Abstract

The effects of different packaging materials; low density polyethelene (LDPE), high density polyethelene (HDPE), Hessian bags and plastic buckets on the shelf stability of garri produced from cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) under tropical ambient temperature was evaluated for 6 months duration. Results indicates that total viable bacteria count increased gradually from 3.0 x 10¹ to 9.9 x 10³, 1.01 x 10³, 1.36 x 10³ and 1.10 x 10³ cfu/g for LDPE, HDPE, Hessian band and plastic bucket, respectively. Whereas the total viable fungi count increased from no growth to 3.6 x 10⁶, 4.1 x 10⁴, 3.1 x 10⁴, and 1.2 10⁷ cfu/g for LDPE, HDPE, Hessian and plastic bucket, respectively. Four fungal genera (Apsergillus, Penicilium, Fusarium andRhizopus) and two bacterial genera (Bacillus and Staphylococcus) were detected and isolated. Slight decrease was recorded in the pH with a corresponding slight increase in the titratable acidity (TA) in all the packaging materials. The degree of deterioration in the carbohydrates, protein, lipid, ash and fibre content were in the order of plastic bucket>LDPE>Hessian>HDPE. Overall acceptability scores shows that the various attributes evaluated were significant at various levels amongst the various packaging materials. Findings and data obtained may be useful in developing indices for shelf stability of garri for possible industrialization.

Key words:  Packaging materials, shelf stability, garri, tropical temperature.