Effects of fermentation and cowpea fortification on the quality characteristics of maize-based nixtamalized foods

Effects of fermentation and cowpea fortification on the quality characteristics of maize-based nixtamalized foods

SK SEFA-DEDEH, S Asare, EO Sakyi-Dawson, EO Afoakwa

A 3 x 2 x 2 factorial experiment with fermentation time (0, 24, 48 hours), cowpea (0 and 15%) and alkaline treatment (nixtamalized and non-nixtamalized corn) was used. The blends were dried using a cabinet drier, milled into flour and spices added and processed into a snack food. Samples were analysed for moisture, fat acidity, water absorption and swelling capacity. The cylinder probe test cell was used in a TA-XT2 Texture Analyzer to measure the hardness of processed snack foods. Sensory analysis was conducted to determine the overall acceptability of the snack products.
Fermentation and cowpea levels showed no significant effect (p< 0.05) on the moisture contents of the products. Cowpea addition caused decreases in the water absorption capacities from 192.23 to 117.15% in the unfermented nixtamalized sample whereas general increases were observed in the non-nixtamalized products. Similar observations were made for the swelling capacities of the products. No significant variations were observed in the fat acidity levels of the nixtamalized products with fermentation time and cowpea fortification. The texture (hardness) of the formulated products was acceptable. Sensory evaluation indicated that the presence of cowpea and fermentation in the products did not influence their acceptability by the panel.

2002

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English