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Summary: In this study, the effect of different levels (1%–5%) of whole and defatted Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) on the nutritional composition, physicochemical properties, protein digestibility and consumer acceptability of sorghum mahewu was investigated. The MOLP was boiled and added to the fermented sorghum mahewu. The results demonstrated that sorghum mahewu enriched with whole and defatted MOLP had higher amounts (P < 0.05) of protein, ash and fibre content compared to the control sample. Moreover, minerals, amino acid contents and protein digestibility of the enriched sorghum mahewu samples were significantly improved compared to the control sample. The pH decreased with an increasing proportion of MOLP ranging from 4.36 to 4.09 (mahewu enriched with whole MOLP) and from 4.36 to 4.17 (mahewu enriched with defatted MOLP). Sorghum mahewu samples enriched with whole and defatted MOLP had higher contents of total titratable acid compared to the control sample, while the total soluble solids and viscosity decreased. In terms of colour profile, the b*, and chroma values of sorghum mahewu increased with an increasing percentage of whole and defatted MOLP while L* and a* values decreased. Regarding overall liking, sorghum mahewu enriched with 1% whole and defatted MOLP did not differ (P > 0.05) from the control sample. Therefore, sorghum mahewu must be enriched with low percentages of MOLP to improve its acceptance among consumers. These findings suggest that incorporating medicinal plants such as boiled MOLP to basic foods produced from sorghum flour could improve their nutritional profile and protein digestibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meat is a highly nutritious food rich in protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Nevertheless, chemical reactions and microorganisms might affect the quality of nutritional constituent of meat products. This study investigated the influence of adding Moringa oleifera leaves powder (MOLP) on the nutritional, technological properties, and consumer acceptability of mutton patties. Four treatments of mutton patties with 0, 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9% of MOLP were produced. The prepared patties (raw and cooked) were evaluated for quality attributes such as proximate composition, total phenolic content (TPC), cooking properties (cooking yield and cooking loss), physical characteristics (colour and water holding capacity [WHC]), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), pH value, and sensory quality. The incorporation of MOLP into the mutton patties significantly increased (p < 0.05) protein, fat, ash contents, TPC, pH, WHC, and cooking yield. However, moisture content, TBARS, and colour decreased. Most sensory likability scores of patty samples with up to 0.3% of MOLP were comparable to those of the control sample. Evidently, the inclusion of 0.3% of MOLP produces mutton patties with high sensory desirability.

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn.) is a gluten‐free crop with a high amount of fiber, calcium and iron, outstanding malting qualities and a low glycemic index. The study aimed to determine the physicochemical, functional, antioxidant and microstructural properties of malted finger millet (light and dark brown) flours. The two varieties of finger millet grains were germinated for 0, 24, 48 and 72 h and kilned for 8 h. The lightness (L*) values of malted finger millet flours significantly increased, with light brown having the highest L* value of 76.62. The hue angle and total color differences (ΔE) of the malted finger millet flours increased significantly (p ≤.05.), and values ranged from 63.43° to 71.20° (light brown) and 2.12° to 4.32° (dark brown), respectively. The moisture, ash, fiber, protein, total phenolic, total flavonoids contents and DPPH activity of both malted finger millet flours significantly increased. On the contrary, the fat, carbohydrate, energy contents and FRAP activity significantly decreased with each malting period of both finger millet flours. Both malted finger millet flours' solubility index, water and oil absorption capacity increased significantly while the packed and loose bulk density decreased. Malting had no significant effect on the viscosity of the cold paste; however, a significant decrease in the viscosity of the cooked paste in both finger millet flours was observed, with values ranging from 285 to 424.00 cP (light brown) and 271.33 to 418.00 cP (dark brown), respectively. Malting resulted in changes in the thermal properties of finger millet flours with an increase in the onset, peak and conclusion temperatures. Fourier‐Transform Infrared Spectra showed that malting slightly changed the peaks of both finger millet flours. Scanning electron microscopy showed that malting altered the microstructural characteristics of finger millet flours. The results showed that malted finger millet flours are promising raw materials for gluten‐free bakery products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean) is an African legume that belongs to the family and subfamily of Fabaceae and Faboidea, respectively. It is becoming one of the most utilized legumes after being underutilized for many years in Africa. It is the third most significant legume after groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) and cowpea (Vigna hypogea). Bambara groundnut (BGN) is a complete food because of its richness in nutritional properties such as crude fiber, iron, protein, carbohydrate, fat and minerals. Moreover, BGN possesses antioxidants properties as it contains phytochemicals, such as tannins, flavonoids and phytic acids which possess health benefits for humans such as preventing diabetes, stroke, atherosclerosis, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, these phytochemicals extend the shelf life of food products and have antimicrobial properties which can inhibit microbial growth. This paper highlights the current findings on BGN nutritional composition, health benefits, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Therefore, it is advisable for food industry to exploit BGN grain to its full potential to tackle challenges of food security and nutrition globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]