The pH and functional properties: water and oil absorption capacity, bulk density, solubility, swelling power and foaming capacity of tigernut and cowpea flour blends were determined. The flour blends were coded with the letters B, C, D, E, F, G and H for cowpea flour substitutions of 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 and 50 % respectively. For comparison sample A1, A2 and A3 representing 100 % of wheat, tigernut and cowpea respectively, were also evaluated. Standard methods were used for all the analysis. pH of the flour samples varied significantly (P ≤ 0.05) from 5.60-6.23 for sample B (5 % cowpea flour substitution) and A2 (100% tiger nut flour) respectively. Water and oil absorption capacity varied significantly (P ≤ 0.05) from 1.00-2.90 ml/g and 0.39-1.38 ml/g respectively. Sample A1 (100% wheat flour) and Sample B (5% Cowpea: 95% tigernut flour) was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) the highest in water absorption capacity while sample A1 (% wheat flour) had the highest oil absorption capacity. Bulk density varied from 0.58 - 0.84 g/cm3. Although Cowpea flour (sample A3) had the highest bulk density, there was significant (P ≤ 0.05) decrease with increase in cowpea substitution. Swelling power and solubility ranged from 0.08-6.74 g/g and 8.00–67.35 % respectively. Sample A1 (% wheat flour) had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) the highest solubility and swelling power while Sample A3 (% cowpea flour) had the least. The functional properties of the tigernut-cowpea composite flour were comparable with that of the wheat flour, except for the swelling power that was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher for the wheat flour. The result showed that the composite tigernut-cowpea flour can be good alternative in the production of bakery products that would not require much swelling.

The study evaluated the proximate composition and sensory properties of fruits (banana and tomatoes) and vegetables (Lettuce and cabbage) from an open market and a shopping mall to ascertain the effect of the two environments on the sample quality. Standard analytic procedures were used in sample analysis. Open market samples had moisture, protein, fat, ash, crude fibre and carbohydrate content of 76.56-92.96, 0.25-1.24, 0.03–0.91, 0.56–1.17, 2.20–3.34 and 1.17 – 14.13 % respectively, while values for shopping mall were 80.62-94.10, 0.16–0.29, 0.06–0.21, 0.40–0.86, 1.54–3.87 and 0.91–14.28 % respectively. The degree of likeness for the appearance, flavour (aroma/taste), texture (firmness/crunchiness) and overall acceptability of the samples from the open market ranged from 6.60 - 7.00, 4.90 - 6.35, 5.25 -5.95 and 5.80 - 6.10 respectively, and those of the shopping mall were 6.55–7.25, 4.70–6.65, 5.45–5.95 and 5.85–6.30 respectively. The environment had significant (P≤0.05) influence on the proximate composition and sensory properties of the fruits and the vegetables. Fruits and vegetables from the open market had significantly (P≤0.05) higher nutrient content. The environment of the shopping mall provided the low temperature which improved upon the moisture and sensory attributes of the samples as evidenced in higher degree of likeness of samples from the shopping mall. This revealed the importance of storage and sales of fruits and vegetables under chilled storage.