Advances in Food Science and Technology

Advances in Food Science and Technology ISSN: 6732-4215 Vol. 4 (7), pp. 001-004, July, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Nutritional levels of some local vegetables from Delta State, Nigeria

*Aafang D. Edet, Nfang M. O and Okoriere R. Vincent

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria.

Accepted 20 March, 2016

Abstract

Levels of nutritional and antinutritional factors of five leafy edible green vegetables from Delta State, Nigeria were studied. These vegetables are consumed generally in this area and recently, Jatropha Curcus was added to the list of common vegetables. Analyses were done using standard analytical methods. Crude protein, crude lipid, carbohydrate, moisture, ash, crude fiber and colorific values, had values of 6.16±0.22-6.72±0.15, 4.20±0.15-4.80±0.18, 2.96±0.16-3.96±0.22, 78.78±1.42-81.77±1.45, 1.52±0.04-2.00±0.03, 1.60±0.02-4.50±0.14% and 78.92±1.55 to 83.84±1.87Kcal/100 g, respectively. The mineral contents were; sodium 4.44±0.22-5.24±0.21 ug/g, calcium 1.07±0.22-4.82±0.14, potassium 0.97±0.06-0.98±0.05, magnesium 1.45±0.15, -1.95±0.16 ug/g, iron 0.09±0.01-0.61±0.02 ug/g, zinc ND-0.09±0.002 ug/g, phosphorus 0.89±0.05-2.82±0.07 ug/g and copper ND-0.24±0.01 ug/g. The antinutrient compositions were oxalate 0.88±0.12-2.20±0.25 ug/g, phytate 6.89±0.25-13.00±0.45 ug/g and hydrocyanide 0.13±0.04-0.23±0.01 ug/g. These results showed that these vegetables contained an appreciable amount of nutrients, mineral elements and low levels of anti-nutrients and could be included in diets to supplement our daily allowance needed by the body.

Key words: Local vegetables, minerals, nutrients, antinutritional.

Advances in Food Science and Technology ISSN: 6732-4215 Vol. 4 (6), pp. 001-005, June, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Potential utilization of orange-fleshed sweet potato genotypes roots in the creation of β-carotene rich chips in Nigeria

*Obimba Uzor Kalu, Okinigbo O. J. and Utuedor T. Cletus

Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa, Nigeria.

Accepted 08 March, 2016

Abstract

Orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) varieties are being propagated in Nigeria to aid in combating dietary vitamin A deficiency in the country due to their high content of β-carotene (a precursor of vitamin A in humans). Tuberous roots of yellow and orange fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) genotypes were assessed in Nigeria for their potential usage in the production of fried pro-vitamin A rich chips. Results showed that while the fresh OFSP roots had 38.68 to 66.36 µg/g β-carotene content, their fried chips had 27.54 to 60.49 µg/g β-carotene content. Selected semi-trained Nigerian sensory assessors relatively liked these pro-vitamin A rich chips (that can serve as a functional food) with varying level of acceptance for most of the evaluated sensory parameters (sugariness, crispness and overall acceptability).

Key words: Orange-fleshed sweet potato, fried chips, β-carotene, pro-vitamin A, functional food, Nigeria.

Advances in Food Science and Technology ISSN: 6732-4215 Vol. 4 (5), pp. 001-009, May, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Biochemical evaluation of mineral and some anti-nutritional constituents of Aspergillus niger aged Chrysophyllum albidum seed meal

*Adebayo V. Kunle, Osinbajo Daniels and Gbenga M. F

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nsukka, Nigeria.

Accepted 12 January, 2016

Abstract

Effect of fermentation using Aspergillus niger on some mineral and anti-nutritional constituents of Chrysophyllum albidum seed meal was carried out. Levels of the some minerals and anti-nutritients (like tannin, oxalate, saponin, phytate and cyanide) of the raw and fermented seed meal were determined. The percentage nutritional concentrations (%) in the raw seed were: tannin (6.23 ± 0.01), oxaloacetate (48.39 ± 0.14), saponin (1.58 ± 0.01), phytate (0.76 ± 0.03) and cyanide (1.07 ± 0.32). While level of mineral element concentrations (%) of significantly (p<0.05) high values in the raw seed where: sodium (74.13 ± 0.07), potassium (61.15 ± 1.25), phosphorus (40.76 ± 0.28) and iron (43.10 ± 0.35ppm). Fermentation however, significantly reduced levels of the anti-nutrients (like phytate, oxalate, tannin, saponin and cyanide) and minerals (like phosphorus, sodium, copper and zinc), but increased significantly, levels of minerals (like calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron) in the C. albidum seed meal. Hence the fermentation significantly (p<0.05) improved the nutritional quality of C. albidum seed meal.

Key words: Fermentation, Aspergillus niger, Chrysophyllum albidum seeds, minerals, anti-nutrients.

Advances in Food Science and Technology ISSN: 6732-4215 Vol. 4 (3), pp. 001-007, March, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Natural product borne mycoflora of Capsicum annum L (pepper), Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench (okra), and Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. (tomato) from Accra city

*Albert Casely, Kwame E. Kotaka and Emmanuel V. Pele

Department of Forestry Research, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.

Accepted 19 September, 2015

Abstract

Fungal species composition on fresh Capsicum annum L, Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench, and Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. obtained from Madina, Makola, Mallam Atta and Agbogbloshie markets in the Accra metropolis were studied. Using two media types Potato dextrose agar (PDA) and dichloran-glycerin (DG18) agar, a total of 18 fungal species belonging to 8 genera were isolated from surface sterilized and non sterilized fruits. From fruits of all four markets, species in the genera Aspergillus (5 species), Cladosporium (2 species), Fusarium (3 species), Penicillium (4 species), Mucor (1 species), Neurospora (1 species), Trichoderma (1 species) and Yeasts species were isolated. The highest (2.79 log10 CFU/g) microbial load of fungi was recorded in samples of pepper obtained from Agbogbloshie market on PDA medium whilst the least fungal load (1.69 log10CFU/g) was resident on tomato samples from Makola and Mallam Atta markets isolated on DG18. A. flavus was the most common species occurring on all the fruits from all the markets surveyed. The fresh fruits therefore ought to be handled properly to eliminate or minimize mycofloral contaminants which may prevent seed germination and its adverse effect on humans in the event of toxin production.

Key words: Mycoflora, fungal load, conidia, fruits.