Advances in Food Science and Technology

Advances in Food Science and Technology ISSN: 6732-4215 Vol. 14 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Impact of Packaging Materials on the Storage Stability and Quality Attributes of Pupuru Flour

O. A. Daramola¹, M. A. Idowu¹*, O. O. Atanda¹ and C. R. B. oguntona²

¹Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
²Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Accepted 2 October, 2025

“Pupuru” is a fermented cassava product dried by smoking. This study, investigated the effects of packaging material on the quality of “pupuru” flour stored at ambient condition (30.5 ± 3°C; RH 76.5 ± 3%) for 24 weeks. Pupuru flour was packaged in polyvinyl chloride (CP), low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP). Uncovered polyvinyl chloride (UCP) was used as control. Stored samples were analyzed for changes in chemical (moisture content, pH, total titratable acidity (TTA), starch and amylose) and functional properties at two weeks interval, while pasting viscosity, microbiological (total plate (TPC) and fungi counts) and sensory qualities were determined at 4 weeks interval during storage. Packaging significantly (p > 0.05) affected the chemical, functional, microbiological and sensory qualities of “pupuru” flour during storage. Moisture content, TTA and TPC increased linearly with storage period (R2 = 0.76 - 0.99), while all other chemical, functional and pasting properties of “pupuru” flour decreased significantly (p > 0.05) except pasting time (5.60 - 5.46 min). The samples packaged in HDPE were more acceptable than those in other packaging materials and had the longest estimated shelf life.

Key words: Packaging material, quality, pupuru flour, storage, "pupuru".

Advances in Food Science and Technology ISSN: 6732-4215 Vol. 13 (5), pp. 001-010, May, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

REDD Project in Ugalla-Masito Ecosystem: Exploring Carbon Credit Potential and Community Perspectives in Kigoma, Tanzania

Nicholaus Fabian Mwageni*, Riziki Silas Shemdoe and Robert Kiunsi

Ardhi University, P.O. Box 35176, Dar esSalaam, Tanzania.

Received 4 August, 2024; Accepted 23 February, 2025

The paper presents results of the potential carbon credit and community expectations towards viability of REDD+ projects in Ugalla- Masito ecosystem using a case of Ilagala and Karago villages whereby REDD+ is being piloted. Various data collection methods were employed and these included focused group discussion, interview, structured questionnaires and document analysis. Results of the study indicate that, there are two suggested payment sharing approaches associated with different preferences at both household and village government levels. These include cash payments to households for compensating the opportunity costs incurred and the second is that funds should be given to village government for community developmental projects. Analysis of the opportunity costs, marginal (incremental) revenues from forest carbon stock as well as the conceptual trend of forest biomass indicates that, there is probability for the project to flop in a very short time. Therefore, in order to ensure the future viability of REDD+ and its associated projects as well as ensuring sustainability of people’s livelihoods, any REDD+ associated activities should harmonize community preferences and balance them with project goals by supporting communities in their alternative livelihood activities.

Key words: Carbon stock payments, community preferences and REDD+ project viability.
 

Advances in Food Science and Technology ISSN: 6732-4215 Vol. 13 (5), pp. 001-006, May, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Impact of Debittering Agent Concentration on Nutrient and Phytochemical Profiles of Lasianthera africana Leaves

Ani, J. C. 1, Inyang, U. E.2* and Udoidem, I.2

1Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
2Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

Received 11 July, 2024; Accepted 26 October, 2024

White variety of Lasianthera africana leaves were blanched in hot water (control) and in different concentrations (0.25, 0.50, 0,75, 1.00 and 1.25%) of unripe plantain peel ash solution for 3 min at 100°C, cooled, drained, oven dried (50°C) for 36 h. Then, raw leaf and all oven dried samples were analyzed for minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals. The raw leaf contained potassium (78.98±0.78 mg/100 g), calcium (190.25±0.44 mg/100 g), sodium (75.69±0.95 mg/100 g), magnesium (14.68±0.74 mg/100 g), iron (3.96±0.55 mg/100 g), zinc (5.95±0.52 mg/100 g), phosphorus (17.79±0.81 mg/100 g), ascorbic acid (109.64±0.08 mg/100 g), beta-carotene (2.86±0.04 mg/100 g), riboflavin (0.22±0.03 mg/100 g), thiamine (1.01±0.06 mg/100 g), alkaloids (2.67±0.33 g/100 g), flavonoids (0.32±0.03 g/100 g), saponins (3.09±0.04 g/100 g) and tannins (0.28±0.01 g/100 g). Blanching the leaves either in hot water or in different concentrations of unripe plantain peel ash solution led to varying losses of the minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals. Samples blanched in different levels of ash solution retained higher mineral content than hot water blanched samples. Percentage minerals retained increase with increased levels of ash in the blanching solution. Conversely, percentage retention of vitamins and phytochemicals decreased with increase in the levels of ash in the blanching solution. Ash concentration had no significant (p>0.05) effect on the levels of magnesium, zinc, beta-carotene and tannins retained in the blanched samples. For higher retention of vitamins and health benefiting phytochemicals, lower concentration of unripe plantain peel ash solution (0.50% to 0.75%) should be used to debitter L. africana leaf.

Keywords: Lasianthera africana leaf, debittering agent, minerals, vitamins, phytochemicals.
 

Advances in Food Science and Technology ISSN: 6732-4215 Vol. 13 (4), pp. 001-003, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Breeding Potential of Silkworm Pure Lines: A Genetic Evaluation for Cocoon Yield in Pakistan

Mubashar Hussain1*, Shakil Ahmad Khan2 and Muhammad Aslam1

1Department of Entomology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
2Sericulture Research Laboratory, Lahore, Parkistan.

Accepted 8 March, 2025

The fundamental aim of silkworm breeding is to get robust and sturdy silkworm larvae for easy rearing and production of best cocoons in quality and quantity for a high yielding cocoon crop. In Pakistan, efforts are being made continuously to give boost to the sericulture industry by developing pure parental silkworm lines suitable for rearing for commercial purposes. The study was carried out to evaluate genetic potential of the eleven pure silkworm lines (PAK-1, PAK-2, PAK-3, PAK-4, M- 101, M-103, M-104, M- 107, S-1, PFI-1 and PFI-2) for breeding and cocoon production during 2006 - 2008 at Sericulture Research Laboratory, Lahore. On the basis of the index values ranking M-101 (57.55), PAK-3 (52.22), PFI-2 (52.04), PFI-1 (51.14) and PAK-4 (50.52) were identified as good performer for various economically important traits and were selected for field trials, hybridization and other breeding programmes.

Key words: Inbred lines, genetic potential, Pakistan.
 

Advances in Food Science and Technology ISSN: 6732-4215 Vol. 13 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Assessing the Nutritional Potential of Wild Edible Mushrooms in West Yagba, Nigeria

M. R. Adedayo1, I. G. Olasehinde2 and A. A. Ajayi2*

1Department of Microbiology, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
2Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Accepted 8 January, 2025

Studies were carried out on four different species of wild mushrooms: Lentinus subnudus, Chlorophyllum molybditis, Marasmus species and Pleurotus tuberregium. The fungal species were analyzed for their nutritional compositions, biological and structural characteristics. The fungal species were rich in proteins (amino acids) and carbohydrates. The fibres contained in the different species were also good sources of roughages. Moreover, their low acidity confirms their edibility. This study strongly recommends the commercialization of mushroom production as a means of additional source of protein requirements and income to the people in the developing economy of Nigeria.

Key words: Mushrooms, protein content, carbohydrate content.
 

Advances in Food Science and Technology ISSN: 6732-4215 Vol. 13 (3), pp. 001-008, March, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Market Strategies and Storage Solutions for Palm Oil in Imo State: An Economic Perspective

Nwauwa Linus Onyeka Ezealaji

Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected].
Tel: +2348054818134.

Accepted 16 September, 2024

Abstract

The major objective of the study is to determine the profitability or otherwise of palm oil storage and marketing among the people of Imo state of Nigeria. Data for the study were collected by the use of questionnaire purposively distributed among the respondents who processed palm oil stored and marketed by themselves and those who do not process the same. These data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and gross margin analysis to determine the costs and return of palm oil from the processing and storage points to the various marketing outlets. Socio-economic characteristics of the respondents showed that the non-processors of palm oil stored and marketed acquired more education than the processors while majority of the marketers are 50 years and above. The results of this study further showed that the average gross marketing margin per drum of palm oil under storage was N6,164.64k for respondents processing their own oil for storage and N5,345.33k for respondents who do not process their own palm oil (that is, who purchased, stored and marketed palm oil). The best periods to buy and sell palm oil stored were found to be within the months of March and September respectively. The result further concluded that the hypothesis that there is no significant difference in the net returns of palm oil resulting from its storage is significant at 1% level. On the basis of the findings, the study recommends that processors of palm oil stored and market should acquire formal education in other to boost their profit level and government to provide incentives such as modern method of processing palm oil to encourage youths into the business.

Key words: Marketing, palm oil, storage and processing.