Fermentation of Corn Starch Powder for the Production of “Ogi”

Ogi was produced by fermenting corn starch powder for 24h and 48h using a seed culture (omidium) as a starter culture. Physicochemical properties such as pH, titratable acidity, viscosity, swelling power solubility, and proximate composition were determined. The sensory properties of the ogi produced was also determined and compared with ogi produced from the traditional method. The results of the proximate analysis showed that the carbohydrate content of sample B(fermented corn starch for 24h) is 78.47% and sample C(fermented corn starch for 48h) is 77.43% were significantly higher (p<0.05) when compared to the traditional method-sample A(73.43%).Protein content (10.63%) and fat content (5.10%) of sample A were significantly higher (p£0.05) than sample B (9.5%) (1.0%) and sample C (9.86%) (1.70%) respectively. The pH of ogi decreased from 5.18 at the beginning of the fermentation to 3.60 at the end of 48h. Whereas the titratable acidity increased from 0.27% to 0.63% after 48h of fermentation. The viscosity of the ogi in the gelatinized state increased as the fermentation period increased from 24h to 48h. There was ignificant (p³0.05) difference in color, flavor, aroma, taste, sourness, mouth feel and overall acceptability between sample A, C and B. The pH, titratable acidity, textural and sensory properties of ogi produced from corn starch powder that was fermented for 48h were more acceptable than ogi produced through the traditional method and from corn starch powder that was fermented for 24h.