Isolation And Characterization Of Lactic Acid Bacteria From Ogi

ABSTRACT

The isolation and characterization of lactic acid bacteria from ogi was studies. Locally produced samples of ogi were procured from Isi-gate, Umuahia, Abia state. The samples were plated on MRS (de Man Rogosa and Sharp) agar and on Nutrient agar to obtain five (5) isolates which were found to be Gram positive and negative for catalase, indole, citrate and oxidase tests. The morphological and biochemical characteristics and sugar fermentation pattern were employed to identify lactic acid bacteria. The identified organisms include Lactobacillus plantarum, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Lactobacillus casei. The study revealed that L. plantarum and L. bulgaricus were the predominant strains of LAB found in ogi hence, these strains of LAB would be of importance as starter cultures in the food industry in the production of fermented food products such as ogi.