Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences1028-88801812-5735Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/pjbs.2011.933.938AhaotuI. OguekeC.C. OwuamanamC.I. AhaotuN.N. NwosuJ.N. 1220111420The ability of microorganisms involved in cassava mash fermentation to produce and improve protein value by these microorganisms during fermentation was studied. Standard microbiological procedures were used to isolate, identify and determine the numbers of the organisms. Alcaligenes faecalis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus subtilis, Leuconostoc cremoris, Aspergillus niger, A. tamari, Geotrichum candidum and Penicillium expansum were isolated and identified from cassava waste water while standard analytical methods were used to determine the ability of the isolates to produce linamarase and the proximate composition, pH and titrable acidity of the fermenting mash. The linamarase activity of the isolates ranged from 0.0416 to 0.2618 μmol mL-1 nmol-1. Bacillus subtilis, A. niger, A. tamari and P. expansum did not express any activity for the enzyme. Protein content of mash fermented with mixed fungal culture had the highest protein value (15.4 mg/g/dry matter) while the raw cassava had the least value (2.37 mg/g/dry matter). The naturally fermented sample had the least value for the fermented samples (3.2 mg/g/dry matter). Carbohydrate and fat contents of naturally fermented sample were higher than values obtained from the other fermented samples. Microbial numbers of the sample fermented with mixed bacterial culture was highest and got to their peak at 48 h (57x108 cfu g-1). pH decreased with increase in fermentation time with the mash fermented by the mixed culture of fungi having the lowest pH of 4.05 at the end of fermentation. Titrable acidity increased with increase in fermentation time with the highest value of 1.32% at 96 h of fermentation produced by the mixed culture of fungi. Thus fermentation with the pure cultures significantly increased the protein content of mash.]]>Achinewhu, S.C. and C.I. Owuamanam,200141821Adindu, M.N. and A.B.I. Aprioku,200624135138Akintonwa, A., O. Tunwashe and A. Onifade,1994375285288Amoa-Awua, W.K., F.E. Appoh and M. Jaobsen,1996318798AOAC.,199015th Edn.,Iyayi, E.A. and D.M. Losel,20016116118Cardoso, A.P., E. Mirione, M. Ernesto, F. Massaza, J. Cliff, M.R. Haque and J.H. Bradbury,200518451460Cooper, T.,1977Cowan, S.T., 19852nd Edn.,Dixon, A.G.D., R. Asiedu and M. Bokanga,1994375151161Ejiofor, M.A.N. and N. Okafor,19811981pp: 154-158pp: 154-158Ermans, A.M.,1980Pages: 182Pages: 182Ernesto, M., A.P. Cardoso, D. Nicala, E. Mirione and F. Massaza et al.,200282357362Essers, A.J.A., M.H.J. Bennik and M.J.R. Nout,199511266270Ezekiel, O.O., O.C. Aworh, H.P. Blaschek and T.C. Ezeji,2010Trichoderma viride (ATCC 36316).]]>9187194FAO.,1984Vol. 38,pp: 130pp: 130Gregory, K.F.,19771977pp: 7278Gregory, K.F., A.E. Reae, G.L. Khor, J.C. Alexander, J.H. Lumsden and G. Losos,1976303035Kimaryo, V.M., G.A. Massawe, N.A. Olasupo and W.H. Holzapfel, 200056179190Kobawila, S.C., D. Louembe, S. Keleke, J. Hounhouigan and C. Gamba,20054689696Nwachukwu, S.U. and A.W.A. Edwards,198913942Nweke, F.I., J.K. Lynam and D.S.C. Spencer,2002Michigan State University Press,Brien, M.G.O., A.J. Taylor and N. Poulter,199156277289Obilie, E.M., K. Tano-Debrah and W.K. Amoa-Awua,200493115121Okafor, N.,197742279284Okafor, N. and M.A.N. Ejiofor,1985Leuconostoc mesenteroides, production, isolation and some properties.]]>36667678Okafor, N. and M.A.N. Ejiofor,1986Manihot esculenta Crantz).]]>2327338Okolie, N.P., I.N. Ibeh and E.N. Ugochukwu,199244137139Onabolu, A.,2001pp: 6-7pp: 6-7Osuntokun, B.O.,19731973pp: 127-138pp: 127-138Owuamanam, C.I., J.O. Iwouno, N.C. Ihediohanma and L.I. Barber,20109980986Owuamanam, C.I., C.C. Ogueke, S.C. Achinewhu and I.S. Barimalaa,20116374384Oyewole, O.B.,200165213218Oyewole, O.B. and S.A. Odunfa,1990 fufu production. ]]>68145152Plummer, D.T.,19711st Edn.,Rosling, H.,19881988Sokari, T.G. and P.S. Karibo,19929379384Srinorakutara, T., L. Kaewvimol and L. Saengow,2006317784Ubalua, A.O.,2007620652073Vasconcelos, A.T., D.R. Twiddy, A. Westby and P.J.A. Reilly,199025198203Wahua, T.A.T.,1999pp: 129-161pp: 129-161