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Microbiological Study of "Ntoba-Mbodi", Fermented Cassava Leaves. Some families and small processing units proceed by way of fermentation of the cassava leaves to make "ntoba mbodi", a dish with a particular taste and flavor. The fermentation process lastes 4 days and after that the product undergoes significant alteration. During fermentation, about 70% of the cyanogenic glucosides are eliminated compared to 82 to 94% by blanching, vapor cooking or sun drying. Thus fermentation can be considered as good in eliminating cyanide as these other methods. Contrary to other plant material whose fermentation leads to an increase in acidity, fermentation of cassava leaves leads to alkalinization, with the pH rising from 6.2 to 8.9. Microbiological analyses of the fermented cassava leaves reveal the unusual presence of Micrococcus varians, Bacillus macerans, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus sciuri and Staphylococcus xylosus among the other usual microorganisms; however yeasts and Leuconostoc strains are not present. Among this micro-organisms, Bacillus macerans, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus xylosus and Erwinia spp. play an important role in with their polysaccharolytic enzymes.