Abstract: Fresh fruits are essential components of the human diet and there is considerable evidence of the health and nutritional benefits associated with the consumption of fresh fruits. However, during processing contamination from raw materials, equipment or food handlers could be easily transferred to the final product of fruit juices resulting food-borne illnesses. Therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate the microbiological safety of avocado, mango and papaya fruit juices a...
Abstract: Apples are the natural source of dietary mineral salts, vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, organic acids and sugars. Reduction of post-harvest losses and quality deterioration are essential in increasing food availability from the existing production. Minimizing this loss has a great significance for food security, economic growth and welfare of the society. This study was planned to investigate the role of asprin (acetylsalicylic acid) treatment in improving post harvest quality, shel...
Abstract: Aloe vera gel has been proven to be one of the best edible and biologically safe preservative coatings for different types of foods because of its film-forming properties, antimicrobial actions, biodegradability and biochemical properties. This study was planned to investigate the role of aloe gel coating in improving post harvest quality, shelf life, sugar and antioxidant (carotenoid) content of avocado fruit. The experiment was laid in completely randomized design (CRD) in two re...
Abstract: Banana peel is a good source of natural antioxidants and functional foods against cancer and heart diseases. The banana peel is nutritional and rich in phytochemical compounds than its pulp. Characterization of the physicochemical; antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of oil extracted from unripe green and yellow ripen banana fruit peels and pulps and appraisal of its viability is the main purpose of this study. In this work, In this work,In this work,In this work, In this work...
Abstract: Carica papaya (L.) is a monoecious, dioecious or hermaphrodite tree; it belongs to the family Caricaceae. It is widely cultivated throughout the world and is used as food and traditional medicine, particularly as an antiseptic and contraceptive. Papaya contains many biologically active compounds. Fruits, leaves, latex and stems are used to treat indigestion, diarrhoea, stoppage of urination, blindness and alopecia. The aim of this work was to assess the physicochemical properties, ...
Abstract: Disgust and neophobia elicited by whole insect products, has necessitated the need to mask insect-based food products. The physico-chemical parameters, sensory acceptance, and willingness to pay (WTP) for wheat biscuits supplemented with cricket powder was evaluated. The biscuits’ color intensity correlated with the cricket inclusion levels. Spread ration of cricket-enriched-biscuits increased (1.0–1.2-folds), while the hardness and fracturability decreased (1.0–1.3-folds and...
Abstract: Edible insects reared under suitable climatic conditions are an efficient and ecological food source. However, most of the insects come from wild collection and not from farms (FAO, 2013). To establish insects as part of a sustainable food environment, collectors, farmers or small entrepreneurs need to be transformed into mini-livestock farmers, but people who eat or collect insects do not necessarily want to rear them. This paper presents four case studies from Kenya, Madagascar, ...
Abstract: This study aimed to provide information on the nutrients of the edible larval stage of Gonimbrasia cocaulti (GC) for the first time, while exploring the potential nutrient content of the pupal life stages of the domestic silkworm (Bombyx mori; BM) and the Eri silkworm (Samia Cynthia ricini; SC). The three insects were analyzed for fatty acids, minerals, proximate composition and vitamins. Among the fatty acids, linoleic, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, was approximately threefold hig...
Abstract: Currently, no data exist on the utilization of the newly described cricket species (Scapsipedus icipe) meal as additive in food products, though they have high protein (57%) with 88% total digestibility as well as a variety of essential amino acids. This article presents the first report on the effects of processing techniques and the inclusion of cricket meal (CM) on the nutrient and antinutrient properties of four porridge products compared to a popularly consumed commercial porr...
Abstract: Globally, there is growing interest to integrate cricket-based ingredients (flour) into food products to combat food and nutrition insecurity. However, there is lack of information on in-depth nutrient profile of the two cricket species (Scapsipedus icipe and Gryllus bimaculatus), which are the most widely consumed in Africa. Here we determined the nutrient composition of two cricket species and compared them with published records of key animal and plant sources. Our results revea...
Abstract: The acceptance of eco-friendly black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) as sustainable alternative protein ingredient in poultry feeds continues to gain momentum worldwide. This study evaluates the impact of BSFLM in layer chick and grower diets on the growth, carcass quality and economic returns. Mean weekly weight gain and total live weight per chick and grower varied significantly. The highest final weight gain was achieved when birds were provided diet with 25.6% BSFLM. Average da...
Abstract: Wheat bread is among stable foods that are nutritionally imbalanced, thus enrichment is crucial. We evaluated the nutritional impact of high-valued wheat bread enriched with varying levels of meat powder from hen fed diet with insect (Hermetia illucens)-based meal. Crude protein and ash in bread increased with increasing inclusion of meat powder. Limiting amino acids like lysine and threonine in enriched bread products increased by 3.0–4.5 and 1.8–3.1-folds, respectively. Omega...
Abstract: Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are extensively cultivated in sub-Saharan Africa as a cheap source of proteins, starch, dietary fiber, and excellent mineral salts and vitamins. However,beans are lost due to poor post-harvest handling and storage practices that provide insufficient protection against storage insect pests. Therefore, farmers are forced to apply insecticides more than once in a storage period to achieve protection. Excessive use of chemicals is not safe for healt...
This study assessed the storage practices of five licensed buying companies (LBC) and pests which affected the quality of stored cocoa beans in the study area. The study comprised of field survey using questionnaires. Samples of stored cocoa beans were collected for periods of 0, 2 and 4 weeks of storage. Laboratory experiments were done to check physical quality characteristics using the cut test method, insect damage, purpleness and weight loss. Insects present in beans were checked u...
In recent times, the concerns of the government of Ghana have been on the need to increase the share of locally processed cocoa by 50%. To this end, there has been efforts through campaign by Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to whip up interest amongst Ghanaians to cultivate the habit of cocoa consumption to sustain the sector which continues to export huge raw cocoa beans with minimal value addition. The concerns are whether or not cocoa consumption by farmers has the potential to contribute to t...