Quality Evaluation of Swallow Meal Produced from Blends of Acha, Fluted Pumpkin Seed and Soybean Flours

The proximate and functional properties of the composite flours of Acha, fluted pumpkin seed and soybean (AFS) were determined in order to evaluate the quality of the swallow meal.  The dried seeds and grains were milled into fine flour particles and blended to produced composite flours in 3 different ratios (AFS); 70:10:20%, 60:20:20% and 40:20:40%. The  proximate  composition result showed protein  enriched flours. The results of the functional properties were as follows: bulk density ranged from 0.40g/ml to 0.599/ml, water absorption capacity 1.04g/g- 1.19g/g, oil absorption capacity 0.53g/g-1.48g/g and swelling index 53.78g/g – 83.45g/g. The mean values for the functional properties further showed that the flours can be used extensively in various dietary preparations. The reconstituted  Swallow  meals were evaluated for their nutrient quality. The results were as follows; moisture content: 20.95-25.59%, protein: 14.69-18.76%,  fibre: 1.85-1.92%,  Ash: 2.15 -2.68%, fat: 2.03 – 2.50% and carbohydrate 49.00-57.03%. Keywords: Acha, Fluted pumpkin seeds, soybean, composite flours (AFS), proximate composition, functional properties. DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/92-08 Publication date: December 31st 201

Antinutrient Profile of Three Mushroom Varieties Consumed in Amaifeke, Orlu, Imo State

Background: The importance of eliminating or minimizing antinutrients from foods human consume cannot be overemphasized. This study evaluated the antinutrient profile of three varieties of mushroom consumed in Amaifeke, Orlu, Imo State were determined. The mushroom species include white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), Crimini mushroom (Agaricus bisporus). Methods: The mushroom varieties were harvested and dried, after which, they were taken to the laboratory for chemical analysis. Standard assay methods were used to analyze for antinutrient composition. Result: Six anti-nutrients: hydrogen cyanide, saponin, phytate, oxalate, trypsin inhibitor and haemogglutinin were analysed and their values ranged from 0.198 – 0.236mg/g, 0.6656 – 1.001mg/g, 0.7794 -1.558mg/100g, 0.236 – 0.510%, 1.857 – 3.476TIµ/mg, 1.350 – 2.899Hµ/mg respectively. Conclusion: Based on the result of the study, it is important that these mushrooms be properly processed so that the nutrients in them will not be rendered inaccessible by the body due to the presence of these antinutrients. Keywords: Antinutrient, Mushroom, Consumed, Amaifek

NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND DIETARY HABITS OF WOMEN UNDER 30-60 YEARS OF AGE IN ARIARIA INTERNATIONAL MARKET ABA, ABIA STATE

The nutritional status of an individual is the outcome of a complex interaction between inherited genetic potential and environmental factor. The nutritional status of a people is also to be a sensitive indicator of their overall level of development as a people. The cross-sectional study was undertaken at Ariaria International market and involved 240 women. By using a questionnaire socio-demographic characteristics and market activities of respondents were recorded. Anthropometric measurement were used to assess the body mass index (BMI). Food frequency questionnaire was used to obtain information on the frequency of consumption of foods. One third of the women had chromic disease which is arthritis (24.6) that come as result of overweight and obesity and too much sitting down. Green leafy vegetables (28.3%) beverages (33.3%), snacks (28.8%), root and tubers (27.1%) and milk and meat product were the main food groups consumed at least daily. BMI classification showed that 22.9% and 33.3% were overweight and obesesed, respectively. Large percentage of the women don’t drink alcohol (79.2%) while other drink alcohol. Prevalence of obesity was hug. Awareness campaigns on need for regular exercise should be emphasized in the market. Keywords: nutritional status, market activities, dietary habits, BMI, women. DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/92-07 Publication date: December 31st 201

Intake of multiple micronutrients supplementation during pregnancy and effects on birth weightof infants in Umuna, Orlu Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria

Background: Deficiencies in micronutrients are prevalent and may occur among women of child bearing age. This may be as a result of inadequate dietary intake and nutritional status before and during pregnancy. Objective: This study assessed the impact of micronutrients supplementation during pregnancy on birth weight of infants in Umuna, Orlu Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria. Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional study design was adopted. Mothers and infants from 0-6 months old constituted the study population. Two hundred and twenty-two mother-child pairs were recruited from two health centers in Umuna. A structured and validated questionnaire was used to collect information on micronutrient supplementation, dietary pattern using food consumption frequency and birth weight. The data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Results: The result showed that 59.5% of the mothers were between 26-35 years. Married women were 98.2%, 54.1% were traders, 66.7% had secondary education, 76.1% had less than 3 children and 85.1% earned between ₦5,000-₦20,000 monthly. About 89% attended antenatal visit, 61.7% commenced micronutrient supplementation in second trimester while none had prenatal supplementation. Folic acid (98.2%), Vitamin C (94.6%) and vitamin B complex (83.8%) were the supplements taken once daily by the mothers while ferrous sulphate (83.8%) and multivitamin (82%) were taken 3 times daily. Less than half (23.9%) of the mothers gave birth to macrosomic (>4.0kg) babies while 9.0% gave birth to low weight (<2.5kg) babies. The result also showed that the mothers were not taking Omega 3, Zinc, Vitamin A and Calcium supplements. There was a significant (P<0.05) difference between supplement intake and birth weight. Conclusion: Multiple micronutrient supplementations in pregnant women may help in improving the birth weight of infants. Therefore, nutrition education on the importance of micronutrients supplementation before and during pregnancy should be taught to women of child bearing age

EVALUATION AND PATHOBIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ZINC, SELENIUM, AND PLATELET LEVELS IN SICKLE CELL ANEMIA

Objectives: The serum zinc and platelet statuses of sickle cell patients attending General Hospital, Owerri, Nigeria, were investigated. Methods: Fifty confirmed sickle cell patients (hemoglobin [Hb]SS) age 10–30 years were selected. Fifty normal subjects (HbAA) age 10–30 years were used as control. The zinc and platelets were determined using standard methods. Results: The levels of serum zinc, selenium, and platelet were significantly decreased in sickle cell anemia (p<0.05) when compared with the control. Conclusion: The result suggests that supplementation of sickle cell patients with food and drug-containing zinc might be helpful, particularly in wound healing, as zinc positively correlates with platelet counts. These low zinc, selenium, and platelets could represent a risk for sickle cell anemia

Multifaceted Health Benefit of Ficus capensis Fruits and Vegetables

This study was carried out to evaluate the chemical properties of Ficus capensis fruits and vegetables. Ficus capensis vegetables and fruits were separately plucked, sorted, cleaned and milled using electric blender until the desired particle size was obtained (150 - 850 microns). Analyses of the proximate, mineral, vitamins, phytochemicals and anti-nutrient contents of the vegetables and fruits were carried out using standard methods. Proximate analysis showed that Ficus capensis had a protein mean value of 6.11and 8.02 g/100 g, ash 7.63 and 2.92 g/100 g, fibre 9.82 and 6.33 g/100 g, moisture 43.28 and 45.20 g/100 g, carbohydrate 31.48 and 35.61 g/100 g and fat content of 1.68 and 1.92 g/100 g for the vegetables and fruits respectively. Mineral constituents were iron 14.24 and 11.68 mg/100 g, calcium 25.46 and 24.20 mg/100 g, magnesium 21.48 and 28.10 mg/100 g, zinc 2.42 and 5.22 mg/100 g, sodium 0.51 and 1.25 mg/100 g, potassium 126.80 and 5.01 mg/100 g and phosphorus 0.62 and 1.24 mg/100 g for the vegetables and fruits respectively. However, Ficus capensis had some anti-nutrients such as tannin 4.28 and 1.67 mg/100 g, cyanide 1.97 and 0.09 mg/100 g, oxalate 5.10 and 2.64 mg/100 g, phytate 9.26 and 7.01 mg/100g and saponin 2.97 and 1.20 mg/100 g for the vegetables and fruits respectively. The results showed that the fruits and vegetables of Ficus capensis is an underutilized fruits and vegetable with high nutrient profile especially iron which when incorporated to the diet could help to fight iron in a community with high prevalence of anemia

Physicochemical, sensory evaluation and glycemic effect of biscuit produced from Acha (Digitaria exilis)/red kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)/unripe plantain (Musa paradisiacal) blends on normoglycemic adults

Background: The use of indigenous crops in formulation of products for the management of diabetes is imperative.Objective: The study evaluated the chemical composition, functional and sensory evaluation of acha (Digitaria exilis) based biscuit enriched with red kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and unripe plantain (Musa paradisiaca) flours and its glycemic effect on normoglycemic adults. Methods: Acha, unripe plantain and red kidney bean flours were produced and blended in the ratios of 70:10:20 (AB2) and 70:15:15 (AB3) to obtain composite flour, 100%acha (AB1) and 100% wheat (WB) were also produced. Available carbohydrate of the composite flours was analyzed of the using the enzymatic method. Chemical and functional properties of the biscuits were analyzed using standard methods. The formulated biscuits were fed to normoglycemic adults to determine their effect on postprandial blood glucose. Glycemic control was carried using ACCU –CHEK, glucometer. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21 for means and standard deviation. ANOVA and Duncan New Multiple Range Test were used to compare and separate the means, respectively. p < 0.05 was set to be significant. Results: Proximate composition of the biscuits ranged from 10.60 to 15.13% for protein, 4.19-6.55 for crude fibre, and 54.88% to 59.10% for Carbohydrate. Biscuits produced from 100% wheat (WB) and AB2 had the best sensory evaluation scores. The glycemic indices were found to be 55.11%, 41.60% and 49.31% for AB1, AB2 and AB3, respectively. Conclusion: The values of the formulated biscuits recorded scored well for low glycemic index which invariably posits that the biscuit would be a good diabetic snack.Keywords: Acha-based biscuits; physicochemical, sensory, evaluation; glycemic effec

Effect of “Uchakiri”(Vitex doniana),“Uturukpa” (Pterocarpus santalinoides) and “Ewa” (Solanum americanum) Methanoic Extract on Iron Status of Rats

Background: Iron deficiency anaemia is a hidden hunger which can affect at every stage of human development especially pregnant women and children. Aim: The study was carried out to ascertain the effect of “ewa”, “uturukpa” and “uchakiri” on iron status of rat. Methods: The vegetables were purchased from Oriemba market Akpugo in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State. The vegetables were trimmed, washed with deionized water and drained. The vegetables were ground using electric blender. Methanolic extraction was done using a modified method. All the analysis were carried out using a standard method. Results: The results obtained were 2.67-3.52 mg iron, 0.52-0.89 mg copper, 1.56-7.43 mg zinc, 2.42-120.70 mg calcium 10.16-39.10 mg magnesium, and 68.80-90.40 mg potassium. The mean serum ferritin, haemoglobin, packed cell volume and RBC all increased gradually after consumption of leaves extract. Conclusion: The result showed that ethanol leaf extract of Vitex doniana, “ewa” and “uturukpa” posseses anti-anemic potentials that are capable of reducing the risk of iron deficiency anemia in the society