Nutritional and sensory evaluation of tempe-fortified maize-based weaning foods.

Maize-based weaning foods prepared from whole maize meal or dehydrated fermented maize (ogi) flour fortified with soybean, cowpea or groundbean tempe, with or without the addition of melon seed flour were fed to 40 albino weanling rats. The nutrient quality of the weaning foods was monitored by the measurement of protein efficiency ratio (PER), net protein ratio (NPR), true digestibility (TD), biological value (BV) and net protein utilization (NPU). Amino acid composition and amino acid scores were determined. The weaning foods were also evaluated for sensory properties and acceptability by nursing mothers and their children. Protein efficiency ratio, net protein retention and net protein utilization of the fortified weaning foods were not significantly different (P > 0.05) when compared to casein diet (control). True digestibility of tempe-fortified maize-based weaning foods averaged 85.4 +/- 3.4% compared to 94.4%, for casein diet. Results from sensory analysis showed that relative to tempe-fortified maize-based weaning foods, most mothers preferred Cerelac, a commercial weaning food, and its porridge because of its vanillic flavour and sweet taste. Despite the low scores recorded for aroma and taste of tempe-fortified maize-based weaning foods, most mothers and their children found porridges prepared from these foods acceptable, with a preference for ogi fortified with cowpea tempe. Tempe-fortified maize-based weaning foods had high protein quality and can support the growth of infants in developing countries especially during the critical weaning period (6-12 months). They were comparable to Cerelac, a commercial baby food in colour and texture.

Emulsifying properties of three African food hydrocolloids: okra (Hibiscus esculentus), dika nut (Irvingia gabonensis), and khan (Belschmiedia sp.).

This study investigated the emulsifying properties of okra (Hibiscus esculentus), dika nut (Irvingia gabonensis) and khan (Belschmiedia sp.), three African food hydrocolloids used to thicken and flavor soups. Results showed that khan has an emulsion potential approximately 20 and 100 times higher than the second and the first, respectively. A kinetic study indicated that the mechanism involved formation of thick and strong interfacial gum films around the oil globules, in addition to a high Water Absorption Capacity and weak gelling behavior of khan gum in solution. These results indicated that, when used in soups, which are typical oil/water emulsions, khan contribute both to thickening and stabilizing of the emulsion, whereas okra and dika nut functioned more as thickeners than as emulsion stabilizers.

Influence of sundrying on the chemical composition, aflatoxin content and fungal counts of two pepper varieties--Capsicum annum and Capsicum frutescens.

Samples of sundried, matured red pepper, Capsicum annum with a moisture content (MC) of 12.7-26.8 percent had on dry weight basis, vitamin C, 5.0-6.4 mg/100 g; crude protein, 0.8-1.2 percent; total soluble solids, 3.3-4.1 percent, and fungal counts of log 4.4-4.5/g. Ordinary matured red C. annum had MC, 75.7-78.2 percent vitamin C, 36.1-38.5 mg/100 g; crude protein, 2.4-2.8 percent; total soluble solids, 9.3-9.9 percent and fungal count of log 3.32-3.39/g. Sundried matured red C. frutescens had corresponding values of 9.4-18.7 percent; 5.8-6.3 mg/100 g; 0.8-1.1 percent; 0.9-2.6 percent and log 3.2-3.4/g. No aflatoxins were detected in sundried, matured red C. frutescens, but aflatoxin B1 values obtained from C. annum varied from non-detectable to 2.2 micrograms/kg. Dominant fungi isolated from C. annum and C. frutescens were Rhizopus oryzaze, Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Geotrichum candidum and Saccharomyces spp.

Physico-chemical properties and acceptability of yam flour substituted with soy flour.

Yam flour was substituted 10, 20 and 40% with defatted and full fat soy flour. The effect of the substitution on the proximate composition, swelling power, solubility, water binding capacity and Brabender visco amylograph cooking properties of the yam flour and acceptability of the cooked paste (amala), were evaluated. Protein contents of the mixtures were 23.0 and 25.5% on substituting 40% full-and defatted soy flours for yam flour, ash and crude fibre contents increased while carbohydrate content, swelling power, Brabender paste viscosities decreased with increase in soy flour substitution of yam flour. Colour, texture, taste and overall acceptability of pastes (amala) from the mixed flours were rated lower than that of yam flour. Up to 10% defatted and 20% full fat soy flour substitution for yam flour was acceptable for amala.

Evaluation of amaranth grains for ogi manufacture.

Grain amaranth was evaluated for its ogi making quality. Amaranth, which produced lower (70%) yield of ogi than corn (80%), had higher protein content of 12.2% for its ogi than that of corn with a corresponding value of 6.7%. Nutrient losses were lower for amaranth than corn ogi. Amylograph pasting viscosity showed that amaranth ogi had slightly higher peak viscosity and lower setback value than corn ogi. It was apparent that amaranth grains would be suitable for ogi manufacture.