Evaluation of Different Lactic Acid Bacteria as Starter Cultures for Nono-A West African Fermented Dairy Product

Nono is a traditional cultured dairy product consumed across West Africa. In this study, five cultures isolated from Nigerian-produced nono and three purified lactic acid bacteria from the USDA-NRRL were examined for use in preparing nono starter cultures. Isolated cultures were characterized using microbiological and biochemical tests, including 16s rDNA sequencing to identify the genotype. Each isolated strain was cultured and inoculated into UHT milk (1% v/v) and allowed to ferment for 24 h at 25 °C. Fermented products were evaluated for pH, moisture content, water activity, and viscosity, and their descriptive sensory properties were noted. The isolate that resulted in sensory properties most similar to traditional nono was then used as the primary strain for subsequent starter culture blends made with the NRRL cultures. These blends were used for the fermentation of nono and compared with commercial nono samples. Isolates obtained from nono were as follows: Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus paracasei, and, surprisingly, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, which has not been previously reported as a part of the nono microflora. There was no significant difference in the physical parameters of nono made from the individual indigenous isolates and a similar pattern was observed for the organisms from NRRL, except that their total titratable acidity and viscosities were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those of the indigenous organisms. Compounded starter made with L. rhamnosus and NRRL cultures was then used to make nono that showed significantly (p < 0.05) different pH and viscosity values than commercially purchased nono, while sensory evaluation showed that nono made from the new starter culture had a high overall consumer acceptance score.