Effect of fermentation system on the physicochemical and microbial community dynamics during enset (Ensete ventricosum) fermentation.

Aims: The present study was conducted to assess the effect of three different fermentation systems on fermentation of enset into kocho.

Methods And Results: Nine enset plants were processed, mixed and fermented in either a pit, a bamboo basket or a sauerkraut jar. Samples were taken on days 1, 7, 15, 31, 60 and 90. Moisture content and pH generally decreased and titratable acidity increased during fermentation. Total viable aerobic counts were generally high for all samples and Enterobacteriaceae counts were reduced to below the detectable level after day 1 for the pits and jars and after day 7 for the baskets. Illumina MiSeq sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA genes revealed that Leuconostoc and Lactococcus spp. were the most abundant lactic acid bacteria in the initial phases of the fermentation. Later on, Lactobacillus, Weissella and Bifidobacterium dominated.

Conclusions: The type of fermentation system used had an effect on the microbial dynamics and the effect increased towards the end of fermentation.

Significance And Impact Of The Study: Millions of people in Ethiopia daily consume kocho prepared in either a pit or a basket. These systems show practical problems, but this study shows that fermentation is also possible in a sauerkraut jar.