Quality Evaluation of Plantain Chips Sold in Makurdi Metropolis
IKYA, J.K.1*, ABAH, J.O.1 AND HAMID, A.F.2
1Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
2Adamawa State College of Agriculture Mayo Belwa, Adamawa State, Nigeria.
E-mail: aveyina2012@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
In this study, plantain chips sold in three selected locations (High Level, Wurukum and North Bank) in Makurdi metropolis were purchased and subjected to proximate composition, microbiological and nutritional quality analyses. Results obtained showed that; the proximate composition (on dry weight bases) ranged as follows: 5.76 – 6.25%, 3.20 – 5.08%, 0.44 – 0.52%, 2.23 – 2.38%, 85.85 – 88.36% and 405.28 – 414.12 Kcal for protein, fat, fibre, ash, carbohydrate and energy respectively. The mean microbial counts (CFU/g) for the samples of plantain chips purchased showed that they were all contaminated but safe for consumption. The values ranged from 1.71 × 104 – 3.60 × 104, 3.80 × 103 – 1.82 × 104 and 3.20 × 104 – 1.48 × 105 for total aerobic bacterial, coliform and fungal counts respectively. The result of nutritional quality evaluation indicated that casein (control) supported more gain in weight (5.42 g) of rats after 14 days of the feeding trial period than the test diets containing plantain chips (1.10 g, 1.25 g, and 1.15 g for High Level, Wurukum and North Bank respectively). The nutritional values of test diets especially in terms of PER (0.58, 0.65, and 0.51) and TND (98.95, 99.48 and 98.67) compared favourably to that of casein (control), with PER and TND of 0.69 and 99.87 respectively. No marked variation was observed in the overall quality of samples obtained from the different locations. Plantain chips sold in Makurdi metropolis was found to be of good quality and should be consumed as a nutritious and healthy snack.