Evaluation of Nutritional and Anti Nutrition Factors of Orange-fleshed Sweet Potato, Yellow Root Cassava and Plantain Flour Blends Fortified with Moringa oleifera Leaves

Aim: The aim of this study is to produce flour from different blend ratio of orange fleshed sweet potato, yellow root cassava (YRC) and Plantain fortified with Moringa oleifera leaves powder and to determine the nutritional composition (vitamin and mineral) and phytochemical content of the composite flour.

Introduction: Orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) is a promising root crop due to its high β-carotene content which could help to reduce vitamin A deficiency (VAD). However, it is a less utilized perishable crop. Therefore, in other to improve it utilization in processing and bakery products the incorporation with other flours should be considered. In order to use OFSP tubers, incorporation with other flours in processing and baked products can be considered.

Study Design: The physicochemical analysis was carried out at the biochemistry laboratory of National Root Crop Research Institute (NRCR1) while part of the analysis was done at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Ibadan (IITA). Study lasted for 6 months.

Methodology: Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP), yellow roots cassava (YRC) were all sourced from National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike, while the plantain and Moringa oleifera leaves were gotten from Umuahia market and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (NRCRI) respectively. The samples were processed into flour and used to form a blend. The flour blend constitute of yellow root cassava, orange fleshed sweet potato and plantain which were fortified with Moringa oleifera leaves at constant portion of 5% while the YRC, OFSP and plantain were varied at different concentration of 65%, 70, 75, 80, 85, 95 and 5, 10, 95 and 5, 10, 15, 25 and 95% I.e. Sample A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H respectively.

Results: The result obtained indicated among the mineral content determined that sample G which serves as the control with 95% Plantain and 5% Moringa oleifera leaves powder exhibited highest in calcium having 13.26 mg/100 g, magnesium 88.06 mg/100 g, potassium 287.70 mg/100 g and iron 2.69 mg/100 g as compared to other composite flour. The phytochemical content of sample F (95% YRC with 5% Moringa oleifera leaves powder) has the highest in alkaloid, tannin and hemagglutinin content as 4.22 mg/100 g 2.26 mg/100 g and 12.43 mg/100 g respectively. The result also indicated that increase in the YRC and decrease in the OFSP caused an appreciable increase in the Vitamin B1, B3 C and D content.

Conclusion: The vitamins, mineral and phytochemical content of the products were enhanced and can be of nutritional benefit to the public.