Breakfast consumption pattern of some Ahamdu Bello University students and nutrient composition of commonly consumed breakfast foods

This study was carried out to evaluate breakfast consumption pattern of university students and determine nutrient composition of some commonly consumed breakfast foods. Seventy five (75) students took part in the study, using semi-structured questionnaires to obtain information on breakfast consumption pattern and 24-hour dietary recall to document dietary intake. Standard methods were used to determine weight and height from which their body mass index was calculated. Proximate and mineral compositions of some breakfast foods were determined using standard methods. Results obtained showed 85.3% of respondents eat breakfast while 14.7% skipped breakfast. Breakfast contribution to total calorific consumption of breakfast eaters was 2651.86 kcal compared to 1981.00 kcal for breakfast skippers. Both groups showed lower intake of some vitamins and micronutrients when compared to RDA. Nutrient content of commonly consumed breakfast foods revealed moimoi and bean cake had 16.44±0.70g/100g and 22.19±0.08g/100g crude protein respectively, while fried yam had high amount of carbohydrate 41.12±2.12g/100g. Millet pap recorded higher content of magnesium (18.55+0.03mg/100g), calcium (28.73+0.52mg/100g), copper (26.33+0.08mg/100g) and Chromium (1.09+0.05mg/100g). A healthful breakfast food choices by students may be an important strategy for improving the nutritional quality of their dietary intake.Keywords: Students, Breakfast, Food, Nutrient compositio

Chemical Composition of Kapok (Ceibapentandra) Seed and Physicochemical Properties of its Oil

Determination of the chemical composition of Kapok (Ceibapentandra) seeds and physicochemical properties of its oil were carried out using standard methods. Mature dried fruits of Kapok from which seeds wereobtained were collected from in and around Basawa village, Sabon Gari Local Government Area, Kaduna State. Results of proximate analysis show crude fat (23.10%) and crude protein, (36.70%) while calcium (1212mg/kg) was most abundant among minerals analysed. Kapok seed oil had clear bright yellowish colour with offensive odour with iodine value, (76.80g I/100 g oil) and saponification value, (179.77mg KOH/g oil). Lignin content of the kapok fiber was 5.54%. We concluded that the kapok seeds, which are under-utilized and often discarded as an agrowaste in our environment, is rich in oil and protein therefore, has a reasonable economic potential which can be harnessed.Keywords: Kapok, Ceibapentandra, physicochemical properties, oil, iodine value, saponification valu

Knowledge and Consumption pattern of Vitamin A rich-foods available to Rural Communities in North Western Nigeria

Objective: To determine knowledge and consumption pattern of vitamin A foods rich foods available to rural communities in Northwestern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in North West zone of Nigeria reported to have the highest level of Vitamin A Deficiency in the country. Three states namely Kaduna, Kebbi and Kwara were purposively selected to cover the geographical spread of the zone and 300 households were randomly selected from 12 communities spread over 6 Local Government Areas. The households were interviewed using a semi structured interview schedule and Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) methodologies to collect data on consumption and utilization of vitamin A rich foods. Result: The survey revealed that most food sources rich in vitamin A were available to the rural communities on seasonal basis but the technologies aimed at storing and preserving them were not readily available. Due to lack of knowledge, some of the household subject some foods rich in vitamin A to traditional medicine use rather than using them to enrich their meals. Conclusion: Knowledge of the technologies for storage and preservation of vitamin A rich foods is very important in stabilizing price and making the foods available all year round, as most of the fruits and vegetables are unaffordable at off-seasons. There is need for strategic policy that has direct effects of creating awareness on the importance of vitamin A in the rural communities in North western Nigeria. Keywords: Knowledge, consumption pattern, vitamin A rich foods, rural Nigeri

Nutrient and Anti-nutrient Composition of Cereal Products Commonly Consumed in Samaru-Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Objective: This study examined the nutrient composition of cereal products commonly consumed in Samaru-Zaria, Kaduna State. Materials and Methods: Recipes were obtained by the use of semi-structured questionnaires from which cereal products (Fura, popcorn, roasted corn, semovita and “tuwon shikafa”) were prepared with their nutrient composition determined using standard methods. Results: Crude protein content obtained in the cereal products was 8.15% (Fura), 3.14% (popcorn), 3.88% (roasted corn), 5.02% (Semovita) and 4.69% (“tuwon shinkafa”) while crude fat content for “fura”, Semovita and “tuwon shinkafa” was 5.17%, 1.87% and 2.12% respectively. Crude fiber content was for Fura (2.61%), Semovita (19.40%) and Tuwon shinkafa (0.48%). Content of iron was higher in all the cereal products and levels of antinutrient analyzed were within safe levels. Conclusion: Nutrient density of commonly consumed cereal products in Samaru – Zaria is low but the levels of antinutrient in the cereal product were within the safe levels.Key words: Cereal products, Nutrient Compositio

Antidiarrhoeal activity of aqueous extract of Combretum sericeum roots in rats

The antidiarrhoeal activity of aqueous extract of Combretum sericeum roots was evaluated in rats. Studies were carried out on castor oil induced diarrhea, gastrointestinal motility and castor oil induced fluid accumulation. The extract (25 and 50 mg/kg) causes a dose dependent protection against castor oil induced diarrhea and castor oil induced fluid accumulation and decreased markedly gastrointestinal transit. The intraperitoneal LD50 of the extract was found to be 177.48 mg/kg in mice. A preliminary phytochemical screening of the aqueous extract of C. sericeum roots revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, anthraquinones and alkaloids. The results obtained showed that the waterextract of C. sericeum roots may be active against diarrhea and this may be the basis for its use traditionally for gastrointestinal disorders