Abstract:
Jikita is a traditional Ethiopian fermented beverage made from cereals, characterized by its
alcohol content and thick Consistency. There is no scientific report on microbiology, safety
and physicochemical properties of the beverage, so far like Jikita. This study aimed to
evaluate the microbial quality, safety, and physicochemical properties of Jikita. A total of 30
samples were collected from Gedo and Babicha districts in the west Shewa zone. The
research employed a cross-sectional study design to gather information on traditional
preparation techniques and the socio-economic significance of the product. Standard
methods were used to enumerate microbes, to determine physicochemical properties, assess
nutritional content, and isolate Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp. The data
obtained were analyzed using SPSS software version 20. The results showed that the majority
of Jikita vendors (41.1%) were aged between 31 and 40 years, and all vendors were female.
None of the vendors used special cloth for selling the product. The mean microbial counts
(CFU/ml) were dominated by aerobic mesophilic bacteria (6.13 ± 0.77), followed by yeasts
(5.98 ± 0.51), lactic acid bacteria (5.83 ± 0.62), aerobic bacterial spore (5.40 ± 0.70),
Enterbacteriaceae (4.99 ± 0.74), coliform (4.79 ± 0.67), staphylococci (3.29 ± 0.49), and
molds (2.67 ± 1.18). A total of 727 isolates were characterized and grouped into seven
genera, with 89.27% being gram-positive and 10.73% gram-negative bacteria. Salmonella
spps was not detected throughout the fermentation period. The Jikita samples had mean
values for pH (3.67±0.09), Titratable acidity (0.36±0.10), moisture content (76.42±3.02),
total solid content (23.23±2.85), and alcohol content (5.22±0.74). The microbial dynamics in
Jikita fermentation showed higher counts of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, aerobic bacterial
spore, and staphylococci, while lactic acid bacteria and yeasts exceeded other microbes at
the end of fermentation. The microbial quality of Jikita samples was not good, necessitating
special attention to address the issue.
