Berinyuy et al. (2026, June 10). The Effects of Local Preservation Methods on the Nutritional Content of Yellow Corn (Zea Mays) in Bamngam Village, Bui Division, Cameroon. Special Edition. The Journal of Tertiary and Industrial Sciences (JTIS), HTTTC Kumba. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20574551
Ruth Berinyuy1
Gillian Nkeudem Asoba1
Fidelis Sameh Ebong1
Aristide Guillaume Silapeux Kamda1
Metuge Samuel1
Irene UleNgoleSumbele 2*
Sumbelei@yahoo.co.uk/sumbele.irene@ubuea.cm
1Department of Social Economy and Family Management, Higher Technical Teachers’ Training College, University of Buea, Kumba, Cameroon.
2Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
*Corresponding author
To cite: Berinyuy et al. (2026, June 10). The Effects of Local Preservation Methods on the Nutritional Content of Yellow Corn (Zea Mays) in Bamngam Village, Bui Division, Cameroon. Special Edition. The Journal of Tertiary and Industrial Sciences (JTIS), HTTTC Kumba. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20574551
Submission Date: 13/02/2026 Acceptance Date: 22/05/2026
Abstract
Corn is a staple food in the Bamngam village and other communities in Cameroon. It has been suggested that the type of post- harvest preservation methods of yellow corn affect its nutritional quality but no study has specifically investigated this claim in the Bamngam village. This study was carried out to identify the different local storage methods used for the preservation of yellow corn in Bamngam village in the North West Region of Cameroon and to determine the effect of each method on the nutritional quality of corn. Questionnaires were used to investigate the different storage techniques of corn used by farmers in this community. Corn samples stored under three different conditions were collected from a selected farmer and transported to the laboratory in ENSAI Ngaoundere for analysis. Results showed that 60% of corn in the village is stored in barns, 20% by husk hung outside and 20% stored as free grains in plastic containers (hermetic storage). The dry matter content (88.4 ± 0.56) and fibre content (10.16 ± 0.96) of corn samples from hermetic storage were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in other storage methods while the water (11.55 ± 0.56) and protein content (7.16 ± 0.24) were significantly lower in corn from hermetic storage. The ash, lipid and sugar contents of the samples were not affected by the different storage techniques. Corn from the barn had significant (p < 0.05) higher iron content (4.34± 0.21) while corn samples from hermetic storage had significant (p < 0.05) higher phosphate content (683.83 ± 93.49). In addition, the zinc (6.80 ± 1.18) and calcium (120.61 ± 28.09) contents of the corn from the husk hanging outside and the barn were significantly higher than in other storage conditions. The magnesium content of the samples was not affected by these storage methods. The results also showed that corn stored in plastic containers had healthy non-moldy seed that were least damaged by insects. On the other hand, the seeds from barn and hung outside showed a decrease in quality as compared to those in sealed plastic containers. The microbial analysis showed that total coliform bacteria were of acceptable level in all the three samples, yeast and mold were present in the three samples in the not satisfactory level. Total aerobic mesophilic flora was found at the acceptable level for corn stored in plastic container and not satisfactory level for corn stored in barn and hung outside. The nutritional content of corn in Bamngam is affected by storing methods and corn stored in sealed plastic container should be adopted as storing method of corn.
Keywords: Corn, local storage, nutritional content, storage structure, Bamngam