Natural & Applied Sciences

Research Papers/Topics Natural & Applied Sciences

Determination of Technology for Processing Indigenous Spices to Enhance Quality and Flavour Retention

ABSTRACT In this study, the appropriate technology for processing three indigenous spices for enhancement of their quality and flavour retention was investigated. Some freshly harvested fruits of Tetrapleura tetraptera (oshorisho), Xylopia aethiopica (uda) and Piper nigrum (uziza) were processed in ground and liquid forms, and packaged and stored in plastic cans, high density polyethylene and metal cans for six months. The samples were analysed for some non – sensory quality attribu...

DETERMINATION OF AQUIFER CHARACTERITICS IN ITEM AREA OF SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT Hydro-Geo-electrical study of subsurface geology of Item area, South-eastern Nigeria has been carried out involving twenty-four Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) of which the schlumberger electrode configuration was employed for the field data acquisition. A maximum of half the current electrode separation (AB/2) of 1000m was used. The VES data were interpreted using conventional partial curve matching method to obtain initial model parameters while the computer iterative modell...

Effective Parameters Which Enhance Soil Remediation After Oil Spillage

ABSTRACT The efficiency of oil remediation of crude oil contaminated soils was analyzed in this work. Factors such as (a) volume of oil spilled, (b) volume of detergent used (c) weight of soil and (d) contact time between oil and soil were isolated for their effect on efficiency. The result shows that the efficiency of remediation by detergent leaching of soil is a function of the following parameters, volume of detergent used, weight of soil and contact time. As expected, plots of volum...

INTEGRATED LANDSAT-ETM+ AND AEROMAGNETIC STUDY FOR ENHANCED STRUCTURAL AND GEOTHERMAL INTERPRETATION: CASE STUDY OF PART OF CALABAR FLANK, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT An integrated structural interpretation of part of the Calabar Flank and environs was carried out using high resolution aeromagnetic (HRAM) and Landsat-ETM+ data to study magnetic basement depth, structure and tectonics of the study area. It is believed that result of this study will help in making far reaching inferences of the hydrocarbon and geothermal potentials of the study area. Several image processing and analytical techniques were applied to both the aeromagnetic and Lan...

Current applications of probiotic foods in Africa

Currently, there is a growing interest in the consumption of probiotic foods due to their reported health benefits. In developed countries, probiotics have been extensively studied and this has led to the production of a variety of probiotic foods especially with dairy milk. However, the use of beverages from plant materials as a potential carrier of probiotic microorganisms is receiving increasing attention. Various indigenous fermented foods containing probiotic bacteria have been part of l...

Amino acid profile, protein digestibility, thermal and functional properties of Conophor nut (Tetracarpidium conophorum) defatted flour, protein concentrate and isolates

Summary Functional properties, amino acid compositions, in vitro protein digestibility, electrophoretic and thermal characteristics of conophor defatted flour (CDF), conophor protein concentrate (CPC), isoelectric protein isolate (CII) and neutral protein isolate (CNI) were evaluated. The isolates (CII and CNI) showed significantly lower (P < 0.05) water and oil absorption capacities, emulsifying and gelling capacities, but higher emulsion stability and foaming capacity. In vitro protein dige...

Physico-thermal and pasting properties of soy-melon-enriched “gari” semolina from cassava

Abstract: The physical, thermal and pasting properties of “gari”, a fermented and toasted cassava granule, enriched with 10% full fat soy-melon protein supplements, at different processing stages, were studied. The stages at which the gari meal was enriched were: after fermentation but before toasting (PRT, soak-mix method) and after toasting (AFT, dry-mix method). Based on the result of the analysis of the physical properties, the swelling index of the samples decreased from 3.79 for the...

EFFECT OF CO-FERMENTATION ON NUTRITIVE QUALITY AND PASTING PROPERTIES OF MAIZE/COWPEA/SWEET POTATO AS COMPLEMENTARY FOOD

Abstract Traditional complementary foods based on cereals have inadequate nutrients required by infants. This study developed a co- fermentation process of maize (50%), cowpea, (30%) and sweet potato (20%w/w) to produce a complementary food for infants. The control was fermented whole grain maize. Gruel of fermented cereal is called ‘ogi’ in Yoruba native language of south-west Nigeria. Analyses of proximate composition, minerals, amino acids and ß-carotene contents were done using stand...

Studies on the Nutritional quality, anti-nutritional factors, amino acid profile and functional properties of co-fermented wheat/cowpea

ABSTRACT Nigeria was ranked 14th in global assessment of under-five mortality rate due to infants poor nutrition. (The Punch 2011) The Wheat, genus Triticum, tribe,Triticeae family, is limiting in lysine but has adequate amount of sulphur-containing amino acids (Adeyeye & Aye 2005).The cultivation of Triticum durum yields well in Nigeria. It is mainly consumed by adults who eatit in bread and other pastries (The Compass 2011).There have been cases of hypersensitive response to wheat gluten ca...

Ethanol Yield of Three Varieties of Cassava (Odongbo, Ofege, and TMS 30572) Using α-Amylase from Germinated Paddy Rice and Yeast from Palm Wine

AbstractA process of conversion of flour from three varieties of cassava, namely Odongbo, ofege and TMS30752 to ethanol using α-amylase locally sourced from germinated unhusked paddy rice and yeast isolated from palm wine was developed. It involves the germination of paddy rice for a period of 15days to produce α- amylase for starch hydrolysis and isolation of yeast from palm wine for fermentation. The results showed that optimum amylase yield of “ofada” rice paddy was at 6th day germin...

Development of extraction protocol for phenolic compounds in musk tree seed (Buchholzia coriacea)

The impact of extraction methodology and polarity of extraction solvents on the assay of phenolic compounds was investigated using musk tree seed (Buchholzia coriacea) as a model substrate. The efficiency of four solvents (methanol, ethanol, acetone and ethyl acetate) at 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% aqueous solution and five extraction methods (shaking, vortex mixing, stirring, sonication, sonication/vortexing and accelerated solvent extractor) in extracting the phenolics of B. coriacea were evalu...

Proximate and sensory properties of fruit juice produced from varieties of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus).

Abstract Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) juice was produced from different varieties of watermelon (Dansuke, orangeglo and cream of Saskatchewan). Single strength orange juice was used as control. Proximate composition of  sample products was analyzed. Results showed that single strength orange juice had more moisture and protein (93.41% and 0.74% respectively) than the water melon juices. The watermelon juice had more carbohydrates, fat and ash.  Taste of single strength orange juice was c...

Physical Properties of Cookies Produced from Cassava – Groundnut-Corn Starch Blend- A Response Surface Analysis

ABSTRACT  Cookie bars were produced from mixtures of cassava and groundnut flours with cornstarch as binder. Box-Behnken response surface design for k=3 was used to study the effects of experimental variables for cassava flour (25- 75%), groundnut flour (25-75%) and corn starch (5-15%). Effects of the experimental variables on physical properties of the cookie bars were assessed. Experimental variables had significant effect on the thickness and spread factor of the cookie bars. Keywords: P...

QUALITY, SENSORY AND STORAGE ATTRIBUTES OF CHEESE PRODUCED FROM COWMILK SUPPLEMENTED WITH TIGERNUT AND COCONUT MILK

ABSTRACT Cheese is a concentrated dairy product produced by acid or rennet curdling of milk, stirring and heating the curd, draining off the whey, collecting and pressing the curd. In this study, Cheese was made from cow milk supplemented with tigernut milk and coconut milk in the percentage ratio of 25:25:50; 25:50:25; 50:25:25; 75:25:0; 75:0:25% cow- tigernut milk-coconut milk (v/v). The unsupplemented cow milk cheese was used as control. The quality, shelf life and sensory attributes of th...

CHARACTERISATION OF MICROWAVED AND OVEN DRIED AERIAL YAM (Dioscorea bulbifera) STARCH

ABSTRACT Native Starch was extracted from Aerial yam (Dioscorea bulbifera). The starch extracted was dried using oven (at 300C for 24 hours) and microwaved for (30, 45, 60 seconds). Starch obtained using different drying methods and conditions were analysed for their physicochemical, functional properties and pasting characteristics. Results obtained showed that amylose, amylopectin, colour, pH, bulk density, swelling power, least gelation capacity, oil absorption capacity, water absorption c...


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