The toxicants and phosphorus content of some Nigerian vegetables

The oxalate, hydrocyanic acid, phytic acid and phosphorus contents of twelve leafy vegetables were determined. The values ranged from 47.7–194.3 mg/100 g DM, 4.32–23.8 mg/100 g DM, 90–260 mg/100 g DM and 215–1110 mg/100 g DM, respectively. The ratio of phytic acid to phosphorus ranged from 13.9–90.7. The leaves contained low levels of hydrocyanic acid, while the oxalate, phytic acid and phosphorus contents were high. The results are discussed in terms of their clinical implications and nutritive values.     

Effects of wilting,blanching and storage temperatures on ascorbic acid and total carotenoids content of some Nigerian fresh vegetables

Four fresh vegetables (fluted pumpkin leaf, okra, African spinach, and water leaf) were studied. Determinations were made of the amounts of ascorbic acid and total carotenoids in fresh, wilted and blanched begetables as well as in fresh and blanched vegetables stored at ?10°C and 5°C. Results showed that wilting accounted for the highest losses in both ascorbic acid and carotenoids in all vegetables investigated. The least losses in the two nutrients were observed in blanched vegetables. In general carotenoid was more stable to the different treatments than ascorbic acid.     

The saponins content of some Nigerian oil seeds

Three oil bearing seeds grown in Nigeria were found to contain saponins. The oil seeds, African oil bean seed (Pentaclethra macrophylla) rubber seed (Havea brasilienses), andMucuna uriens were defatted and saponin fractions extracted with 20% aqueous ethanol. Saponins obtained after extraction were 2.1% for African oil bean seed, 1.8% for rubber seed, and 2.1% forMucuna. These figures were similar to that of defatted soyabean with 2.4%. Results are discussed in relation to the possible beneficial or detrimental effects of saponins to man or animals that may consume these oil seeds.     

Ascorbic acid content,pH, and acceptability of home-canned tomatoes

Four varieties of tomatoes were home canned by using raw and hot packs and various levels of citric acid and sugar. After six months' storage, pH values were lowest and titratable acidity highest in samples containing added citric acid. Ascorbic acid content was affected by variety used and was significantly higher (p<0.001) in tomatoes that had been raw packed. Adding 0.5 g citric acid or 1 g citric acid plus 1 tsp sugar acceptably decreased the pH of tomatoes for home canning without producing deleterious effects on flavor or texture. Both raw-packed tomatoes processed for 35 min and hot-packed tomatoes processed for 10 min in the boiling water bath produced acceptable products.Contribution No. 81-253-j Department of Foods and Nutrition, Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Manhattan, KS 66506.     

Variation in ascorbic acid and mineral content in fruits of some varieties of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

Ascorbic acid content in green and ripe fruits and zinc, copper, manganese, iron, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus content in dry fruits were found to vary significantly in different varieties of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.). Ascorbic acid content in ripe fruits of all of the eleven chilli varieties was higher than in the corresponding green fruits. Path coefficient analysis showed that number of days to fruit ripening, fruit surface area, fruit length, dry and fresh fruit yield, ascorbic acid content in green fruits and iron, calcium, magnesium and copper content in dry fruits influenced ascorbic acid content in ripe fruits of chilli.     

The control of polyphenol oxidase activity in fruits and vegetables

Objective of this research was to find alternative methods for the control of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity in fruits and vegetables with the purpose of reducing or eliminating the use of SO₂ for this purpose. Interactions between the use of ascorbic acid, citric acid, EDTA, sodium metabisulphite and heat treatment (70 °C for 2 min) in the control of PPO activity were studied in avocado (var. Fortuna), banana (var. Nanica), apple (var. Ana, Fuji, Gala & Golden), pear (var. D'Agua), peach (var. Real), potato (var. Bintje), eggplant (var. Super F100), mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) and hearts-of-palm (Euterpe edulis Mart.). The results demonstrated that PPO of avocado and eggplant was most resistant to inhibition by the methods used. The least efficient method tested for the control of PPO was the addition of ascorbic acid and EDTA, while the most efficient methods investigated included the use of ascorbic acid, citric acid, sodium metabisulphite and heat treatment. The results indicated that, with the exception of PPO from avocado, the most adequate alternative method to substitute for the use of SO₂ in the control of PPO was a combination of ascorbic acid, citric acid and heat treatment.     

Evaluation of mineral elements and ascorbic acid contents in fruits of some wild plants

The fruits of some wild plants were examined for their contents of mineral elements and ascorbic acid.High levels of ascorbic acid were found in fruits ofSclerocarya birrea (403.3 mg/100 g) andAdansonia digitata (337 mg/100 g). In nine of the fruits examined, the mineral contents (Ca, P) were comparable with average values found in common fruits. The iron contents were however 2–5 times higher than the values for common fruits.     

Protein content and amino acid profile of some wild leguminous seeds

Seeds of 28 wild growing legumes of India were analysed for their protein content and amino acid compositions. A wide variation was observed in protein contents (18.3 to 50.9%). The amino acid composition and protein content of some of these seeds were in close proximity to that of soybean; however, some legumes registered a higher level of certain amino acids and protein as compared to the latter.     

Ascorbic acid and glycoalkaloid content of Atlantic and Superior potato tubers as affected by supplemental irrigation and soil amendments

Atlantic and Superior potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers were collected at harvest from two field experiments in Maine during 1993 and 1994. Tubers were analyzed for ascorbic acid (ASC) and total glycoalkaloid (TGA) concentration within one month of harvest and after 4 to 5 months of storage at 10 C. ASC concentration was significantly higher in Superior than Atlantic at harvest and after storage. TGA concentration was consistently higher in Atlantic than Superior. Irrigation tended to slightly reduce ASC and increase α-solanine concentrations when applied too late in the season for yield benefits. Storage decreased tuber ASC content, but no specific pattern was observed for TGA changes. Soil amendment programs using compost and manure (22 Mg ha^?1 potato compost + 45 Mg ha^?1 manure) did not dramatically affect tuber ASC or TGA concentrations. ASC content of the tubers declined dramatically in storage, but no consistent pattern was found for tuber TGA changes. We conclude that genotype, growing environment, and storage time play much stronger roles in determining tuber ASC and TGA levels than do irrigation and soil management programs. We observed a negative relationship between the average tuber size of the assayed samples and ASC concentration in fall samplings; however, this relationship was not observed from storage. Average tuber size and TGA content generally displayed a negative relationship.     

Aerobic spore-forming bacteria and chemical composition of some Nigerian fermented soup condiments

A total of 97 strains of spore-forming Bacilluswere isolated from 45 samples of three Nigerian fermented condiments, obtained from retail markets located inSouthwestern Nigeria. The isolates were identified asB. subtilis (33%), B. pumilus (19%), B. licheniformis (22%), B. brevis (9%), B.megaterium (12%) and B. polymyxa (5%). Themicrobial load of the condiments showed that the averagecount of spore-formers was between 10⁷ to 10⁹cfu/g. The moisture contents of iru, ugba and ogiri were 57.18%, 46.32% and 42.34%, respectively,while the protein contents were 18.26%, 17.17% and 17.96%. The percentage fat was 29.88%, 40.25% and 44.14% for iru, ugba and ogiri. The ashcontent ranged from 5.8 to 6.1%; a 0.1% titratableacidity and pH values above 7.0 were obtained for the three condiments.     

Impact of preharvest application of biological control agents on postharvest diseases of fresh fruits and vegetables

During the storage of harvested commodities, environmental parameters are quite stable. For this and other reasons, it is generally believed that biological control by means of microbial antagonists may have a greater potential for success when applied postharvest. However, one of the major obstacles to the development of postharvest biocontrol agents is that they are unable to control previously established infections, such as latent and quiescent infections and incipient infections occurring through wounds resulting from harvesting operations. Field application of biocontrol agents may enable early colonisation of fruit surfaces, thus protecting from these infections. Moreover, preharvest applications can be an appropriate strategy for fruits and vegetables subject to damage in postharvest handling. To be successful in preharvest applications, putative biocontrol agents must be able to tolerate low-nutrient availability, UV radiation, high temperature and dry conditions. Some reports of postharvest biological control accomplished by preharvest applications, include apples, avocados, sweet cherries, grapes, and strawberries. This paper provides a brief overview on particular aspects of preharvest application of biocontrol agents to reduce postharvest decay. Research areas relevant for the development of this strategy are also indicated.     

Dietary fiber content of commonly fresh and cooked vegetables consumed in India

Legumes, leafy vegetables,roots and tubers, gourds and other vegetables were analyzed for total (TDF), soluble (SDF) and insoluble (IDF) dietaryfiber contents, both before and after cooking eitherby a conventional open-pan method or by pressurecooker. Data revealed a significant increase inSDF fraction with a concomitant decrease in the IDFfraction upon cooking by both the methods employed. Although the decrease in IDF matched the increase inSDF values in some cases, it was found to be more invegetables categorized as `other'. The dietary fiber values have also been reported on a fresh weight basis which may serve as a guideline for calculating dietary intake of eachcomponent by the consumer.     

Evaluation of growth of Neosartorya spp. on some Nigerian fruit products

Growth of Neosartorya fischeri, N. fischeri var. spinosa and N. quadricincta on inoculated fruit juice agars (FJAs) consisting of 1% agar and juices from mango (MJA), orange (OJA) and pineapple (PJA) containing various levels of added sucrose was studied in terms of the average number of colonies produced by their ascospores, time (days) required before colonies were formed and developed to confluent mycelial mat as well as the level of reproductive spores produced. The means of the number of colonies on PJA and OJA without added sucrose were significantly (p =0.05) higher than that of MJA. Addition of sucrose at levels of 10% to PJA, 11.5% to OJA and 9% to MJA increased the numbers of colonies whereas sucrose levels of 30% or more in PJA, 31.5% or more in OJA and 29% or more in MJA decreased the number of colonies produced. At any level of added sucrose to FJAs, a significant (p =0.05) delay occurred before the colonies were formed and developed to confluent mycelial mat except in PJA containing 10% sucrose. All cultures produced abundant cleistothecia on all FJAs without added sucrose. Addition of sucrose at levels of 30% to PJA, 31.5% to OJA and 29% to MJA resulted in the production of abundant conidial heads with a corresponding decrease in the proportion of cleistothecia.     

Toxicological screening of lyophilized extract of some Nigerian wild mushrooms in mice

Mushrooms are macrofungi widely consumed as food. However, many mushrooms rot away in the wild because of fear of toxicity. Therefore, lyophilized aqueous extracts of 6 mushroom species collected from Zaria, Nigeria and taxonomically identified as Chlorophyllum molybdites, Panaeolus subalteatus, Macrolepiota procera, Leucopaxillus albissmus, Hygrophoropsis aurantiacus and Pholiota aurea were screened for toxicity in mice. Lyophilized aqueous extract of each of these mushrooms was administered to three groups of 3 mice intraperitoneally (i.p.) at doses of 100, 1000 and 10, 000 mg kg(-1), respectively. Another group of three mice given distilled water served as control. The mice were examined for clinical signs of toxicity over a period of 72 h and pathological examinations conducted on dead animals. The severity of clinical signs, onset of death and pathological lesions were dose dependent. Death occurred within 10 min in all the mice dosed at 10,000 mg kg(-1) with the lyophilized extracts of all the mushrooms screened, with the exception of that of H. aurantiacus, which produced death 21-23 h post administration. This result showed that all the screened mushrooms, including the popular edible M. procera were found toxic. Therefore, since all the mushrooms screened were found toxic, it is recommended that extreme caution should be exercised in their consumption. Furthermore, in view of the regional differences in the toxicity of mushrooms, there is the need to screen more wild mushrooms found in Nigeria for toxicity. This will boost mushroom mycophagy, reduce poisoning incidence and reduce wastage of edible mushrooms in the wild.     

Proximate composition and mineral content of selected Tanzanian vegetables and the effect of traditional processing on the retention of ascorbic acid,riboflavin and thiamine

Proximate composition, mineral content and the effect of traditional processing practices on the retention of ascorbic acid, riboflavin and thiamine were studied using amaranth, cowpea, peanut, pumpkin and sweetpotato leaves. Results of this study indicated that, crude protein, crude fat, carbohydrate and ash contents were in the range of 20.64–46.56 percent, 2.57–4.34 percent, 35.43–63.50 percent and 8.92–15.69 percent respectively. The mineral content per 100 g of fresh vegetables was in the range of 83.64–229.34 mg, 145.97–780.19 mg, 11.56–21.31 mg, 43.02–110.30 mg, 0.96–5.90 mg and 0.40–2.24 mg for Ca, K, Na, Mg, Fe and Zn respectively. For ascorbic acid, riboflavin and thiamine, concentrations in 100 g of fresh vegetables were in the range of 43.78–89.00 mg, 0.62–1.71 mg and 0.09–0.30 mg respectively. The traditional processing practices of sun/shade drying and storing in ventilated containers resulted in a significant (P<0.05) decrease in ascorbic acid, riboflavin and thiamine for all vegetables. Conventional blanching and cooking for up to 15 minutes resulted in a significant (P<0.05) increase in riboflavin content in cowpea, peanut and pumpkin greens while in amaranth and sweetpotato leaves, thermal processing resulted in a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the vitamin. Based on the results of this study, the vegetables were good dietary sources of minerals, carbohydrate and protein.     

Chemical composition of indigenous wild herbs,spices, fruits,nuts and leafy vegetables used as food

Thirty wild fruits, nuts, herbs, spices and leafy vegetables were characterized and their chemical composition determined. Some of them were not only used for food, but for medicine in minor aliments by the natives. Results of the proximate analysis showed that on dry weight basis, the crude protein content ranged from 4.6 to 22.1 percent for spices and herbs, 3.2 to 43.1 percent for fruits and nuts, and 15.9 to 35.7 percent for leafy vegetables. The fat (ether extract) ranged from 7.5 to 36.0 percent for spices and herbs, 1.8 to 72.6 percent for fruits and nuts and 10.6 to 22.6 percent for leafy vegetables. Total carbohydrate content ranged from 34.6 to 71.9 percent for spices and herbs, 11.3 to 76.1 percent for fruits and nuts, and 24.6 to 51.4 percent for leafy vegetables. The wild fruits, nuts and leafy vegetables are high in ascorbic acid (Vitamin C.) Ascorbic acid content ranged from 18 mg/100 g dry sample to 113 mg/100 g sample for fruits and nuts, and 23 mg/100 g to 232 mg/100 g sample for leafy vegetables. The levels for peroxide value and free fatty acids (as percent oleic acid) of the spices are generally low indicating good storage stability of these plant materials. The flavour imparting essential oils (as percent oleoresin) content of the spices/herbs were fairly high and ranged from 0.1 to 5.2 percent.     

Influence of some nematicides on the chemical composition of tomato fruits

The influence of five nematicides viz., DBCP, D-D, fensulfothion, carbofuran and aldicarb was investigated on the chemical composition of tomato fruits. Nematicidal treatment had considerable effect on the dry matter, acidity, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene and lycopene content. In general, beta-carotene content decreased whereas acidity and ascorbic acid content increased. D-D and DBCP decreased the dry matter while all other treatments increased it. Lycopene content decreased with all nematicides except aldicarb.

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Zusammenfassung Der Einfluß von 5 verschiedenen Nematiziden, DBCP, D-D, Fensulfothion, Carbofuran and Aldicarb, wurde im Hinblick auf die chemische Zusammenzetzung von Tomatenfrüchten untersucht. Behandlung mit Nematiziden hatte eine beträchtliche Wirkung auf Trockensubstanz, Gesamtsäure, Ascorbinsäure, -Carotin und Lycopin. Im allgemeinen nahm der -Carotin-gehalt ab, während Säure- und Ascorbinsäuregehalt zunahmen. D-D und DBCP bewirkten eine Abnahme der Trockensubstanz, während alle anderen Behandlungen sie förderten. Der Lycopingehalt nahm bei allen Nematizid-Behandlungen ab, mit Ausnahme bei Aldicarb-Behandlung.

     

Nitrate and vitamin C from fruits and vegetables: Impact of intake variations on nitrate and nitrite excretions of humans

The objective of the study was to determine nitrate + nitrite excretions of human subjects fed variable amounts of nitrates and nitrites and vitamin C from fruits and vegetables. During four, randomly-arranged experimental periods of seven days each, the 12 apparently healthy, adult human subjects consumed laboratory controlled, constant, diets which were systematically varied in kinds of fruits and vegetable to provide the four following variations: 414 mg nitrate + nitrite and 23 mg vitamin C, 412 mg nitrate + nitrite and 177 mg vitamin C, 23 mg nitrate + nitrite and 39 mg vitamin C, and 21 mg nitrate + nitrite and 193 mg vitamin C per subject per day, respectively. Subjects made complete collections of urine and stools throughout the study. Regardless of type of experimental diet fed, no nitrates and nitrites were detected in the feces. Urinary excretion of nitrate + nitrite was significantly greater at the higher levels of nitrate + nitrite intake than at the lower intake levels. Increased intake of vitamin C at either level of nitrate + nitrite intake resulted in apparent decreased urinary excretions of nitrite + nitrate.Published as University of Nebraska Agricultural Research Journal Series no. 9936.     

Effect of blanching on the content of antinutritional factors in selected vegetables

The effect of blanching on the antinutritional content was studied in cabbage, turnip, collard, sweetpotato and peanut leaves. All the vegetables contained various amounts of phytic acid, tannic acid and/or oxalic acid. Tannic acid was found in largest amounts ranging from 1266.00 mg/100 g in cabbage to 491.00 mg/100 g in sweetpotato. Phytic acid content ranged from 0.31 mg/100 g in sweetpotato to 3.97 mg/100 g in collard. Oxalic acid was in trace amounts in cabbage and turnip; but high concentrations were found in sweetpotato (469.67 mg/100 g) and peanut greens (407.00 mg/100 g). Levels of both tannic acid and phytic acid were significantly (p<0.05) reduced by conventional and microwave blanching methods while oxalic acid levels were not significantly (p<0.05) reduced in most of the treatments by either of the blanching methods. In general, blanching is recommended as an effective method for reducing the antinutritional factors in green vegetables, however, further investigation on the heating times for both conventional and microwave blanching methods has been suggested.     

Effect of soaking,cooking and germination on the oligosaccharide content of selected Nigerian legume seeds

The identity and quantity of and effect ofprocessing on raffinose oligosaccharides in raw,mature seeds of lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus),pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan), African yam beans(Sphenostylis sternocarpa) and jackbeans (Canavalia ensiformis) were investigated. Sucrose,raffinose, stachyose and verbascose were identified byHPLC in all the legume seeds. The total-galactoside contents of the seeds in decreasing order were African yam beans3.84 mg/100 mg; white lima beans 3.62 mg/100 mg; creampigeon peas 3.51 mg/100 mg; red lima beans3.37 mg/100 mg; jackbeans 2.83 mg/100 mg and brownpigeon peas 2.34 mg/100 mg. The predominantoligosaccharide was verbascose in pigeon peas andstachyose in the other three legumes. Cooking unsoakedseeds brought about a greater reduction in the total-galactoside content than soaking for ninehours. The removal of oligosaccharides was higher inlegumes cooked in alkaline solution than in water.Germination quantitatively reduced raffinose,stachyose and verbascose while sucrose was increasedin all seeds except red lima beans and jackbeans.