Retention of Pro-vitamin A Carotenoids in Ogi Powder as Affected by Packaging Materials and Storage Conditions

The effect of different packages and storage conditions on the retention of pro-vitamin A carotenoids (pVAC) in ogi powder produced from yellow-seeded maize was investigated to study its storage stability on micronutrient retention. The ogi powder produced was packaged in a high-density polyethylene bag (HDPE), a polypropylene woven sack (PP), and a polyvinyl chloride container (PVC), and stored in different conditions for 12 weeks with sampling done at three-week intervals for pVACanalysis. At the end of the storage period, ogi powder packaged in HDPE stored outside the storage box had the highest percentage retention (31.32%) of trans-β-carotene and that packaged in PVC container stored in the lighted compartment had the least (21.57%). Therefore, HDPE could be a good package for the retention of trans-β-carotene (which is the most bioactive) in ogi powder when stored at a temperature of 27°C and relative humidity of 73%

Upscaling cassava processing machines and products in Liberia

Open Access JournalCassava is produced by more than 80% of farming households and is an important contributor to gross domestic product (GDP) in Liberia. It is therefore important to assess the status of cassava processing into food and other products. A total of one hundred and sixty (160) well-structured questionnaires were used for the collection of information from eight counties, with twenty respondents from each county. It was found out that all the counties lack adequate modern cassava processing machines, with almost all cassava processing operations being done with rudimentary equipment. Gari and wet fufu are common products in Liberian markets, with no high-quality cassava flour (HQCF) or derivatives. Consequently, user and gender friendly processing machines were installed in six established modern cassava processing centres, and new cassava products, such as fufu powder, tapioca, and HQCF with its value-added products (10% bread and pastries), were introduced. This upscaling will enhance the cassava value chain in Liberia with improvement in livelihoods, especially for vulnerable women and unemployed youth

Occurrence of regulated mycotoxins and other microbial metabolites in dried cassava products from Nigeria

Open Access JournalDried cassava products are perceived as one of the potential sources of mycotoxin ingestion in human foods. Processing either contributes to the reduction of toxins or further exposes products to contamination by microorganisms that release metabolic toxins into the products. Thus, the prevalence of microbial metabolites in 373 processed cassava products was investigated in Nigeria. With the use of liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the constituent analysis, a few major mycotoxins (aflatoxin B1 and G1, fumonisin B1 and B2, and zearalenone) regulated in food crops by the Commission of the European Union were found at concentrations which are toxicologically acceptable in many other crops. Some bioactive compounds were detected at low concentrations in the cassava products. Therefore, the exposure of cassava consumers in Nigeria to regulated mycotoxins was estimated to be minimal. The results provide useful information regarding the probable safety of cassava products in Nigeri

Physical, chemical and sensory properties of cassava (Manihot esculenta) – sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) gari

Open Access JournalIntroduction. Food safety is one of the problems facing sub-Sahara African countries like Nigeria. The use of wholesome indigenous crops and improved methods of production of major foods is a way forward. Materials and methods. A factorial research design was used to obtain eight samples of cassava and sweet potato gari from three modifications of the traditional production method for gari. Effects of these methods on the physical, chemical and sensory properties of the gari were evaluated using standard methods. Results and discussion. The results revealed that the inclusion of sweet potato significantly (p<0.05) influenced the proximate composition of the cassava-sweet potato gari and the values are also within the recommended levels for quality gari. Moisture content ranged from 10.10 to 12.30%, crude fibre 1.93 to 1.98%, ash content 1.13 to 1.31%, protein content 1.43 to 4.29%, and carbohydrate content 78.11 – 83.59%. The cyanide contents ranged from 0.58 to 2.16 mg/100 g, with 100% cassava gari having the highest while 100% sweet potato gari recorded the lowest. A decrease in porosity from 40 ± 2 % for the 100% cassava gari to 27.33 ± 2 % for sweet-potato gari was observed. The particle size of the sweet potato gari had the highest angle of repose of 38° while 100% cassava gari recorded the lowest angle of repose (29°). The swelling index of the samples ranged from 330 to 450% and100% sweet potato gari had the highest loose and packed densities. The sensory evaluation results showed that the cassava sweet potato (10%) gari was rated the best for colour (8.07), texture (7.67), and aroma (6.87), while 100% cassava gari had highest value for taste (7.47), and both shared the highest value (7.60) in overall acceptability. Conclusions. The study showed that 10% sweet potato can traditionally be added to cassava for quality gari production

Effect of packaging materials and storage conditions on the degradation of xanthophylls in yellow-maize ogi powder

Open Access JournalThe need to evaluate the effects of packaging materials and storage conditions on the degradation of xanthophylls in yellow maize ogi powder is important due to its health implication. Ogi powder was packaged in high-density polyethylene bag (HDPE), polypropylene woven sack (PP), and polyvinyl chloride container (PVC). The samples were stored under different conditions for 12 weeks and sampled at three-week intervals for analysis using High Performance Liquid Chromatography. The result showed that the total xanthophyll content of the ogi powder was 10.39 µg/g before storage with of zeaxanthin having the highest value (6.73 µg/g) and lutein (3.66 µg/g) the least. The reduction in lutein and zeaxanthin contents was significant in the ogi powder packaged in HDPE stored at 35°C and 50% relative humidity (RH). Therefore, PVC is recommended at 34°C and RH of 54% for up to 6 weeks while HDPE may be used at 28°C and 68% RH for 9 weeks, and that of PP might be 35°C and 50% RH if the storage period is extended to 12 weeks

Assessment of the suitability of different cassava varieties for gari and fufu flour production in Liberia

Open Access Article; Published online: 15 Feb 2020Different cassava varieties are available in Liberia, but there is little knowledge of their product suitability. Hence, the need to assess the potentials of these varieties to produce gari and fufu flour. The two products from ten improved and two local cassava varieties were characterized based on their yield and chemical, pasting and functional properties using standard methods. The results showed that TMS 96/0097 (gari 27.54%) and Butter cassava (fufu flour 27.35%) have the highest percentage yields. The starch content was higher in gari produced from TMS98/0505 (92.00%) and lower from TMS95/0289 (82.62%); the fufu flour starch content was higher in TMS98/0505 (90.59%) and lower in Bassa girl (84.75%). Gari and fufu flour produced from TMS96/0097 (507.38 RUV) and TMS00/0357 (506.04 RVU) had the highest final viscosity, and the products from TMS95/0289 (338.46 RVU and 336.80 RVU) had the least. The highest swelling power was found in gari (12.74%) and fufu flour (13.55%) produced from TMS92/0057 and the lowest in TMS91/0416 gari (8.23%) and TMS01/1235 fufu flour (8.31%). All the samples may form a paste below the boiling point of water (100°C) at < 7 min. However, cassava varieties and the interactions between varieties and locations had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on the properties of the products: Chemical (except ash content), pasting (except pasting temperature) and functional. Therefore, all the varieties may be suitable for gari and fufu flour production based on the quality preferred by the consumers

Retention of pro-vitamin A carotenoid in composite bread baked with high quality cassava flour from yellow-fleshed cassava root

Open Access Journal; Published online: 30 Sep 2018Background: As one of the most widely consumed foods, bread is one of the most important agricultural products. Bread made from high-quality cassava flour is consumed in some parts of Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). The bread has no pro-vitamin S carotenoids (pVAC) due to the use of artificial colorants. Consequently, there is a need for the use of pVAC rich foods for bread production. Foods that are rich with pro-vitamin A carotenoids can be converted into retinol in the human body and whose bioconversion contributes to the reduction of vitamin A deficiency diseases (VAD). VAD has caused annual loss of life in SSA, especially in Nigeria. The yellow-fleshed cassava root might contribute to the reduction of this disease. The high quality yellow cassava flour (YHQCF) produced from yellow-fleshed cassava root may contribute to the pVAC composition of bread. As a result, there is a need for the evaluation of the retention of pVAC in composite bread baked with high quality cassava flour from yellow-fleshed cassava roots. Methods: The YHQCF was produced from TMS01/1368 cassava variety. The bread loaves consisted of 20% and 100% YHQCF and were produced by mixing the sugar, margarine, yeast, improver, and salt with the composite flour and YHQCF respectively, after which water was added and mixed to get the homogenous dough. The dough was proofed for 2.5 hours, kneaded, cut into shape, placed in a lubricated baking pan, and baked at 200oC for 30 min. Analyses of the pro-vitamin A (cis and trans-β carotene) and dry matter content were carried out on all the samples, including samples from the YHQCF production steps using standard methods. The samples from the YHQCF production steps were chosen and analyzed for pVAC in order to check the levels of degradation of the pVAC from the raw cassava root to using the root for flour production and the quantity of pVAC retained when 100% of the YHQCF is used for bread production compared to 20% composite. The β-carotene nutrient retention of the bread was also calculated. Results: The results demonstrated how the total pVAC content of the raw yellow-fleshed cassava root was 16.83 µg/g dry basis with 29% dry matter (DM) content. Subsequent processing by peeling, washing, grating, and dewatering into granules (56% DM) caused 48% reduction in the pVAC content which was reduced to 40% after drying and milling the dried grits into YHQCF (97% DM). Preparation of recipe for bread demonstrated how the 20% composite flour dough (61% DM) contained 0.29 µg/g db pVAC representing 1.72% retention, which was later reduced to 0.25 µg/g db pVAC or 1.49% retention after baking (62%DM). On the other hand, bread loaves baked from 100% YHQCF (67% DM) retained 0.74 µg/g db pVAC representing 4.40% of the 16.83 µg/g db pVAC in the starting raw material. Conclusions: The bread produced from 100% YHQCF may contribute to the pro-vitamin A status of bread consumers in SSA more than the 20% YHQCF composite. However, both bread samples are low in pVAC. In order to attain the required retinol equivalent level after bioconversion in the human body, consumption of other foods rich in vitamin A would be required to attain the required retinol equivalent level after bioconversion in the human body but can be enhanced if consumed with other foods rich in vitamin A

The functional and pasting properties of unripe plantain flour, and the sensory attributes of the cooked paste (amala) as affected by packaging materials and storage periods

Open Access Journal; Published online: 07 Oct 2020Unripe plantain flour (UPF) is hygroscopic and gets spoilt if not correctly processed, packaged and stored. Thus, the need to study the functional and pasting properties of the UPF, and the sensory attributes of the cooked paste (amala) as affected by packaging materials and storage periods. The UPF was produced using the standard method, packaged in a polypropylene woven sack (PPS) and polyvinyl chloride container (PVC), stored for 20-weeks at room temperature and analyzed at 4-weeks intervals. Results showed that the solubility index of UPF packaged in PPS had a significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation with the breakdown viscosity (r = 0.90), and a negative correlation with moldability (r = −0.89), mouthfeel (r = −0.92) and the overall acceptability (r = —0.83) of the amala. The peak viscosity of the UPF packaged in PPS had a significant (p < 0.05) negative correlation with the stretchability (r = —0.93), mouldability (r = −0.88), mouthfeel (r = —0.83) and overall acceptability (r = −0.01) of the amala. The packaging materials and storage periods had significant effect (p < 0.05) on the mouldability of the amala. The overall acceptability was higher in the amala prepared from PPS packaged UPF compared to that of the PVC. Therefore, UPF should be stored in PPS to retain its sensory attributes

Assessment of the chemical and trace metal composition of dried cassava products from Nigeria

Open Access JournalThe chemical and trace metal composition of six groups of commercial dried cassava products in Nigeria (gari, starch, tapioca, fufu, lafun and high-quality cassava flour) were evaluated to ascertain quality standard compliance and safety for human consumption. In total, 340 samples of the dried products collected based on their popularity in the Humid forest (92), Derived savannah (234) and Southern Guinea savannah (14) agroecologies were analysed using standard analytical methods. The moisture, cyanogenic potential (CNP), ash and crude fibre content of the samples were significantly different (P<0.05). Product type or agroecology of the products did not have a significant influence on the acidity, pH or trace metal (copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn)) content. Samples from the Humid forest exhibited the highest average moisture (12.80%), pH (6.62), Zn (5.01 mg/kg) and Cu (3.16 mg/kg) content; Southern Guinea savannah samples had the highest CNP (9.06 mg/kg), ash (2.03%) and Fe (35.38 mg/kg) content, while the samples from Derived savannah had the highest starch (61.11%) and crude fibre (2.87%) content. All the parameters analysed were within the FAO/WHO standards for cassava products except for the Fe content which exceeded the threshold limit of 22 mg/kg, suggesting that iron-based processing machines release Fe that contaminate cassava during processing. Therefore, these machines should be made of stainless steel, and processors should adhere to the standard operating procedures that were established by the food regulatory agencies to reduce iron contamination of cassava products