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Development of chewy snack bars from mechanically dehulled toasted African breadfruit (Treculia africana) grits.
* 1 , 2 , 2 , 3 , 3
1  Department of Food Science and Technology, Federation University of Technology, P M.B 1526 Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
2  Department of Food Science and Technology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, P.M.B 7267 Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.
3  Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
Academic Editor: Moktar Hamdi

Abstract:

African breadfruit (Treculia africana) is a multipurpose tree species, thriving in tropical climates, evergreen throughout the year, holding a significant place in Nigerian traditions as an edible fruit tree, and offering substantial nutritional value to humans. Expanding the utilization of African breadfruit could contribute to its conservation and reduce the risk of extinction. The acceptability of chewy snack bars made from toasted African breadfruit (Treculia africana) grits was investigated. Treculia africana seeds were toasted, mechanically dehulled, reduced to grits and flour, blended in different ratios, used to produce chewy snack bars, and coded as TB1= 500g grits, TB2= 450g grits/50g flour, TB3= 400g grits/100g flour, TB4= 350g grits/150g flour, and TB5= 300g grits/100g flour/100g shredded coconut. The proximate composition, energy value, dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals, anti-nutrients, physical properties, and sensory quality of the snack bars were determined using standard methods, revealing the moisture content (8.11-8.82%), ash (1.21-2.49%), crude protein (18.45-27.32%), fat (18.72-26.51%), crude fibre (1.88-3.69%), carbohydrate (31.9-50.95%), energy value (445.95-475.45 kcal/100g), total dietary fibre (5.43-8.89%), and anti-nutrients (tannin: 0.40-0.73%, phytate: 1.13-1.37%, hydrogen cyanide: 2.68-3.06%, oxalate: 0.17-0.40%, saponin: 0.92-1.28%, trypsin inhibitor: 11.60-14.92%, flavonoid: 1.38-1.84%). Vitamin and mineral contents were significantly p<0.05 elevated with an increase in the proportion of toasted African breadfruit flour in the blends. The compositions of the product samples revealed values up to the recommended ratios for healthy diets. The sensory evaluation results revealed that the chewy snack bars produced had acceptable scores across all attributes, with sample TB5 (300g grits/100g flour/100g shredded coconut) receiving the highest overall acceptability score of 7.13. It is evident from the study that acceptable chewy snack bars of high nutritive value can be produced from toasted African breadfruit grits. This will increase the utilization of this locally grown crop, thereby contributing to the conservation of this valuable species.

Keywords: African breadfruit grits; chewy snack bar; nutritional properties; sensory properties; toasting.

 
 
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