Utilisation du moringa, de la spiruline, de la patate douce à chair orange et d’un complexe minéral et vitaminique dans la fabrication de biscuits de sorgho enrichis destinés aux jeunes enfants

Les biscuits peuvent contribuer à améliorer le statut nutritionnel des jeunes enfants. L’effet de l’incorporation du moringa, de la spiruline, de la patate douce à chair orange (PDCO) et d’un complexe minéral et vitaminique (CMV) sur la qualité nutritionnelle des biscuits de sorgho est étudié. Pour ces ingrédients nutritionnels, trois niveaux d’incorporation sont étudiés à travers douze formulations de biscuit et leurs caractéristiques nutritionnelles et sensorielles analysées par des méthodes standard et comparées au biscuit témoin non enrichi. Les résultats obtenus montrent que les teneurs varient entre 1,8±0,6% et 7,9±1,1% pour l’humidité, entre 5,6±1,4% et 11,7±0,7% pour les protéines, entre 19,5±4,6% et 23,5±1,6% pour les lipides, entre 2±0,0% et 4,1±0,1% pour les cendres et entre 53,2±2,2% et 68,5±0,5% pour les glucides. L’augmentation des teneurs en protéines est significative avec l’addition du moringa et de la spiruline. La valeur énergétique est comparable pour l’ensemble des formulations avec cependant des profils nutritionnels différents. Les teneurs en fer, contrairement au zinc sont significativement plus élevées (p<0,05) dans les biscuits de sorgho enrichis. En conclusion, les formulations de biscuits de sorgho les plus acceptables au plan nutritionnel et sensoriel sont celles enrichies à 4% de spiruline, 10% de moringa et 18% de PDCO.© 2016 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Mots clés: Biscuit de sorgho, moringa, spiruline, patate douce à chair orange, caractéristiques nutritionnellesEnglish Title: Use of the moringa, spirulina, orange-fleshed sweet potato and a multivitamin complex in the manufacture of enriched sorghum biscuits for young childrenEnglish AbstractCookies can help to improve the nutritional status of young children. The effect of moringa, spirulina, orange fleshed sweet potato (PDCO) and multivitamin complex (CMV) incorporation on the quality of sorghum cookies was studied. For these nutritional ingredients, three rates of incorporation were studied through 12 cookies formulations and the nutritional and sensory characteristics analyzed using standard  methods and compared with control cookies without incorporation. Results showed that the contents varied between 1.8±0.6% and 7.9±1.1% for humidity, 5.6±1.4% and 11.7±0.7% for protein, 19.5±4.6% and 23.5±1.6% for fat, 2.0±0.0% and 4.1±0.1% for the ashes and between 53.2±2.2% and 68.5±0.5% for carbohydrate The increase in protein levels was significant with moringa leaves powder and spirulina addition. The energy densities were similar for all formulations although the nutrient profiles were different. Fe contents, in the opposite of zinc were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the enriched sorghum cookies. In short, the more acceptable sorghum cookies formulations in regard to nutritional and sensorial aspects were those enriched with 4% of spirulina, 10% of moringa leaves powder and 18% of PCDO.© 2016 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Cookies of sorghum, moringa, spirulina, orange fleshed sweet potato, nutritional characteristi

Lactobacillus plantarum P2R3FA Isolated from Traditional Cereal-Based Fermented Food Increase Folate Status in Deficient Rats

Folate deficiencies are widespread around the world. Promoting consumption of folate-rich foods could be a sustainable option to alleviate this problem. However, these foods are not always available. Cereals, being a staple food, could contribute to folate intake. They are fermented prior to consumption in many African countries, and fermentation can modify the folate content. In Ethiopia, injera is a widely consumed fermented flat bread. The main drivers of its fermentation are lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The aim of this work was to isolate and identify folate-producing LAB from injera fermented dough and to evaluate their ability to increase folate status after depletion in a rat model. Among the 162 strains isolated from 60 different fermentations, 19 were able to grow on a folate-free culture medium and produced 1 to 43 µg/L (24 h, 30 °C incubation). The four highest folate producers belonged to the Lactobacillus plantarum species. The most productive strain was able to enhance folate status after depletion in a rat model, despite the relatively low folate content of the feed supplemented with the strain. Folate-producing L. plantarum strain has potential use as a commercial starter in injera production

Lactobacillus plantarum P2R3FA Isolated from Traditional Cereal-Based Fermented Food Increase Folate Status in Deficient Rats

Folate deficiencies are widespread around the world. Promoting consumption of folate-rich foods could be a sustainable option to alleviate this problem. However, these foods are not always available. Cereals, being a staple food, could contribute to folate intake. They are fermented prior to consumption in many African countries, and fermentation can modify the folate content. In Ethiopia, injera is a widely consumed fermented flat bread. The main drivers of its fermentation are lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The aim of this work was to isolate and identify folate-producing LAB from injera fermented dough and to evaluate their ability to increase folate status after depletion in a rat model. Among the 162 strains isolated from 60 different fermentations, 19 were able to grow on a folate-free culture medium and produced 1 to 43 µg/L (24 h, 30 °C incubation). The four highest folate producers belonged to the Lactobacillus plantarum species. The most productive strain was able to enhance folate status after depletion in a rat model, despite the relatively low folate content of the feed supplemented with the strain. Folate-producing L. plantarum strain has potential use as a commercial starter in injera production

Qualité des grains et aptitude à la transformation : cas des variétés de Sorghum bicolor, Pennisetumg laucum et Zea mays en usage en Afrique de l’Ouest

La qualité des grains de vingt-deux variétés, dont sept de sorgho (Sorghum bicolor), sept de mil (Pennisetumg laucum) et huit de maïs (Zea mays) est étudiée par des méthodes standard. L’évaluation physicochimique montre que le poids de 1000 grains est le paramètre le plus discriminatoire comparativement à la forme, les dimensions, la couleur et l’endosperme des grains. Sur le plan du profil nutritionnel, la variété de maïs FBMS1 est la plus intéressante par ses teneurs élevées en protéines (15,5%), en lipides (13%) et en cendres (2,5%). Dix variétés, soit cinq de mil (IKMP5, IKMV8201, SOSATC88, GB8735, Tabi), deux de maïs (Wari, Espoir), trois de sorgho (Tiéblé, Sariaso14, ICSV1049) présentent un profil nutritionnel moyen. Par contre, onze variétés, soit deux de mil (IKMP1, Gampèla), cinq de maïs (Bondofa, SR21, Barka, FBC6, Massongo) et quatre de sorgho (Fibmigou, Kapelga, Sariaso11, Framida) montrent un faible profil nutritionnel. Néanmoins, Kapelga, Fibmigou et IKMP1 se distinguent par leurs teneurs intéressantes en protéines ou en fer. Au plan technologique, l’évaluation de la vitrosité et de la dureté des grains indique que seulement trois variétés de mil (SOSATC88, GB8735, Gampèla) et une variété de sorgho (Framida) sont à grains farineux, donc peu aptes au décorticage.© 2015 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Mots clés: Sorgho, mil, maïs, composition, propriété physicochimique, propriété techEnglish Title: Grains quality and food processing aptitude: case of varieties of Sorghum bicolor, Pennisetum glaucum and Zea mays from West AfricaEnglish AbstractGrain quality of twenty two varieties, including seven sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), seven millet (Pennisetumg laucum) and eight maize (Zea mays)is studied by standard method. The evaluation of physicochemical characteristics shows that the 1000-grain weight is the most discriminatory comparatively to the grain and endosperm form and color, and the grain size. With respect to nutritional profile, maize variety FBMS1 is  the most interesting due to its high contents in protein (15.5%), fat (13%), and ash (2.5%). A total of ten (10) varieties, including five of millet (IKMP5, IKMV8201, SOSATC88, GB8735, Tabi), two of maize (Wari, Espoir) and three of sorghum (Tiéblé, Sariaso14, ICSV1049) show medium nutritional profile. On the contrary, eleven varieties out of which, two of millet (IKMP1, Gampèla), five of maize (Bondofa, SR21, Barka, FBC6, Massongo) and four of sorghum (Fibmigou, Kapelga, Sariaso11,Framida) show a low nutritional profile. Nevertheless, Kapelga, Fibmigou and IKMP1 are standing out due to their interesting levels of protein or iron. With the respect to the technology, the result of vitreousness and hardness of the kernels indicate that only three varieties of millet (SOSATC88, GB8735, Gampèla) and one variety of sorghum (Framida) are floury kernels, so just suit for dehulling.© 2015 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Sorghum, pearlmillet, maize, composition, physico-chemical properties, technological propertie

African cereal-based staple foods : Another way to improve folate intakes

Les folates sont des vitamines indispensables à tous les âges, particulièrement pendant la grossesse et l’enfance, étant donné leur fonction dans la division cellulaire. Le régime alimentaire en Afrique est essentiellement basé sur les céréales, consommées toujours après transformation. La fermentation est l’un des moyens de transformation des céréales pouvant augmenter les folates dans les aliments. L’objectif de ce travail était d’utiliser la fermentation pour augmenter les ingérés en folates des populations africaines via la consommation d’aliments céréaliers fermentés. Sept aliments céréaliers fermentés couramment consommés en Afrique de l’Ouest ont été investigués. La plupart des aliments avaient des teneurs en folates (1,8–31,3 µg/100g matière fraîche) inférieures à celles des céréales de départ (13,8-73,4 µg/100g matière fraîche). Des pertes en folates ont lieu au cours de certaines étapes de procédés dont le décorticage, le séchage, le trempage, le broyage et la filtration. Toutefois, la fermentation a permis une augmentation de la teneur en folates dans certains aliments. La bioaccessibilité des folates, évaluée à l'aide d'un modèle de digestion statique in vitro, variait de 23% à 81%. Elle était influencée par la matrice alimentaire et la stabilité des folates au cours de la digestion. Il a été calculé qu’au maximum 8% des besoins journaliers en folates des jeunes enfants consommant l’un des aliments étudiés pourraient être couverts. Des essais d’inoculation de bouillies fermentés à base de mil avec des souches de bactéries lactiques sélectionnées pour leurs propriétés nutritionnelles (synthèse de folates, hydrolyse de l’amidon) permettaient d’augmenter significativement les teneurs en folates (jusqu’à 8,7 µg/100 g matière fraîche) par rapport à leur équivalent préparées de manière traditionnelle (2,5-5,4 µg/100 g matière fraîche). L’inoculation par un pied-de-cuve provenant d’une fermentation spontanée permettait aussi une augmentation significative des teneurs folates (jusqu’à 7,4 µg/100 g matière fraîche). La caractérisation de la diversité bactérienne de 7 aliments céréaliers fermentés du Burkina Faso, d’Ethiopie et de la Finlande montrait que les bactéries lactiques du genre Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Weissella, Pediococcus, Lactococcus et Streptococcus étaient les principaux acteurs de la fermentation de ces aliments. Toutefois, une présence non négligeable d’autres microorganismes potentiellement pathogènes des genres Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Erwinia, Klebsiella, Escherichia et Acinetobacter a été identifiée. Cette contamination était liée à certaines étapes du procédé de transformation des céréales dont le stockage et broyage dans les moulins publics. Ces microorganismes pathogènes étaient réduits par fermentation et finalement éliminés après l'étape de cuisson.Folates represent an essential vitamin in the human diet at all ages, particularly during pregnancy and infancy, as it is required for the production of new cells. In many African countries, the main staple foods are based on cereals, which are always consumed after processing. Fermentation is one of the processing, which could increase folate contents in foods. The objective of this work was to increase folates intake of African people through the consumption of cereal-based fermented foods using fermentation. Seven types of cereal-based fermented foods (CBFF), commonly consumed in West Africa, were investigated in this study. Total folate content of cereal-based fermented ranged between 1.8 and 31.3 µg/100g fresh weight, and was almost always lower than in the raw material (13.8-73.4 µg/100g fresh weight). Folate losses occurred during some processing steps like debranning, soaking and drying steps. However, fermentation was able to increase the folate content in some CBFF. Folate bioaccessibility was assessed using a static in vitro digestion model, and ranged from 23% to 81%. The bioaccessible folate content was influenced by total folate content, the structure of food matrices that modulated folate release, and folate stability during digestion process. Calculations of the contributions of CBFF to the reference nutrient intake for folate showed that folate intakes from these foods would cover a maximum of 8% of the folate requirements for young children. Porridges prepared with starter cultures of lactic acid bacteria selected for the nutritional properties (folate synthesis, starch hydrolysis) had significantly higher folate contents (up to 8.7 µg/100 g fresh matter) than the porridge prepared using the traditional process (2.5-5.4 µg/100 g fresh matter). Back slopping using an inoculum from a spontaneous fermentation also enabled an interesting increase in folate contents (up to 7.4 µg/100 g fresh matter). The bacterial diversity of seven cereal-based fermented foods from Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Finland were assessed using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Lactic acid bacteria genus, including Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Weissella, Pediococcus, Lactococcus and Streptococcus were the main bacteria present in cereal-based fermented foods. Several potentially pathogenic bacteria, namely, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Erwinia, Escherichia, Klebsiella and Acinetobacter were also found in some intermediary products resulting from storage and wet milling. These microorganisms were reduced by fermentation and finally removed after the cooking step

Les aliments céréaliers fermentés africains : un autre moyen de participer à la couverture des besoins en folates

Folates represent an essential vitamin in the human diet at all ages, particularly during pregnancy and infancy, as it is required for the production of new cells. In many African countries, the main staple foods are based on cereals, which are always consumed after processing. Fermentation is one of the processing, which could increase folate contents in foods. The objective of this work was to increase folates intake of African people through the consumption of cereal-based fermented foods using fermentation. Seven types of cereal-based fermented foods (CBFF), commonly consumed in West Africa, were investigated in this study. Total folate content of cereal-based fermented ranged between 1.8 and 31.3 µg/100g fresh weight, and was almost always lower than in the raw material (13.8-73.4 µg/100g fresh weight). Folate losses occurred during some processing steps like debranning, soaking and drying steps. However, fermentation was able to increase the folate content in some CBFF. Folate bioaccessibility was assessed using a static in vitro digestion model, and ranged from 23% to 81%. The bioaccessible folate content was influenced by total folate content, the structure of food matrices that modulated folate release, and folate stability during digestion process. Calculations of the contributions of CBFF to the reference nutrient intake for folate showed that folate intakes from these foods would cover a maximum of 8% of the folate requirements for young children. Porridges prepared with starter cultures of lactic acid bacteria selected for the nutritional properties (folate synthesis, starch hydrolysis) had significantly higher folate contents (up to 8.7 µg/100 g fresh matter) than the porridge prepared using the traditional process (2.5-5.4 µg/100 g fresh matter). Back slopping using an inoculum from a spontaneous fermentation also enabled an interesting increase in folate contents (up to 7.4 µg/100 g fresh matter). The bacterial diversity of seven cereal-based fermented foods from Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Finland were assessed using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Lactic acid bacteria genus, including Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Weissella, Pediococcus, Lactococcus and Streptococcus were the main bacteria present in cereal-based fermented foods. Several potentially pathogenic bacteria, namely, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Erwinia, Escherichia, Klebsiella and Acinetobacter were also found in some intermediary products resulting from storage and wet milling. These microorganisms were reduced by fermentation and finally removed after the cooking step.Les folates sont des vitamines indispensables à tous les âges, particulièrement pendant la grossesse et l’enfance, étant donné leur fonction dans la division cellulaire. Le régime alimentaire en Afrique est essentiellement basé sur les céréales, consommées toujours après transformation. La fermentation est l’un des moyens de transformation des céréales pouvant augmenter les folates dans les aliments. L’objectif de ce travail était d’utiliser la fermentation pour augmenter les ingérés en folates des populations africaines via la consommation d’aliments céréaliers fermentés. Sept aliments céréaliers fermentés couramment consommés en Afrique de l’Ouest ont été investigués. La plupart des aliments avaient des teneurs en folates (1,8–31,3 µg/100g matière fraîche) inférieures à celles des céréales de départ (13,8-73,4 µg/100g matière fraîche). Des pertes en folates ont lieu au cours de certaines étapes de procédés dont le décorticage, le séchage, le trempage, le broyage et la filtration. Toutefois, la fermentation a permis une augmentation de la teneur en folates dans certains aliments. La bioaccessibilité des folates, évaluée à l'aide d'un modèle de digestion statique in vitro, variait de 23% à 81%. Elle était influencée par la matrice alimentaire et la stabilité des folates au cours de la digestion. Il a été calculé qu’au maximum 8% des besoins journaliers en folates des jeunes enfants consommant l’un des aliments étudiés pourraient être couverts. Des essais d’inoculation de bouillies fermentés à base de mil avec des souches de bactéries lactiques sélectionnées pour leurs propriétés nutritionnelles (synthèse de folates, hydrolyse de l’amidon) permettaient d’augmenter significativement les teneurs en folates (jusqu’à 8,7 µg/100 g matière fraîche) par rapport à leur équivalent préparées de manière traditionnelle (2,5-5,4 µg/100 g matière fraîche). L’inoculation par un pied-de-cuve provenant d’une fermentation spontanée permettait aussi une augmentation significative des teneurs folates (jusqu’à 7,4 µg/100 g matière fraîche). La caractérisation de la diversité bactérienne de 7 aliments céréaliers fermentés du Burkina Faso, d’Ethiopie et de la Finlande montrait que les bactéries lactiques du genre Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Weissella, Pediococcus, Lactococcus et Streptococcus étaient les principaux acteurs de la fermentation de ces aliments. Toutefois, une présence non négligeable d’autres microorganismes potentiellement pathogènes des genres Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Erwinia, Klebsiella, Escherichia et Acinetobacter a été identifiée. Cette contamination était liée à certaines étapes du procédé de transformation des céréales dont le stockage et broyage dans les moulins publics. Ces microorganismes pathogènes étaient réduits par fermentation et finalement éliminés après l'étape de cuisson

Évaluation du statut nutritionnel en fonction du niveau socioéconomique parmi des adultes de la ville de Ouagadougou

Le surpoids et l’obésité ont été longtemps considérés comme l’apanage des pays développés. En 2003, l’organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS), devant l’augmentation du nombre de personnes en situation de surpoids/obésité dans les pays en développement, qualifiait ce problème  d’épidémie mondiale émergente touchant autant les pays développés que les pays en développement. La présente étude réalisée de février àjuillet 2010 se situe dans le contexte d’une évaluation de l’état nutritionnel de trois groupes socioéconomiques de la ville de Ouagadougou comprenant un groupe de personnes adultes de trois niveaux sociéconimique différents (niveau socioéconomique bas, moyen et élevé). Parmi les personnes à niveau économique bas, 13,33% étaient en situation de maigreur, 73,33% avaient un statut nutritionnel normal, 6,67% pour lespersonnes en surpoids/obésité avec une difference significative entre la proportion des personnes en situation de maigreur et celles en situation normale (p= 0,032). Pour le groupe à niveau socioéconomique élevé, la proportion du surpoids/obésité était de 29,99% de la population étudiée. En se basant sur la même variable, les sujets à niveau économique inférieur avaient une proportion de 13,34%; avec une différence significative (p = 0, 037). Une sensibilisation basée sur les bonnes pratiques nutritionnelles ainsi qu’une amélioration des conditions écocomiques des populations s’avèrent indispensables pour une regulation adequate de l’état nutritionnel des populations Mots clés : indice de masse corprelle, maigreur, obésité, surpoids, Ouagadougou English Title: Assessment of nutritional status according to socioeconomic level among adults in the city of Ouagadougou Overweight and obesity have long been considered the preserve of developed countries. In 2003, the worldhealth organization, faced with the  increase in the number of overweight / obese people in developing  countries, described this problem as an emerging global epidemic affecting both developed and developing countries. The present study carried out from February to July 2010 took place in the context of an assessment of the nutritional status of three socioeconomic groups of adults in the city of Ouagadougou (low socioeconomic status, medium and high socioeconomic status). Among people with a low socioeconomic status, 13.33% were underweight, 73.33% had a normal nutritional status, and 6.67% were overweight/obese with a significant difference between the proportion of people in situation underweight and those in normal situation (p = 0.032). For the group with a high socioeconomic level, the proportion of the overweight/obesity was 29.99% whereas those with medium and low socioeconomic status had 13.34% of overweight/obesity which was significantly lower from the high socioeconomic group (p = 0.037). The wealthiest subjects were more likely to be overweight/obese while the poorest were more likely to be underweight. Awareness-raising based on good nutritional practices as well as an improvement in the socioeconomic conditions of the populations are essential for an adequate regulation of the populations nutritional status. Keywords: body mass index, leanness, obesity, overweight, Ouagadougo

Total folate in West African cereal-based fermented foods : Bioaccessibility and influence of processing

Cereal-based fermented foods (CBFF) are frequently consumed by young children in West-Africa. Seven CBFF types (gelatinized doughs, porridges, dumplings, and fritters, made from corn, sorghum or pearl millet) were produced according to the commonly used methods in traditional production units in Burkina Faso. Their total folate content, analyzed using a microbiological method, was between 1.8 and 31.3 mu g/100 g fresh weight. Folate degradation occurred at several steps during the cereal grain processing into CBFF, for instance during debranning (-51%), soaking (-20% to -49%) and wet-milling (-39% to -59%). Conversely, fermentation increased the folate content of some CBFF (+ 9 to + 27%). Folate bioaccessibility, assessed using a static in vitro digestion model, ranged from 23% to 81%. The bioaccessible folate content was influenced by the total folate content, the food matrix structure, and folate stability. CBFF contribution to the reference folate intake for young children was at most 23%. This work generated new information on the influence of traditional processing on the vitamin B9 content of CBFF, and the first data on folate bioaccessibility in West African CBFF.Peer reviewe

Introducing onsite antenatal syphilis screening in Burkina Faso: implementation and evaluation of a feasibility intervention tailored to a local context

Abstract Background Although the advantages of introducing point of care testing for syphilis in antenatal care (ANC) are well documented, there is little evidence on how to address structural issues within health systems. A better understanding of how these interventions work in a range of settings and contexts is needed in order to overcome bottlenecks at health system level. To better understand the relationships between implementation and context we developed and implemented an intervention focused on integrating a rapid screening test for syphilis in ANC services in rural primary health care facilities in Burkina Faso. This manuscript describes the intervention and reports on feasibility and acceptability of the intervention, the facilitators and barriers to the implementation of this intervention and the likelihood that point of care test for syphilis will become routinely incorporated in practice. Methods In Kaya Health and Demographic Surveillance System (Kaya HDSS), all 7 primary healthcare facilities were selected for intervention in 2013. A participatory approach was used to design and implement an antenatal syphilis screening intervention. The Normalization Process Model (NPM) proposed by May et al. was adapted in order to identify barriers and facilitators and to explore the likelihood to become routinely incorporated in practice. Registers, Observations (n = 14 ANC 1) of interactions between patients and health workers during ANC and interviews with health workers (n = 14) were our data sources. Results An intervention that included onsite training, provision of supplies and medicines, quality control and supervision was implemented in 7 health facilities in 2013. Rapid syphilis test and treatment were delivered during ANC within the examination room with no specific additional mechanism regarding staff organization. The perceived barriers were lack of training of all staff, workload, stock-outs of consumables and lack of motivation of staff. Key facilitators included political environment, ease of use of test and acceptability to pregnant women. Conclusions Onsite testing for antenatal syphilis is a feasible and acceptable intervention in ANC at primary health facility in Burkina Faso. The point-of care test for syphilis is more likely to be acceptable by health workers as routine service and incorporated as a normal practice. Trial registration The study was retrospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov under the Trial Registration Number NCT03156751

Improved processing for the production of cereal-based fermented porridge enriched in folate using selected lactic acid bacteria and a back slopping process

The objective was to study the effect of two selected lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus plantarum 6.2 and Lactobacillus ferment= 8.2, on folate production in a cereal-based fermented porridge called ben-saalga. We profited from previous improvements in processing to produce porridges with higher energy content, by including a combination of precooking and inoculation with amylolytic strains (Lactobacillus plantar= A6 or Lactobacillus ferment= MW2), which we combined with the folate producing strains. For comparison with the action of natural microbiota, fermentation was performed by traditional and back slopping process. Folate contents were determined microbiologically. Porridges prepared with starter cultures L plantarran 6.2 + L. fermenturn MW2 or L. ferment= 8.2 + L plantarwn A6 had significantly higher (p < 0.05) folate contents (7.1 and 7.3 mu g/100 g fresh matter respectively) than the porridge prepared using the traditional process (4.2 mu g/100 g fresh matter). Back slopping also enabled an interesting increase in folate contents (6.1 mu g/100 g fresh matter, p < 0.05). Five minutes of cooking had no significant impact on folate contents of the porridges. These results underline the feasibility of new ways to produce folate rich foods available to the poorest populations using local materials with slight modification of the processes