Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences
Open Access

Abstract

Nutritional Composition and Sensory Qualities of Cocoyam-Based Recipes Enriched with Cowpea Flour

Olayiwola IO, Folaranmi F, Adebowale A, Onabanjo OO, Sanni SA and Afolabi WAO

The study was conducted to improve cocoyam-based recipes ebiripo, ikokore, and ojojo using different blends of cocoyam Colocasia esculenta and cowpea Vigna unguiculata flour in the ratio of 100:0, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, and 50:50. The proximate mineral composition and sensory qualities of the products were determined using standard analytical procedures. The data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance, and means were separated using Duncan’s multiple range test. The results showed that the developed recipes had significantly p<0.05 higher contents of protein, fat, crude fibre, iron, zinc, sodium, and phosphorus compared with the control recipes 100% cocoyam flour. The protein content was highest in all recipes containing 50:50 cocoyams: cowpea flour ojojo 10.79%, ikokore 10.56%, and ebiripo 10.36%. However, 100 g ikokore had higher iron 2.5 mg, phosphorus 92.5 mg, and zinc 1.92 mg contents than ebiripo and ojojo at 50:50 cocoyam:cowpea flour ratios. The sensory evaluation showed that the 80:20 recipe for ebiripo had significantly p<0.05 higher flavour and overall acceptability scores compared with other
recipes. Ikokore substituted with cowpea flour at 20–40% levels was scored higher for colour, flavour, consistency, taste, and overall acceptability among the blends. The samples of ojojo were not significantly different p>0.05 in sensory qualities. It is concluded that the enrichment of cocoyam-based recipes ojojo, ikokore, and ebiripo with cowpea flour improved the protein, crude fibre, mineral composition, and the acceptability of the foods.