Antimicrobial Activity Profiles Of Traditional Fermented Milk Starter Cultures From North-Eastern Namibia

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to identify and examine the antimicrobial properties of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) isolated from fermented milk collected from Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Zambezi and Kavango regions. Traditional fermented milk in Namibia are produced by spontaneous fermentation using traditional utensils. In this study, thirty homesteads from six regions that produce and process fermented milk were selected and interviewed using semistructured questionnaires. Omashikwa and Mashini ghakushika have similar processing method whereby fermentation is achieved by accumulation of milk; mean while Mabisi is produced by allowing the milk to ferment naturally. The pH decreased logarithmically, nonlinearly over the fermentation period from 6.5 ± 0002 from first day of fermentation to 3.92±0.001 over 4 days.There was no significant difference (p