Effect of cooking methods on time and nutrient retention of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan)

Protein malnutrition is widespread among the rural poor in developing countries and legumes serve as a major source of dietary protein where animal protein is very expensive. Pigeon pea is an important legume with high amount of protein, but its consumption is limited due to its hardness and time-consuming process of cooking. This study was carried out to determine effect of cooking methods on time and nutrient retention of pigeon pea as a means of promoting dietary diversity. Pigeon pea seeds were purchased from Oja Oba market in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria, cleaned, sorted, and divided into five portions. One portion was labelled as raw sample. The second portion was washed and cooked with distilled water on an electric cooker at 300ºC for 2 hours and labelled as Sample 2. The third portion was washed and cooked at 3000C for two hours, with decanting and replenishing the water, and labelled as sample 3. The fourth portion was washed and pressure-cooked with distilled water at 300ºC for 1hour and labelled as Sample 4; while the fifth portion was pressure-cooked at 300ºC for 45 minutes, decanting and replenishing the water, cooked for 15 minutes, then labelled as sample 5. The five samples were analysed in triplicates for proximate, minerals and selected vitamins composition using standard methods of AOAC. Raw pigeon pea contained 11.9g moisture, 22.1g crude protein, 3.4g fat, 3.4g ash, 59.0g carbohydrates, 47.76mg sodium, 1025.63mg potassium, 100.25mg calcium, 377.87mg phosphorus, 13.01mg iron, 11.95mg zinc, and yielded 315.8kcal energy/100g sample. Boiling, and decanting the boiling water, and pressure cooking led to significant reduction in all macronutrients (p<0.05), the reduction being most pronounced in samples with cooking water decanted. Pressure-cooked samples retained more macronutrients with highest retention recorded in pressure-cooked sample without decanting the water (p<0.05). Boiling without decanting the water had highest retention of minerals, followed by pressure-cooked sample without decanting the water, while boiled sample with decanted water retained least minerals. Pressure cooking the pigeon pea significantly reduced cooking time (p<0.05), thereby reducing cost of electricity. Pigeon pea is a good source of protein, energy, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron and zinc, and can contribute significantly to meeting nutrient needs of consumers; hence, its consumption should be encouraged as a means of dietary diversity among the populace where it is available.Keywords: Protein malnutrition, Pigeon pea, Cooking methods, Nutrient retention, Micronutrient potentialAfr. J. Food Agric. Nutr. Dev. 2019; 19(3): 14708-1472

Effect of processing methods on nutrient retention and contribution of cassava (manihot spp) to nutrient intake of Nigerian consumers

There is a global drive for promotion of indigenous foods and feedstuffs as a means of dietary diversification in meeting dietary needs of the people living the traditional lifestyle. Cassava diets constitute a staple source of energy for most Nigerians. However, there is little or no documentation on the nutrient composition, effect of processing methods on nutrient retention and contribution of these diets to nutrientintake of consumers. Nutrition information on contribution of a particular food or diet to nutrient intake of consumers is of paramount importance in food labeling and consumer acceptability. This study, therefore, aimed at providing information on nutrient composition and effect of processing methods on nutrient retention and contribution of some diets prepared from cassava. Fresh cassava roots were obtained from a farm in Alegongo area, Akobo, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Proximate and mineral composition of prepared samples was determined alongside the market samples using standard methods of Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) and atomic absorption spectrophotometry, respectively. The crude protein, lipid, fibre and ash contents of fresh cassava roots were low (0.9, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.4g/100g, respectively). Its mineral profile was: potassium 166.6, sodium 222.1, calcium 25.0, magnesium12.5, phosphorus 57.3, iron 1.7, and zinc 2.1 mg/100g sample. Processing cassava roots into various products improved availability of nutrients such as protein (1.3g in gari to 2.6g in fufu and amala), ash (0.5g in abacha to 2.6g in eba), potassium (234.5mg in three days fermented garri to 473.2mg in two days fermented lafun), calcium (22.7mg in eba to 67.3mg in two days fermented lafun), iron (1.0 – 4.3mg), zinc (2.5 – 6.7mg), as well as their calories (

Dietary Fibre and Micronutrient Potential of Underutilized Green Leafy Vegetable Sprinkles on Selected Foods

Considering the rural poor in developing countries like Nigeria, diets that are deficient in dietary fibre and micronutrients are common. Food  diversification or dietary modifications such as increased consumption of vegetables may solve the problem. This study assessed the dietary fibre and micronutrient levels of selected starchy foods (jollof rice and yam porridge) using three underutilized green leafy vegetables, namely, Ebolo (Crassocephalum crepidiodes), Odu (Solanum nigrum L), and Yanrin (Launaea teracifolia L) as sprinkles. Fresh samples of Crassocephalum crepidioides, Solanum nigrum L, and Launaea teracifolia were purchased from Ota market. The leafy parts of the vegetables were washed, cut, oven-dried at 90°C for 6 h and pulverized. Jollof rice and porridge were cooked and 2g each of dried ebolo, odu and yanrin were sprinkled on 100g of each food and stirred thoroughly. Total dietary fibre, as well as iron (Fe) and Zinc (Zn) content of the resultant diets, were determined using standard methods. The highest total dietary fibre of 8.45% was obtained in jollof rice sprinkled with Yanrin. Zn (31.75mg/kg) was highest in jollof rice sprinkled with Yanrin, and Fe (87.75mg/kg) in porridge sprinkled with Ebolo. The underutilized vegetables added more nutritional values to jollof rice and yam porridge as Ebolo, Yanrin and Odu were sprinkled on them. Keywords: Underutilized vegetables, dietary fibre, micronutrient, zinc, iro

Knowledge and Consumption Pattern of Cirina Forda (Westwood) Larva in Two Local Government Areas of Oyo State, Nigeria

Background: Insects have served as food for people for thousands of years worldwide. However, a decline is observed in insect consumption in communities where it used to be popular. Objective: The study aimed at assessing consumption pattern of Cirina forda larva in two Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Oyo State, Nigeria, where its consumption is popular. Methodology: Descriptive cross-sectional study involving 502 respondents randomly selected from Saki East and Iseyin LGAs was carried out. Pre-tested, semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on the larva from the respondents. Data was analysed using frequencies, percentages and means. Results: Mean age of respondents was 46.3±16.4 years, 99.8% were aware of existence of C. forda larva, and all had consumed it before. Majority (81.9%) of respondents consumed the larva within the past 2 years, 78.9% consumed it often. The larva was consumed either in roasted/dried (35.4%) or boiled/fried (35.9%) forms. However, 74.9% preferred its consumption as condiment in soups. Reasons for its consumption included: food habit and custom (29.7%), flavour/taste (17.0%), nutrition/health benefits (17.2%), and food  habits/economic benefits (11.6%). About half (58.9%) of respondents did not know the nutritional/health benefits of C. forda. Its consumption is not affected by religion (99.8%) and traditional belief/myth (99.0%) but by availability. Conclusion: Major limitations to consumption of C. forda larva are scarcity and inadequate knowledge on its nutritional/health benefits. There is need for public enlightenment on health-promoting benefits of the insect larva to promote its consumption.Keywords: Entomophagy, Cirina forda larva, Consumption pattern, Nutritional benefits

Assessment of compliance level to nutrient requirements of codex alimentarius standard by manufacturers of commercially available infant formula in Nigeria

Background: Composition of infant formula should promote normal growth and development of the infants. Their adequacy should be determined for physiological, biochemical and functional outcomes. Objective: The study investigated the nutrient adequacy of three brands of infant formula available in a Nigerian market with codex alimentarius standards and label claims.Methods: Three brands of infant formula coded Brands 1, 2 and 3 were purchased from Bodija market, Ibadan, Oyo state; Nigeria. The samples were analysed for proximate, some minerals and vitamins composition using standard procedures of AOAC. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS-version 16.0) were used to analyse the data. Data are presented as means and standard deviations. Analysis of variance was used to establish any significant difference between the mean values, with the level of significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The moisture content of the infant formula was high. Brand 1 had the highest moisture content while Brand 2 had the least. Brand 2 contained the highest protein, fat, carbohydrate and ash content while Brand 3 had the least. Brand 2 had the highest mineral composition, while Brand 1 had the least. Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C and D contents of the three infant formula are in the order Brand2 >Brand3 >Brand 1. The gross energy content of the three infant formulas ranged from 504 to 511kcal/100g. Brand 2 provided the highest energy.Conclusion: The analysed energy and nutrient contents of the formula were not in agreement with their claimed nutrient composition and the codex alimentarius standards. Keywords: Infant formula, codex alimentarius standards and nutrient label compliance

Property Tax Dynamics Reengineering in Nigeria: The Alternative Infrastructure Financing Option for National Development

The availability of resources to either provide new infrastructural facilities, services or to maintain the few obsolete ones has recently become an issue of national concern. States across the country have witnessed and are still witnessing a critical infrastructure deficit. Scholars globally have suggested property tax as a formidable alternative infrastructure financing option. The study examines the need for property tax dynamics reengineering in Nigeria to provide valuable information as an infrastructure financing option for national development through a theoretical research approach. The study established the link between real property investment and property tax dynamics, the nexus between property tax and infrastructure development and Nigeria's need for property tax reengineering. The study found the deteriorating state of critical infrastructure due to overuse and lack of adequate maintenance. Hence, it concluded that the reawakening of the property tax system in the country could help facilitate the transformational agenda of the Local Government Administration in the country. It recommended replicating the robust Lagos state property taxation strategy across the other states in Nigeria

Residual effects of animal manures on physical and chemical characteristics of silage produced from Panicum maximum (Ntchisi) in Abeokuta south-west, Nigeria

This experiment was conducted to investigate effects of animal manures on chemical composition of silage produced from Panicum maximum (Ntchisi) two - years post application. The plots were established in June 2010 during this period, animal manures from cattle dung, swine waste, poultry droppings and small ruminant waste had been applied. In late July 2011, (i.e. after 8 weeks of re-growth) the forage materials were harvested at 25 cm above ground level from the plots where Panicum maximum (Ntchisi)[ P. maximum N ]fertilized with different animal manures were grown to produce silage. The silages were opened after 45 and 90 days of ensiling and sub samples were taken for determination of physical and chemical characteristics. The experiment consists of two factors namely; four manure types and control (i.e. without manure) and two lengths of ensiling (45 and 90 days).It was 5 x 2 factorial arrangements with 3 replicates. It was observed that all the parameters of physical characteristics of silage were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced except moisture content. Also, proximate and fibre compositions parameters were significantly (P < 0.05) different. The animal manures applied had positive effect on mouldiness of silage and, this was more pronounced in cattle manure at 90 days of ensiling. The silage produced from poultry–manure fertilized grass had desirable crude protein value, but at 90 days of ensiling, the best performance was observed with a considerable low ADF value. To ensure all yearround production of ruminants through adequate feeding with silage, Panicum maximum (Ntchisi) fertilized with poultry manure ensiled for 90 days is therefore recommended for the farmers.Key words: residual; organic manure; silage; Panicum maximum (Ntchisi