Nutritional Composition of Three Selected Traditional Diets: A Case Study of Ngwa People in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

The consumption and encouragement of indigenous diets could help alleviate malnutrition and mitigate food insecurity in developing countries. In this regard, three Nigerian traditional diets: Akidi (Vigna unguiculata), Akara-Igboro (manihot esculenta), and Ofe-achara (Pennisetum purpureum soup) mixed with Mgbam (baked melon seed) and Garri (Cassva flakes) were evaluated for sensory characteristics, proximate composition, anti-nutrient composition, as well as vitamins, and mineral content using standard methods. Data from the sensory characteristics indicated that Ofeachara mixed with Mgbam and Garri (7.67 ± 0.89) was the most acceptable diet. The proximate analysis also revealed that Ofeachara mixed with Mgbam and Garri was highest in carbohydrate, (55.08 ± 4.66%), Ash (6.67 ± 2.89%) and moisture content (8.41 ± 0.89%) while Akidi was highest in protein (5.91 ± 0.05%) and crude fibre (12.31 ± 0.01%). The anti-nutritional analysis of the diets revealed that Akara-Igboro had the highest phytate (0.40 ± 0.01%), Alkaloid (50.00 ± 1.33%), oxalate (27.28 ± 0.88%) and Cyanogenic glycosides content (1.62 ± 0.12%) when compared to other diets. The vitamin content also showed that Akara-Igboro had the highest concentrations of vitamin B 2 and C (21.67 ± 0.02g/100g and 17.01 ± 0.01g/100g) respectively. The highest level of calcium was found in Ofeachara mixed with Mgbam and Garri (0.08 ± 0.01mg/100g). This study revealed that these traditional diets are crucial sources of important nutrients. Increased consumption of these nutrient-rich diets will mitigate nutrition-related disorders.

Macronutrients level in Commonly Consumed South Indian Breakfast Meals: An Analytical Study

“…Koodagi et al [21] have studied the macronutrient status of popular street foods in Karnataka. Amadi et al [22] have studied the nutritional composition of traditional dishes such as Kekefiyai, Kiri-igina, and Opuru-fulou of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Israel and Samuel (2020) [23] have studied the proximate composition in eight street foods such as roasted plantain, fish, yam, corn and dough nuts, suya, eggroll, meat-pie from parts of Lagos Nigeria.…”

Amino Acids Profile and Beneficial Metals Composition of Some Selectedspecies of Seafood From Sombreiroriver in Idama, Rivers State.

“…The seafood samples were also analysed for the presence of Na, K, Mg, Fe, and Mn, and the results obtained are presented in Table 3. The importance of minerals found in food materials to the body has been stressed [32,33]. Urga and Narasimha [34] observed that the nutritional value of diet in terms of elemental minerals is based on the amount of mineral that is available for physiological processes in the organism much more than the content in the diet.…”

Characterization of Traditional Foods and Diets in Rural Areas of Bauchi State, Nigeria: Analysis of Nutrient Components

“…A report on the micromineral content of 141 Nigerian foods [31] included only a few of the foods commonly consumed in Northern Nigeria. Limited data on indigenous meals are available for a few states including Jigawa in the north-west [32]; Nasarawa in the north-central [33]; Anambra, Enugu [34], and Abia [35] in the southeast; and Delta in the south-south of Nigeria [34]. In sum, a paucity of data exists on the nutrient profile of numerous foods included in traditional diets in the Bauchi State of Northeastern Nigeria.…”