Is Fermented Zobo Drink Healthy

There is a strong debate on the health benefits of fermented zobo drinks. This is because fermentation can alter the nutritional benefits of most food.

fermented zobo drink

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Zobo is a popular beverage drink in Nigeria and popularly referred to as ‘Zoborodo’ in the Northern part of Nigeria. Made from Roselle leaves (Hibiscus), the delicious drink is not only refreshing but without any additional ingredients, highly nutritious and as such there are many health benefits.

It is consumed immediately or refrigerated. Poor storage can lead to spoilage. The resulting liquid tasted horrible and bad. Zobo drink can be fermented into red wine using probiotic organism Lactobacillus fermentum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Both organisms produced wines of different physicochemical properties within 24hours fermentation. There is gradual alcohol increase during the fermentation process.

How Healthy Is Fermented Zobo Drink

Fermented zobo is healthy. However, it depends on the microorganism use and duration of fermentation.

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Zobo drinks produced following fermentation for a period of 12 h did not differ much from the fresh product. Similarly, sensory qualities did not show any appreciable preference as regards overall acceptability within the same period. Fermentation by S. cerevisiae yielded products which scored higher for aroma, visual appearance, taste and overall acceptability than those by A. niger.

The increase in the carbohydrate, protein and vitamin C contents of the Zobo drink may be due to fermentative activities of S. cerevisiae or A. niger. Microbial fermentations have been linked to breakdown of various components of their substrate thereby releasing nutrients

Formulation with the brewer's yeast produced a better wine at the 12-hour fermentation time. The wine produced from fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae is safe for human consumption.