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Calyx of okra pods is usually cut off and discarded as a waste during processing, whereas the pulp and seeds are being used. This study aims to investigate the nutrient composition and anti-nutritional properties of okra calyx flour.

Calyces from four varieties (Ex-kwadon, Solar, Chalawa and Syria) of okra pods were processed into flour. The proximate composition, mineral content, vitamin content and anti-nutritional composition of the flour samples were analysed by using standard methods.

There were significant differences in moisture content (p = 0.012), crude fat (p = 0.001), crude fibre (p = 0.002), carbohydrate (p = 0.002), sodium (p < 0.001), magnesium (p < 0.001), iron (p < 0.001), zinc (p = 0.006), vitamin A (p < 0.001) and vitamin C (p = 0.001) contents of okra calyx flour. The values of proximate composition ranged 8.1-8.9%, 8.4-9.0%, 14.3-15.3%, 1.4-2.1%, 16.9-18.2% and 47.1-49.4% for moisture content, ash, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre and carbohydrate, respectively, whereas the values of mineral contents ranged 7.6-8.7 mg/100g, 35.7-41.2 mg/100g, 26.5-28.1 mg/100g, 93.2-95.8 mg/100g, 1.6-1.8 mg/100g and 5.2-5.7 mg/100g for sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron and zinc, respectively. The values of vitamin contents of okra calyx flour ranged 0.2-0.3 µg/100g, 7.1-8.9 mg/100g and 0.1-0.2 mg/100g for vitamin A, vitamin C and thiamine contents respectively. Also, there were significant differences in the values of phytate (p = 0.023), oxalate (p = 0.011) and saponin (p < 0.001) contents with the values of anti-nutritional properties ranging 1.3-1.5 mg/100g, 2.5-3.3 mg/100g, 7.4-9.7 mg/100g and 2.3-3.6 mg/100g for tannin, phytate, oxalate and saponin contents, respectively.

There are scanty published works/information on proximate composition, mineral content, vitamin content and anti-nutritional composition of okra calyx flour.

The study showed that okra calyx flour could be useful in fortification/supplement of carbohydrate-based foods in food system.

Okra calyx flour comprises high crude fibre, crude protein, ash and vitamin C contents. Also, calcium is the major mineral content of okra calyx flour followed by magnesium and potassium. However, the tannin content reported higher in okra leaf flour, and okra flour is low in okra calyx flour.

This study aims to investigate the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of fried peanut cracker snacks coated with wheat (80%) and cassava (20%) composite flours.

The peanuts were sorted, boiled, drained, roasted, coated and fried at temperature of 150–180°C for 154.6–240 s. The fried peanut cracker-coated (FPCC) snacks produced were analyzed for proximate composition (moisture, crude fat, crude protein, crude fibre, total ash and carbohydrate contents), rancidity indices (peroxide value, free fatty acid and iodine value), physical properties, colour (lightness, redness and yellowness), texture (hardness, fracturability, adhesiveness and cohesiveness) and sensory qualities (taste, crispiness, colour, odour and overall acceptability).

There were significant differences in moisture (p = 0.000), crude fat (p = 0.001), crude protein (p = 0.000), crude fibre (p = 0.001), total ash (p = 0.00) and carbohydrate (p = 0.001). The range of values for moisture content, crude fat, crude protein, crude fibre, total ash and carbohydrate contents were 2.6%–4.9%, 27.1%–34.7%, 21.0%–26.3%, 3.1%–4.1%, 2.1%–2.5% and 33.9%–36.4%, respectively, while peroxide, free fatty acid and iodine values ranged from 1.2 to 2.0 mEq/kg, 32.8–47.0 mg KOH/g and 1.2–2.0 gI₂/100 g, respectively. The physical properties of the FPCCs showed decrease as the frying temperature and time increased. The values for lightness (L*), redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) ranged from 26.5 to 52.2, 11.4 to 22.0 and 37.0 to 42.5, while the texture attributes such as hardness (p = 0.001), fracturability (p = 0.023), adhesiveness (p = 0.001) and cohesiveness (p = 0.011) were significantly different and it ranged from 28.7 to 53.4 N, 28.6 to 48.3 N, 1.0 to 2.4 N/s and 0.0–0.1, respectively. The sensory score for wheat–cassava composite flours used for coating the snacks decreased as the frying temperature and time increased. The study shows that 20% of cassava flour incorporated into the formulation of coated snacks does not affect its overall acceptability.

There are scanty information/published works on physicochemical and sensory characteristics of fried peanut cracker coated with wheat–cassava composite flour.

This research work helps in producing fried peanut cracker coated with composite wheat–cassava flours.

The study shows that 20% of cassava flour incorporated into the formulation of coated snacks does not affect its overall acceptability.

This paper aims to optimize feed moisture contents, barrel temperatures, blending ratios of maize and lupine for processing of protein-rich best quality extruded product using a twin-screw extruder.

A three-factor three-level response surface methodology by Box-Behnken Design was applied to evaluate the effect of selected processing conditions of blending ratios of lupine (10-20 per cent), barrel temperatures (120°C-150°C) and feed moisture content (14-18 per cent) on functional, nutritional and sensory characteristics of produced snack food.

The results of functional properties such as radial expansion ratio, bulk density, water absorption index, water solubility index observed as 0.71-1.2, 0.33-0.92 g/cc, 4.4-6.4 per cent and 10.2-15.1 per cent, respectively. The snack food showed the moisture 5.6-7.2 per cent, protein 8.1-18.1 per cent, fiber 1.6-2.7 per cent, ash 1.6-2.2 per cent and carbohydrate 64.8-81.4 per cent. The independent variables (lupine blending ratio, barrel temperature and feed moisture content) posed significant effects on expansion ration (p = 0.0030), bulk density (p = 0.0026), water absorption index (p = 0.0075) and water-solubility index (p = 0.0116). Higher blending ratio of lupine was increase in the bulk density and water solubility index, but decrease in expansion ratio and water absorption index of snack food. Higher feed moisture content was led to a reduction in expansion ratio and water-soluble index of snack food. Whereas, higher feed moisture contents was lead to rise in bulk density and water absorption index. Fiber (p = 0.0145), ash (p = 0.0343) and carbohydrate (p = 0.0001) contents were significantly depended on blending ratio. Blending of lupine 15.06 per cent, barrel temperature of 150 °C and feed moisture content of 14.0 per cent produced the snack food with desirability value of 72.8 per cent.

Protein malnutrition is one of the major problems in child development in under developed countries including Ethiopia. Maize is a top producer in the country but least appreciated for cost. Lupine is one of the undervalued produce consumed in Ethiopia after boiling. Still data on the utilization of maize and lupine in the extruded snack preparation was very limited. Optimization of moisture and barrel temperatures for this snack was not reported clearly yet.

Baby corn (Zea mays) is young, finger‐like, unfertilized cobs of maize with one to three centimeters of emerged silk, preferably harvested within 24 hours of silk emergence depending upon the growing season. It is a very perishable vegetable and hence the purpose of this present study is to standardize the freezing method for extending the shelf life of baby corn and to study the effect of frozen storage of 90 days on its nutritional composition.

Frozen baby corn was analysed for various nutritional parameters, namely proximate composition, minerals, in vitro starch and protein digestibility and vitamin, at regular intervals of 30 days for nine months.

Moisture, crude protein, crude fat and crude fibre content of baby corn showed no significant change during 90 days of frozen storage. A significant reduction was observed in calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron content of frozen baby corn. In vitro starch and protein digestibility showed a non‐significant change during frozen storage. Ascorbic acid and beta‐carotene content of frozen baby corn decreased significantly by 11.60 and 10.75 percent, respectively, by the end of 90 days of storage.

The present study indicates that freezing is an effective processing technology to enhance the storage life of baby corn.

This paper aims to focus on the effect of Sorghum bicolour on the quality characteristics of chevon cutlets and to evaluate the effect of clove oil on the storage quality of aerobically packaged chevon cutlets.

Three levels of sorghum flour, namely, 2, 4 and 6 per cent, were incorporated in the formulation, and the products developed were assessed for various physicochemical, sensory, texture and colour parameters. Chevon cutlets containing optimum level of sorghum flour were treated with clove oil (100 ppm) and evaluated for storage quality for 15 days under refrigerated conditions (4 ± 1°C). The products were analysed for various physicochemical, microbiological and sensory parameters.

Crude fibre, texture parameters, i.e. hardness, adhesiveness, springiness, cohesiveness, chewiness, gumminess and product redness value, showed significant (p < 0.05) increasing trend, whereas moisture per cent, fat content and overall acceptability decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing levels of incorporation. Chevon cutlets containing 6 per cent sorghum flour were optimized as best. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance value (mg malonaldehyde/kg), total plate count (cfu/g) and psychrophillic count (cfu/g) showed a significant increasing trend (p < 0.05), whereas all the sensory parameters decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing days of storage. The products were successfully stored for 10 days under refrigerated conditions (4 ± 1°C) without marked loss in quality.

The paper has demonstrated the potential of sorghum as a fibre source in the development of designer chevon cutlets and effect of clove oil on the storage quality of aerobically packaged chevon cutlets.

Pumpkins are a rich source of essential nutrients, namely, β-carotene, minerals and vitamins, and they are therefore suitable for making functional juice. This study aims to develop pumpkin-based functional juice and assess the acceptability of the product by various consumers. In total, 55 per cent of the panelists disliked the pumpkin juice because of its strong off-flavor. Consequently, different blends of pumpkin juice with mango, orange, strawberry and green apple juices were prepared and evaluated for global appreciation and descriptive sensory analysis.

Pumpkins, green apples, mangos, oranges and strawberries were obtained from the local market. Four mixtures of juices were prepared by mixing pumpkin and mango juice (750/250, v/v), pumpkin and green apple juice (750/250, v/v), pumpkin and orange juice (750/250, v/v) and pumpkin with strawberry and orange juice (750/125/125, v/v/v). The contents of moisture ash, fiber, carbohydrate, crude protein and lipids were estimated according to AOAC methods. β-Carotene, vitamin C and minerals were determined. A semi-trained panel consisting of 100 members assessed sensory characteristics of pumpkin juice and mixtures using a quantitative descriptive analysis method (QDA) for different attributes.

The findings show that the moisture, crude protein, fiber, ash and carbohydrate contents indicate that the developed pumpkin juice was rich in these essential nutrients. The fiber value in our study was lower than the value previously reported for pumpkin. The content of β-carotene and vitamin C in the developed pumpkin juice was considerably higher than that reported previously for fruits. The values of calcium and iron of the current study were much higher than those previously reported in vegetable juices and mixtures. The sensory results revealed that the developed pumpkin-based juice blends are acceptable by the consumers.

This study was carried out to develop a suitable formula for preparing functional juices from pumpkin, which is not consumed willingly by children and the elderly; the authors aimed to improve its taste and flavor by mixing it with different fruit juices. The results demonstrated that pumpkin juice is rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, suggesting its health-promoting potential. Mixing pumpkin juice with mango juice or orange and strawberry juices significantly improved the sensory quality of the products. Strikingly, the formulated pumpkin juice mixtures received good acceptance and appreciation by children and the elderly, which could promote its use as a functional juice. Generally, pumpkin-based juice blends are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and can therefore be consumed as a functional beverage with potentially increased health-promoting characteristics. Using pumpkin for developing functional juices could add commercial value to pumpkins. Future studies should specifically focus on large-scale production and commercialization of these juice mixtures.

The objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition of saffron's pollen.

A 30 kg sample of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) was collected at the end of November from a farm in a village in the suburb of Gonabad, in Khorasan Razavi, in Iran. Then the pollens were separated from the flowers and stored at −15°C in airtight containers until the analyze. The proximate composition of the pollen was determined by using standard methods of food analysis. The samples of ash were used for the subsequent determination of potassium, magnesium, sodium, calcium, zinc, iron, copper and manganese by using atomic absorption.

Results showed the chemical composition as follows: moisture (12.50 percent), ash (9.5 percent), crude fiber (7.4 percent), crude fat (5.8 percent), crude protein (23.6 percent) and total carbohydrate (20 percent). Saffron's pollen is a good source of minerals such as potassium (57,460 ppm), magnesium (3,357.5 ppm), sodium (1,100 ppm), calcium (600 ppm), zinc (100.75 ppm), iron (194 ppm), copper (53.2 ppm) and manganese (48.5 ppm).

The composition and nutritional value of saffron's pollen had not been determined before.

The purpose of this paper was to formulate porridge using orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), soybean and moringa ingredients that optimizes its nutritional quality and acceptability.

A 16-run constrained D-optimal mixture design was used to evaluate proximate compositions and sensory acceptability of the products. Each composition and acceptability response variable was optimized separately, and then, the sweet spot that optimizes all was determined.

The protein, fiber, total ash, carbohydrate, iron and carotenoid contents as well as major sensory quality indicators were significantly affected by soybean, moringa and OFSP blends. However, the influence of the mixture on fat content was weak. Sensory acceptability was high for porridges processed from high OFSP and soybean, but higher nutritional quality was obtained from higher moringa levels. Graphical optimization showed that blends containing 68-75 per cent OFSP, 17-26 per cent soybean and 5-8 per cent moringa have produced nutrient enriched porridges with desirable sensory quality.

The study showed that OFSP, soybean and moringa have a potential for making protein, carbohydrate, dietary fiber, pro-vitamin A carotenoids and iron enriched product that will contribute to the fight against malnutrition in developing nations such as Ethiopia. In addition, having OFSP in the blend masks undesirable odor and taste imparted by moringa.

Due to the rise in urbanization, demand for easily prepared foods such as pastries and noodles has risen. But the high price of wheat in the global market puts financial stress on low-income people, especially on those living in tropical regions, where wheat does not thrive well. They depend solely on imported wheat, which is expensive due to importation cost, or seek other relatively less-nutritious cereals. Therefore the purpose of this paper is to investigate the possibility of supplementing wheat flour with flour from relatively cheap and easy-to-produce root tuber, such as cassava, potato and sweet potato.

Strong-, medium- and weak-gluten wheat flours were supplemented with flour from cassava, potato and sweet potato at 10, 20 and 30 percent. Strong gluten composites were used to make bread, whereas medium and weak gluten composites were used for cookie and noodle production, respectively. Protein, ash, fat, crude fiber, moisture, carbohydrate, gluten, zeleny and energy contents of each composite were tested.

The nutritional and sensory quality of bread, cookies and noodles made from wheat flour supplemented with root tuber flour at 10, 20 and 30 percent was assessed. Results revealed that mixing wheat flour and root tuber flour has important effects on the moisture, protein, carbohydrate, fat, ash, gluten, zeleny sedimentation value and crude fiber content of the resulting mixture. Moisture and carbohydrate increased while protein and fat significantly (p<0.05) decreased with increasing root tuber flour levels in formulations. Gluten content also decreased significantly with rising root tuber flour concentrations. There was a mild reduction in bread’s general acceptability at 10 and 20 percent in potato composites; thus potato flour was still acceptable at 20 percent. Cassava flour composite also topped with a general acceptability score of 69.26 at 20 percent in cookies, whereas sweet potato composite achieved a score of 84.81 in noodles.

This work has successfully confirmed that wheat flour could be supplemented up to 20 percent with root tuber flour without compromising the nutritional and sensory quality of products. It has also demonstrated that different products require different root tuber flour substitution for optimum results. Potato at 10 percent substitution was found to be best for bread production. Cassava and sweet potato at 10 percent substitution were also best for cookies and noodles, respectively. With respect to protein content only, sweet potato substitution is better than cassava and potato.

This study was designed to incorporate untreated and alkaline hydrogen peroxide treated wheat bran into wheat flour and to access the appropriate type of bran and its optimum level of addition in flour, which may not affect quality but enhance the overall status of the fiber in the bakery products.

Composite flours prepared by replacing wheat flour with wheat bran both untreated and untreated at 5, 10, 15 and 20 per cent were subject to proximate analysis. Panel of judges evaluated cakes prepared from composite flours to access suitable level of substitution. Calorific value of the product prepared was also determined.

Statistical analysis of data obtained predicted that significant decrease in moisture and nitrogen free extracts (carbohydrates) contents of flours were found. On the other hand, protein, fiber and total ash of the flour increase with increasing level of replacement. Calorific value of the cakes decreases with increasing level of wheat bran addition. Wheat bran up to 20 per cent replacement was found acceptable by the panel of judges with maximum acceptability of cake with chocolate flavor.

wheat bran may be supplemented to bakery product in order to prepare high fiber products. Wheat bran contains higher amount of insoluble fiber which can help to reduce the blood cholesterol level.

Research conduct was unique one in its nature as effect of both untreated and alkaline hydrogen peroxide treated wheat bran was evaluated in the same study and suitable levels of addition for both were accessed.