Characterization of dominant microbiota of a Ghanaian fermented milk product, nyarmie, by culture- and nonculture-based methods.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the predominant micro-organisms in a Ghanaian traditional fermented dairy product, nyarmie, made from cows' milk, using both culture- and nonculture-based methods.


RESULTS
Samples of nyarmie were analysed from three production sites in Accra, by determining the counts on selective culture media. The microbial diversity occurring in nyarmie was also evaluated by 16S/18S ribosomal DNA PCR amplification and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Results showed that nyarmie contained lactococci and lactobacilli in the range of 10(8) and 10(10) CFU ml(-1), respectively, and yeasts at around 10(7) CFU ml(-1). The pH ranged between 3.49 and 4.25. The predominant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in nyarmie were Leuconostocmesenteroides ssp. mesenteroides, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, Lact.helveticus, Lact. delbrueckii ssp. lactis and Lactococcus lactis, while Saccharomyces cerevisiae was the predominant yeast species. Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. delbrueckii was not detected by cultivation but its predominance was revealed by PCR-DGGE analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
The flora in products from different producers varied in the LAB composition present and may result in variations in product quality.


CONCLUSIONS
Development and use of starter cultures for nyarmie may be beneficial in improving the consistency of product quality.
Obodai
M
M
Division of Food Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD UK.
Dodd
C E R
CE
D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002417:Cattle; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D043302:Cultured Milk Products / Q000382:microbiology*; D003906:Developing Countries; D004586:Electrophoresis; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005869:Ghana; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D021521:Ribotyping; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015003:Yeasts / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*