Phytochemical Screening and Multivariate Analysis on Physicochemical and Nutraceutical Value of Kocho from False Banana (Enset)

Enset (Ensete ventricosum) is one of Ethiopia's most important food crops. The objective of the present study is to evaluate (using multivariate analysis) the effect of fermentation time, varietal differences, and treatment with gammicho on the physicochemical and nutraceuticals of kocho obtained from false banana in highly cultivated areas such as Disa Kera and Koysha Gorta of Dawro zone, Loma Woreda, South Nations' Nationalities People Regions, Ethiopia. The analyses were carried out for fresh and fermented (with and without local starter, gammicho) enset kocho varieties (Meazia and Katania) harvested in two locations. Statistical analysis of the acquired data was performed using Minitab software version 19. It was discovered that each factor influenced significantly (p ≤ 0.05) the qualities of kocho independently and with interaction. After four months of fermentation with gammicho, various parameters such as fat (1.69 to 0.62%), fiber (11.46 to 2.79%), pH (6.50 to 3.00), and moisture were dramatically decreased (9.34 to 2.8%). On the other hand, some dietary elements in both kinds were reduced with increasing fermentation time, including ash (2.07 to 3.57%), protein (3.08 to 5.52%), and carbs (71.87 to 84.55%). The results of this study suggest that Meazia has superior physicochemical and nutritional qualities over Katania.