Abari (a maize-based pudding) was prepared from five selected formulations of maize-bambara groundnut composite flours generated using central rotatable design of Response Surface Method. A control was also prepared from 100% maize flour. Standard methods were used to determine the functional properties of the various flours as well as the proximate compositions and sensory attributes of abari made from them. Inclusion of bambara groundnut flour caused a significant difference in the swelling index (1.65-2.69 g/g) of the various 3 flours but bulk density (0.76-0.92 g/cm), oil absorption capacity (0.66-0.88 g/g) and water absorption capacity (1.44-1.59 g/g) were not significantly affected. Protein and ash contents of abari significantly increased with inclusion of bambara groundnut flour. The value of the protein content ranges from 6.21-31.69%. Supplementation of maize with bambara groundnut for abari production generally resulted in improved sensory qualities. Based on the findings, the application of bambara groundnut in the fortification of maizebased African traditional foods can help improve the nutritional status of the African populace without causing adversely impaired rheological and cooking qualities of the products.

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The effect of Aframomum danielli powder on the shelf life of physico-chemical properties of soy-milk based juice was studied. In this paper, attempt was made to investigate the preservative effect of the powder of Aframomum danielli, a local spice, on the physico-chemical properties of blends of soymilk and juices from fruits and vegetable by prolonging its shelf life. This was done by adding 0.5-3.0grams of the spice powder to every 200ml of the blend, while the control samples had no spice. The juice quality was analyzed for sensory attributes and physico-chemical parameters over six month's period of storage at interval of four weeks. Sensory evaluation of the juices was judged for colour, flavour, taste and general acceptability, on a nine-point hedonic scale, varying from "dislike extremely" (score 1) to "like extremely" (score 9), according to the method of [39]. Ten (10) untrained panel members carried out the sensory evaluation. Infrared spectrophotometer was used to identify functional groups in the powder of the spice, Aframomum danielli, responsible for the stability of the juice. Differences were observed in the colour and aroma of treated samples in comparison with the control, though the samples were generally accepted. The percentage losses recorded for the total soluble solids, ascorbic acids and total sugars of treated samples were far lesser than those of control over the same condition and period of storage. Some of the active components of the spice identified are 4-amino-acetophenone, N,N-dimethyl-2-chloroacetoacetamide, 3-beta-acetoxy-5-etienic acid, 6,10-dimethylundeca-5,9,-diene2-one, Phenyl-3-buten and 4-Phenyl butanone. The samples treated with the Aframomum danielli powder were better preserved than the untreated ones (control).

Indexing p. 1  Editorial Bord p. 1  Guide for Authors p. 3  Manuscript preparation p. 5