African Journal of
Microbiology Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Microbiol. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0808
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJMR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 5225

Full Length Research Paper

Staphylococci and other selected microbiota associated with indigenous traditional beer

J. F. R. Lues1, B. K. Ikalafeng1, M. Maharasoa1, K. Shale1, N. J. Malebo1* and E. Pool2
1School for Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, P/Bag X20539, Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa. 2University of Western Cape, Private Bag X 17, Bellville, 7535, Western Cape, South Africa.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 30 May 2011
  •  Published: 04 July 2011

Abstract

The nature and origin of indigenous traditional beer, makes it is prone to spoilage by a variety of microbiota in particular post-fermentation. In this study, samples of commercially and homebrewed indigenous traditional beer were collected using sterile sampling Whirl-pak® bags from local informal brewers in typical marginal urban settlements of South Africa.  Both commercially and homebrewed traditional beer recorded the mean counts for total coliforms and Staphylococcus spp. circa 10cfu.ml-1 whereas the mean TVC and total fungi counts amounted to 10and 10cfu.ml-1, respectively. The counts from homebrewed indigenous traditional beer were about one log-phase higher than its commercial counterpart. Further characterisation of staphylococci identifiedStaphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus xylosus,Staphylococcus homonis and Staphylococcus saprophyticusS. aureus was the dominant species in both traditional beers and S. saprophyticus and S. homonis were the least identified. The implementation of sanitation guidelines, licensing of informal brewers, training programmes in aspects such as good manufacturing practices, five keys to safer food is a prerequisite in the study area and the rest of South Africa.

 

Key words: Indigenous traditional beer, food safety, microbiota, staphylococci.