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Physicochemical, Mineral and Sensory Characteristics of Cashew Nut Milk
Emelike Nkechi Juliet Tamuno,
Akusu Ohwesiri Monday
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, March 2019
Pages:
1-6
Received:
11 January 2019
Accepted:
18 February 2019
Published:
15 March 2019
Abstract: Physicochemical and sensory characteristics of cashew nut milk were investigated. Cashew nut milk was produced and added with sugar and vanilla flavour at different proportions. The proximate and mineral composition of the plain cashew nut milk was analysed, as well as the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of the cashew nut milk containing sugar and vanilla flavour were analysed. The results revealed a reasonable amount of protein (5.00%), fat (5.49%), ash (0.90%) and carbohydrate (5.95%) in the plain cashew nut milk with high moisture content of 82.66%. Physicochemical analysis showed that the cashew kernel milk with only sugar content had higher sugar value of 14% and specific gravity of 1.06g/cm3 but low in pH (5.60) than other samples. Viscosity was higher for the plain milk (2.80Cp) with low acidity (0.04%) than other samples. The plain cashew nut milk sample contained appreciable quantities of calcium (4.75mg/100g), potassium (7.15mg/100g), iron (3.00mg/100g), magnesium (2.00mg/100g) and phosphorus (2.00mg/100g). The sensory analysis showed that the cashew kernel milk with only sugar incorporation was most acceptable for all sensory parameters and this is in correspondence to the total sugar content as this sample had more sugar as compared to others. The addition of sugar and vanilla flavour significantly (p<0.05) affected the pH, titratable acidity and sensory properties of cashew kernel milk. The incorporation of sweeteners in cashew kernel milk should be encouraged and the milk utilized by health conscious individuals so as to stabilize the cost of dairy milk.
Abstract: Physicochemical and sensory characteristics of cashew nut milk were investigated. Cashew nut milk was produced and added with sugar and vanilla flavour at different proportions. The proximate and mineral composition of the plain cashew nut milk was analysed, as well as the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of the cashew nut milk containin...
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Marketability of Value-added Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) Fruit in a Representative Peri-urban Kenyan Market
Jedidah Wanjiku Kiharason,
Dorcas Khasungu Isutsa
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, March 2019
Pages:
7-13
Received:
20 January 2019
Accepted:
27 February 2019
Published:
19 March 2019
Abstract: Pumpkin (C. moschata Duch.) fruit is a highly nutritious horticultural crop with great potential for commercialization. However, in Kenya many households do not buy and utilize pumpkins regularly, leading to low demand. These scenarios increase post-harvest losses and provide no incentive for farmers to increase production in Kenya, which has an abundance of pumpkin landraces that unfortunately remain under-exploited and under-utilized. Their distribution and marketing is a great challenge due to easy perishability. Horticultural crops experience losses in quality and quantity in between harvest and consumption. The magnitude of post-harvest losses in fresh fruits and vegetables is estimated to range from 20% to 50% in developing countries. The present study determined marketability of fresh fruit, and the spoilage rate of fresh fruit in the various presentation formats (eighth, quarter and half slices and a control of whole fruit either wrapped or not with cling film). Selling was facilitated by four market women in Nyeri County of Kenya. Statistical analysis showed significant differences (P<0.05) in number of spoilt pieces over time, and between number of days to spoilage of whole fruit, compared to slice fruit. More quarter and half slices got spoiled after a few days of presentation to buyers. Nonetheless, quarter slices had the highest (54.5%) pieces sold, while half slices had the fewest (9.8%) pieces sold. However, no significant differences occurred in average number of pieces sold, or in amount of money from sale of fruit pieces of different presentation formats. Most consumers preferred buying smaller slices. Therefore, adoption and promotion of pumpkin presentation formats that effectively increase shelf-life is recommended to enhance production and utilization in Kenya.
Abstract: Pumpkin (C. moschata Duch.) fruit is a highly nutritious horticultural crop with great potential for commercialization. However, in Kenya many households do not buy and utilize pumpkins regularly, leading to low demand. These scenarios increase post-harvest losses and provide no incentive for farmers to increase production in Kenya, which has an ab...
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Shelf-Life of Pumpkin Fruit Slices, Flour and Blended Products
Jedidah Wanjiku Kiharason,
Dorcas Khasungu Isutsa
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, March 2019
Pages:
14-25
Received:
20 January 2019
Accepted:
17 March 2019
Published:
10 April 2019
Abstract: Pumpkin has high potential of generating income and overcoming food insecurity. Today’s consumer looks upon the food industry to provide healthy, attractive convenience products that remain wholesome for long. However, spoilage of horticultural produce results due to improper handling and microbial attack. Microbial spoilage is the major factor limiting shelf-life of fresh produce and processed products. It arises from improper handling and spore contamination, leading to economic loss. The objective of the present study was to determine whether shelf-life of value-added pumpkin products could be prolonged by wrapping, drying, or processing. The study used products in three experiments: (1) pumpkin fresh fruit (presented as whole, half slices or quarter slices plus or minus clear shrink wrap); (2) pure flour (dried using oven, enhanced solar, or open sun); and (3) bakery products (cake, cookies, scones, mandazi, bread, porridge, chapatti or irio blended with 0%, 5%, 20%, 50% or 90% pumpkin flour). All experiments were conducted in completely randomized design, replicated four times and repeated once. Pooled average data values were subjected to analysis of variance and significantly different means were separated using the least significantly difference test at α = 0.05. Plate Count Agar and Potato Dextrose Agar were used to determine total viable counts and fungi, respectively, on pumpkin fresh fruit, dried flour and blended products, while MacConkey Agar was used to assess enteric bacteria in dried flour and blended products. Results showed significant differences (P<0.0001) in number of days taken for the tested samples to get spoilt. Slicing fruit drastically reduced shelf-life from 142 days to about 3 to 5 days. There were significant differences (P<0.0001) in shelf-life of flour from the three drying methods. Enhanced solar dried flour had longest shelf-life of 11.5 months. Bacilli were the dominant bacteria in fresh fruit slices, while flour had bacilli and cocci, which were also dominant in blended products. Significant difference (P<0.0001) occurred in moisture content of cake, mandazi and scones with various flour-blending levels. Cookies had the longest shelf-life of 64 days, while irio, chapatti and porridge got spoilt after two days. Significant differences occurred in microbial counts of the various flour-blended products throughout the storage periods. Baked products with up to 20% pumpkin flour-blend had great potential of remaining wholesome for longest storage period and hence are recommended for adoption.
Abstract: Pumpkin has high potential of generating income and overcoming food insecurity. Today’s consumer looks upon the food industry to provide healthy, attractive convenience products that remain wholesome for long. However, spoilage of horticultural produce results due to improper handling and microbial attack. Microbial spoilage is the major factor lim...
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Production of Healthy Chips Ready to Eat Using Potato, Green Pea and Lupine Flour for Malnourished Children
Maha I. K. Ali,
Esraa A. M. Mousa,
Naglaa A. A. Hassan
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, March 2019
Pages:
26-34
Received:
25 February 2019
Accepted:
10 April 2019
Published:
6 May 2019
Abstract: Potato chips are the most popular snack consumed especially by children. These chips are considered unhealthy due to high levels of fat and salt content. This study was conducted to produce healthy chips from potato, lupine and green pea flour and enhance the nutritional value of chips. The chips were prepared using Potato, lupine and green pea flour at different ratios (100%:0%:0%, 90%:10%:0%, 85%:15%:0%, 90%:0%:10%, 85%:0%:15%, 80%:10%:10% and 70%:15%:15% respectively). Proximate analysis, minerals content, amino acids composition, physicochemical analysis, biological active compounds analysis and sensory evaluation were carried out on the product chips samples. It showed that moisture content ranged between (7.43-8.77), protein content (7.89-16.07), crude ether extract content (3.90-6.31), ash content (3.00-3.75), crude fiber (2.75-4.12) and carbohydrate content (74.77-61.66). The Minerals analysis revealed that sample G (70% potato flour and 15% lupine flour and 15% green pea flour) was the highest in potassium, iron, calcium and zinc content with low sodium content. The amino acids composition was found that the sample G contained the highest percentage of the essential amino acids including (lysine, phenylalanine threonine and valine). Physicochemical analysis revealed the following ranges: bulk density (0.74-0.91g/ml), water absorption (1.70-1.94g/g), swelling capacity (1.12-1.95ml/g) and pH (5.44 -5.89). Biological active compounds analysis reported the following ranges (mg/100g): total phenolic content (790.84 -1783.64) and antioxidant activity (82.78%-97.16%). While, sensory evaluation results showed that no significant difference between the products of the seven chips samples. Conclusively healthy chips can be prepared successfully from each potato, green Pea as well as lupine Flour as a nutritious snack to children suffering from malnutrition.
Abstract: Potato chips are the most popular snack consumed especially by children. These chips are considered unhealthy due to high levels of fat and salt content. This study was conducted to produce healthy chips from potato, lupine and green pea flour and enhance the nutritional value of chips. The chips were prepared using Potato, lupine and green pea flo...
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