Biochemical properties of three lactic acid bacteria strains isolated from traditional cassava starters used for attieke preparation

Variable sensorial quality of attieke (a fermented cassava product like couscous) is mainly due to different types of artisanal starters used for fermentation of cassava dough. Biochemical properties of eleven lactic acid bacteria identified as Lactobacillus plantarum strains isolated from these traditional cassava starters were evaluated in vitro. Three of these isolates (Lp 210, Lp 140 and Lp 19) presented suitable properties (fermentation at 45°C, important acidification rate, enzymatic activities, osmotolerance, thermotolerance) necessary for their potential use in drastic environment. These rapid acid producers’ strains also induced a rapid drop of pH of MRS broth under pH 4 which is a major food safety factor. These potentialities confer to these strains ability to be selected as microbial starters for the reliable and reproducible lactic fermentation of cassava dough into attieke in order to optimize and standardize the quality and organoleptic characteristics of this staple food.   Key words: Attieke, cassava, lactic acid bacteria, biochemical properties, lactic fermentation.