-2.6 × 10 4 respectively. Few numbers of coliform bacteria and Clostridium spp. were enumerated in some of the samples (6 %).No Salmonella and no yeasts were found in any sample.
Gowe is a sweetish paste of malted, fermented, and cooked sorghum and/or maize flour, consumed in its pure state, but preferentially as a beverage after homogenizing with water, sugar, milk, and ice. A survey was carried out at different localities in the traditional gowe producing areas to investigate the diversity of the processing techniques, consumers¿ characteristics, and the quality attributes. Producers and sellers were women exclusively while consumers cut across all classes of age, socio-cultural groups, and educational levels. Gowe varied in cereal and processing techniques, with maize and sorghum being used either singly or in combination (maize/sorghum ratio varying from 1 to 3) through four processes. Apart from the alternative process which leaves out the malting step, gowe processing techniques aim at producing sweetish and acidic tasting products through malting, saccharification, and fermentation. A principal component analysis plot of quality criteria of gowe indicated that the preference of consumers was directly associated with the perceptions of producers. (Résumé d'auteur
Akpan is a high-potential, traditional yoghurt-like product made from fermented cereal starch, and consumed as a thirst-quenching beverage in Benin. This study investigated the characteristics of consumers, the traditional processing techniques and constraints, and the quality attributes of the product in order to find out the best options for possible industrial development. For this purpose, a survey was carried out in different municipalities using a questionnaire administered to stakeholders. While the production and commercialization of Akpan are undertaken exclusively by women, consumption cuts across all classes of people, with consumers in a wide range of socio-cultural groups, ages, and educational levels. Four types of Akpan were encountered, varying in their raw materials and processing technologies. Maize and sorghum were used either singly or in combination through submerged or solid-state fermentation processes. Among the product types, Akpan from maize ogi was the most preferred, mainly because of its long-established history, white colour, sour taste, and pronounced ogi aroma. (Résumé d'auteur
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