Microbiological and physico-chemical characteristic of Rwandese traditional beer “Ikigage”

Samples of traditional sorghum beer Ikigage was collected in the southern province of Rwanda and analyzed for microbiological and physico-chemical contents. Ikigage contained total aerobic mesophilic bacteria (33.55 x 106 cfu/ml), yeast (10.15 x 106 cfu/ml), lactic acid bacteria (35.35 x 104cfu/ml), moulds (4.12 x 104 cfu/ml), E. coli (21.90 x 103 cfu/ml), fecal streptococci (22.50 x 103 cfu/ml), Staphylococcus aureus (16.02 x 103 cfu/ml), total coliform (32.30 x 103 cfu/ml), ethanol, soluble protein,reducing sugars, total acidity, pH and Brix were 2.2% (v/v), 9.2 g/l, 2.3, 1.7%, 3.9 and 11.5 bx, respectively. The yeast was identified by API 20 C test and confirmed by PCR-Sequencing of ITS-5.8S region of rDNA. Seventy yeasts isolated in the samples were found to belong to either Saccharomyces cerevisae, Candida inconspicua, Issatchenkia orientalis, Candida magnolia and Candida humilis. Lactic acid bacteria were identified using the API 50 CHL system. Ten different isolates of lactic acid bacteriabelonged exclusively to the genus Lactobacillus: Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus buchneri, and Lactobacillus sp. The micro-organisms of fecal origin are from the water and the operations postfermentation process. The presence of potential pathogens emphasizes the importance of developing starter cultures with GRAS status for commercialization of ikigage

Microbiological and physico-chemical characteristic of Rwandese traditional beer «Ikigage»

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Characteristics of African traditional beers brewed with sorghum malt: a review

Traditional sorghum beers are produced in several countries of Africa, but variations in the manufacturing process may occur depending on the geographic localization. These beers are very rich in calories, B-group vitamins including thiamine, folic acid, riboflavin and nicotinic acid, and essential amino acids such as lysine. However, the traditional sorghum beer is less attractive than Western beers because of its poorer hygienic quality, organoleptic variations and shorter shelf life. Research into the microbiological and biochemical characteristics of traditional sorghum beers as well as their technologies have been performed and documented in several African countries. This review aims to summarize the production processes and compositional characteristics of African traditional sorghum beers (ikigage, merissa, doro, dolo, pito, amgba and tchoukoutou). It also highlights the major differences between these traditional beers and barley malt beer, consumed worldwide, and suggests adaptations that could be made to improve the production process of traditional sorghum beer