Physicochemical, microbiological and sensory quality of juice mix produced from watermelon fruit pulp and baobab fruit pulp powder

Juice blending is one of the methods that can improve the nutritional quality of juices. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of juice product produced from blends of watermelon fruit pulp juice and baobab fruit pulp powder. This study was also aimed at promoting the use of underutilized African baobab and leverage on the benefits that can be derived from blending these two wonderful plant resources. Four blend ratios and codes of 100:0 (W100), 80:20 (W80B20), 60:40 (W60B40) and 50:50 (W50B50) were developed for watermelon fruit pulp juice and baobab fruit pulp powder, respectively. The physicochemical attributes, mineral composition, microbiological and sensory attributes of the samples were analyzed using standard methods. The increase in baobab fruit pulp powder concentration in watermelon fruit pulp juice increased the titratable acidity (0.24 to 0.48 %), total sugar content (6.0 to7.85 oBrix), total solid (1.30 to 1.37 %), viscosity (473.67 to 730.30 cP), Vitamin C (126.25 to 236.70 mg/100 mL), Vitamin A (18.67 to 80.33 mg/100 mL), calcium (1.97 to 3.46 %), potassium (1.09 to 2.07 %) and iron (3.10 to 4.43 ppm) contents, while decreasing the pH (5.19 to 4.08), total viable count (4.0×104 to 2.0×102 cfu/mL), yeast and mould count (3.2×104 to 0.0×100 cfu/mL) as well as sensory attributes whose values ranged from 3.80 to 7.60 on a 9-point hedonic scale. Therefore, blending watermelon fruit pulp juice and baobab fruit pulp powder has the ability to enhance the physicochemical , micronutrient content, microbiological and sensory characteristics of the samples

A Review on Potential of Some Nigerian Local Food as Source of Functional Food and Their Health Promoting Benefits

Functional food is a novel area that has occupied much interest in recent time among Food scientists and consumers due to the health promoting attributes. These special foods contain ingredients that aid specific body functions and promote our wellbeing. Since, people are becoming conscious of their healthy lifestyle, the rich repository of these unique local functional food sources which Nigeria has to offer can address these peculiar needs. This review therefore, was part of effort to compile and document some of Nigeria’s local functional food sources of plant/animal origins and project some of the potentials that are inherent in them. The review gave the most acceptable definition of functional food in view of the differing professional views on the subject matter. It highlighted the relationship between functional food and health as well as areas covered by functional foods. Finally, this review welcomed more research that could ascertain the beliefs of the people as regards the health potentials of some of the identified local foods from Nigeria as functional food sources, which are affordable and could be consumed by all

Bioactive Compounds in Fish and Their Health Benefits

Fish have received considerable attention in the last several decades due to the presence of a unique blend of bioactive compounds like omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, protein hydrolysates, polypeptides, peptides, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. The danger of developing chronic ailments such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and cancer; all-leading to mortality are observed to be lowered by increased intake of fish and fish products. The unique bioactive compounds in fish are pointers to the health benefits of fish ingestion. In this paper, bioactive compounds in fish and the health benefits associated with their consumption are reviewed

Tropical Fruits: Bioactive Properties and Health Promoting Benefits in Chronic Disease Prevention and Management

Chronic disease conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, obesity and oxidative stress continue to be a significant concern among nations of the world, which is threatening the economic and social prosperity of the people. This calls for urgent action among relevant stakeholders to explore productive and sustainable ways of addressing the incidence of these life-threatening health conditions. While medicines have been used in the treatment and management of chronic diseases, its adverse side effects over time leave much to be desired. This calls for a novel and safer approach. Tropical fruits contain a rich repository of bioactive compounds. Reports from several studies in literature indeed showed that bioactive compounds present in tropical fruits are capable of not only addressing the prevalence of chronic disease conditions, but they also have minimal to no known side effect. The broad objective of this journal article is to review the bioactive and health-promoting benefits of tropical fruits in chronic disease prevention and management. The valuable knowledge derived from this review will enable food and pharmaceutical companies to explore the production of novel functional foods/neutraceuticals and potent medicines respectively from tropical fruit sources that can be useful in chronic disease prevention and management