Microbial diversity, aflatoxin M1 contamination and potential lactic acid starters for commercially produced traditional fermented dairy beverages, a case of Bongo from Uganda

This was a cross sectional study that examined the microbial ecology and aflatoxin M1 contamination in commercially produced Bongo, a traditionally fermented dairy beverage from Uganda. It also involved isolation and preliminary evaluation of defined starter cultures for Bongo. Microbial analyses were done by agar plating. Microbial identification was initially done by biochemical testing and microscopy. Followed by 16S rRNA and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region sequencing for bacteria and yeasts, respectively. Community DNA was studied using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). Aflatoxin M1 was determined using Ultra High Pressure Liquid Chromatography - Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry. (GTG)₅ Rep PCR fingerprinting was used to cluster candidates for starter culture evaluation. The rates of acidification of cow milk by candidate LAB coupled with sensory acceptability of the milk they fermented were the criteria for the selection of the starter cultures. Results indicated that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeasts were the dominant groups. Molds, coliforms, enterococci and staphylococci were also detected. Aflatoxin M1 were insignificant. Based on agar plating technique, lactococci and lactobacilli were dominant, however, NGS showed Streptococci. Agar plating also showed Saccharomyces as dominant, but NGS showed Dipodascus. Cluster analysis identified 18 LAB, which were evaluated for starter culture properties. Three showed promise suggesting that they could be used for commercial production of cultured milks like Bongo.