Proximate, mineral and fatty acid composition of fast foods consumed in Bahrain

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the commonly consumed fast foods in Bahrain with respect to proximate, mineral, sterol composition and their fatty acid profile.

Design/methodology/approach

Foods were purchased from the most frequented fast food outlets in Manama city, the capital of Bahrain. Similar types of foods were pooled into one sample. Proximate composition was determined in duplicate by the standard procedure of the AOAC. Mineral concentrations were determined by using either electro thermal or flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer and fatty acids were analyzed by gas liquid chromatography (GLC) as per standard procedure.

Findings

Proximate analysis showed a wide variation in the composition and nutritive value. Moisture, fat, protein, carbohydrate and fiber contents ranged from 30.35‐54.02, 8.74‐17.33, 4.41‐18.23 (n×6.25), 12.14‐43.81 and 0.56‐3.43 %w/w respectively. The range in the energy value was between 215.0‐349.0 Kcal/100 g. Most of the foods were rich in sodium, calcium, iron, and zinc being in the range of 4315.0‐7890.9, 337.1‐1893.1, 3.25‐82.26, and 4.88‐22.62 ppm respectively while potassium, magnesium, copper and manganese were present to a lesser extent. Cholesterol levels were negligible in the vegetable dishes but high in dishes with meat and dairy products (<1.00‐35.47 mg/100 g). Considerable levels of β‐sitosterol (4.96‐20.20 mg/100 g) were present. The most prominent fatty acids were oleic (32.9‐50.4 mg/100 g), linoleic (5.0‐33.6 mg/100 g) and palmitic acid (16.8‐24.9 mg/100 g).

Originality/value

It is essential that calorie‐dense foods with minimal nutritional content must return to their role as occasional discretionary items in an otherwise balanced diet.

Citation

Musaiger, A.O., Al‐Jedah, J.H. and D'souza, R. (2008), "Proximate, mineral and fatty acid composition of fast foods consumed in Bahrain", British Food Journal, Vol. 110 No. 10, pp. 1006-1018. https://doi.org/10.1108/00070700810906624