Chemical,sensory and rheological properties of porridges from processed sorghum (Sorghum bicolor,bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) flours

The chemical, sensory and rheological properties of porridges made from blends of sprouted sorghum, bambara groundnuts and fermented sweet potatoes were examined. Sorghum and bambara groundnuts were sprouted for 48 h while sweet potatoes were fermented for the same period. Blends were formulated from the processed ingredients in the ratio of 60:40:0, 57:42:1, 55:44:1 and 52:46:2 (protein basis) of sorghum, bambara groundnuts and sweet potatoes. Porridges were prepared from the composite flours and the traditional sorghum complementary food. Standard assay methods were used to evaluate the flours for nutrient composition. The porridges were also tested for sensory properties and viscosity. Processing increased the levels of most of the nutrients evaluated. Relative to the sorghum traditional complementary food, thecomposite flours had higher levels of lipids, protein, ash, crude fiber and minerals (p<0.05). The porridges from the composite flours were generally liked slightly by the panelists and were about seven times less viscous than the porridge from the traditional sorghum complementary food. Use of the composite flours, particularly the 52:46:2 blend, as a traditional complementary food should be encouraged in Nigeria especially with the increasing cost of commercial complementary foods.     

Chemical evaluation of multimixes formulated from some local staples for use as complementary foods in Nigeria

The nutrient composition of eight multimixesformulated for use as complementary foods fromprocessed soybeans, cowpeas, maize, sorghum, yams,cocoyams, plantains and sweet potatoes were examined. The foods were processed by sprouting, cooking andfermentation. The samples were separately dried andmilled to fine flours. A ratio of 65% cereal, 30%legume and 5% starchy staple (65:30:5) calculated ona protein basis was used to formulate the multimixes. The blends were chemically analyzed using standardprocedures. The mixtures containing soybeans hadhigher protein, lipid, energy, crude fiber and calciumlevels but lower carbohydrate content than thosemixtures without soybean. The protein and energylevels of the multimixes were higher than those ofsome commercial infant foods (Cerelac, Farex andNestrum) in Nigeria but were comparable to that of`soy-ogi'. The multimixes contained fair quantitiesof calcium and phosphorus and an adequate amount ofsome of the essential amino acids. Methionine was themost limiting amino acid in all the mixtures. Blending cowpeas with maize produced a higher proteinscore than blending cowpeas or soybeans with sorghum. The cowpea/maize/sweet potato mixture had the highestprotein score.     

The effects of sprouting times on nutritive value of two varieties of african yam bean (sphenostylis stenocarpa)

Forty-eight rats (80–125 g) were used to determine the nutritive value of two sprouted varieties of African yam bean. The cream and brown varieties were each sprouted for 36, 48 and 72 h and blended with corn in a 70:30 ratio (protein basis) to provide 1.6 g N/100 g diet for the entire study period. Sprouting for 48 h caused an increase in most of the parameters tested for both varieties. Sprouting increased natural enhancement of nutrients.     

Chemical and sensory evaluation of vegetable milks from African yam bean Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst ex A Rich) Harms and maize (Zea mays L.)

Vegetable milks were developed from fermented and unfermented African yam bean (AYB) flours and their maize blends. AYB was cleaned, dehulled, milled and fermented for 24 hours by the natural microflora present in the legume flour. Maize was fermented for 48 hours. A ratio of 70:30 (protein basis) of AYB: maize was used to formulate the blends. Vegetable milks were prepared from the AYB flours and their maize blends. Standard assay techniques were used to evaluate the milks for proximate, mineral, ascorbate and antinutrient composition. The protein contents of the milks (1.47–2.06 percent) was comparable to soymilk (2.04 percent) and bambara groundnut milk (2.00 percent). The milks contained appreciable quantities of carbohydrate and minerals tested. The milk blends had traces of ascorbate and contained higher phosphorus than the milks from the AYB flours. The fermented milk blend had higher protein, ash and sugar levels and lower phytate and stachyose levels compared to non-fermented blend. Raffinose was reduced to trace levels in the fermented milks. The milks were appetizing. The fermented milk blend was more acceptable than others and was preferred in terms of flavor and color. It had greater advantages over the other vegetable milks evaluated in terms of zinc, phosphorus and stachyose levels.