English

Abstract

Degue is a traditional fermented millet-based food which is consumed in Burkina Faso and other countries of West Africa. A total of 125 strains of bacteria were selected from 16 samples of degue. Isolates were studied by determination of morphological and biochemical characteristics. Among the 125 strains of lactic acid bacteria selected, 68 strains were identified as Lactobacillus and 57 strains as Lactococcus. The representative species of the Lactobacillus were: Lactobacillus plantarum (25.6%), Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp delbrueckii (11.2%), Lactobacillus acidophilus (7.2%), Lactobacillus brevis (4.8%), Lactobacillus buchneri (8%). Lactobacillus cellobiosus (4%), Lactobacillus pentosus (2.4%), Lactobacillus crispatus (1.6%), Lactobacillus fermentum (1.6%), Lactobacillus curvatus (0.8%), Lactobacillus paracasei subsp paracasei (0.8%). Among the 57 strains of lactic acid coccus isolated predominated Pediococcus damnosus strains (14.4%), followed by Lactococcus lactis subsp lactis (6.4%), Pediococcus pentosaceus (3.2%), Pediococcus sp. (3.2%), Leuconostoc lactis (1.6%), Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp mesenteroides (0.8%), Pediococcus acidilactici (0.8%), Lactococcus curvatus (0.8%) and Tetragenococcus halophilus (0.8%). Many Gram negative bacteria were also isolated as coliforms and proteolic strains that can play a negative contribution on the quality of degue. Key words: Fermented millet, degue, Lactobacillus sp., Enterobacteria.