Effect of Incorporating Free or Encapsulated Ascorbic Acid in Chicken Frankfurters on Physicochemical and Sensory Stability

Sodium erythorbate, antioxidant and curing accelerator, used in meat products, have no vitamin functionality. Ascorbic acid （AA）, in contrast, is a powerful antioxidant, but very unstable. The application of encapsulated AA in frankfurters could allow the incorporation of an antioxidant with vitamin functionality and improved stability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the application ofAA microcapsules in frankfurters and the effects of their application on the product. Different analyses were conducted. The values obtained for mass loss, moisture content, water activity, pH and instrumental color were not significantly different among the treatments. The frankfurters containing the microcapsutes exhibited the lowest hardness value （approximately 5,000 g）, resulting in better scores in the sensory analysis. It was possible to apply the AA microcapsules without compromising the oxidative stability and physicochemical characteristics of the product, providing a promising method for protecting AA and producing fortified frankfurters.

Effect of Plant Ash on Nutrient Quality and Antioxidant Activity of African Yam Bean Seed Porridge in Relation to Cooking Time

The present study aimed to investigate the nutrient quality, antioxidant activity and sensory acceptability of hard-to-cook African yam bean (AYB) seeds cooked for 5 h (control) and for 2 h with plant ash. The plant ash were unripe plantain peel ash (UPA), corn cob ash (CCA) and UPA and CCA mixture. Standard methods of Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) were used for the proximate and mineral analysis, DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays were used to investigate the antioxidant activity. A completely randomized design with one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for data analysis. The results showed that cooking of AYB seeds for 2 h with 8 g/100mL plant ash solution improved the nutrient contents, antioxidant activity and sensory scores of the porridge. Higher values of proteins, ash and energy were obtained in 8 g/100mL UPA/CCA and in 8 g/100mL CCA additives. However, moisture, fat and fibre contents were not affected by plant ash additives and were higher in 5 h cooked porridge. Cooking with 8 g/100mL plant ash solution for 2 h significantly increased mineral elements in the porridge. Phenolic compounds (total polyphenols and flavonoids), and antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP) showed higher values with plant ash additives. This study reveals that addition of plant ash did not only reduce the cooking time of AYB seed by 60%, but also improved the nutrient quality, antioxidant activity and sensory acceptability.

Effects of the substitution of cow’s milk with soymilk on the micronutrients,microbial,and sensory qualities of yoghurt

The consumption of imported dairy products is high especially in developing countries including Nigeria where little or no milk is produced locally which makes the products expensive,out of reach to common consumers and also inconvenient for lactose intolerance and vegans.Soymilk,as plant-based milk was substituted for cow’s milk in parts and in whole for the production of yoghurt and the effect of substitution was evaluated on the minerals,vitamins,microbial,and sensory properties of the products using the established methods.Significant differences(p<0.05)exits among the yoghurt samples in the micronutrient contents.The soymilk substitution produced yoghurts with trace/macro mineral contents’range of 0.14–28.50 mg/100 g and vitamin contents(ranged 0.02–0.43 mg/100 g)that were of comparable range of values with the yoghurt made with 100%cow’s milk(0.21–29.60 mg/100 g minerals and 0.05–0.58 mg/100 g vitamins).Generally,no significant difference(p<0.05)was observed in most of the sensory attributes evaluated(range 8.00–8.01)in the entire samples(except in the 100%soymilk yoghurt).The microbial analysis proved the safety of the entire products for consumption.These showed the positive effect of substituting soymilk for cow’s milk at all the levels used,thus,the lactose intolerance and vegans can find alternative to dairy yoghurt in the 100%soymilk substitution and enjoy the functional health benefits of yoghurt.Also,the total dependence on importation of dairy milk and cost of production of composited milk yoghurt could be reduced to improve the nation’s economy and make the product economically accessible to common man.