While shellfish species are widely consumed due to their nutritional advantages, they are also among the top eight food items for food-borne allergies. Five distinct thermal processing techniques were applied to the crustacean to investigate the tropomyosin level variations caused by heat processing. Fresh shrimp and prawns were utilized as controls for the determination of allergen-encoding genes. Prior to molecular analysis, the proximate composition and acidity of raw and processed samples were also performed. The yield and purity of DNA were also determined. Melting curve and gel electrophoresis tests verified the existence of allergen-coding genes. Thermal processing procedures affected the proximate composition, particularly the total protein and fat concentrations, according to the findings. Following the heat treatment, the pH levels decreased, particularly in the grilled samples. There were also significant differences in the quantity and quality of the extracted DNA. Regardless of crustacean species, the tropomyosin-encoding gene was detected in both fried and grilled samples. These findings demonstrated that RT-PCR identification and validation of the crustacean allergy gene by gel electrophoresis might be a reliable approach for the thermally treated shrimp and prawn samples. This study shows that investigating the allergen coding gene might provide a viable way for detecting food-borne allergens in other thermally processed food items, which are becoming more concerned about food safety.

Fermented sausages are stable meat items typically prepared from comminuted mixtures of meat, spices, and salts and permitted to ripe under controlled conditions, where bacteria produce lactic acid quickly and reliably from added sugars in the form of dextrose. This study assessed the possibility of using fresh ripe plantain (FRP) in semi-dry fermented beef sausages. FRP was used at 0% (T0), 5% (T1) and 10% (T2). A fourth treatment with 0.5% dextrose without any FRP (T3) was produced. The products were evaluated for proximate compositions, pH, cooking loss as well as sensory attributes. No significant differences existed between T0, T1, T2 and T3 in terms of appearance, flavor, aftertaste and texture, however significant differences were recorded in tenderness, juiciness and acceptability. Cooking loss and water holding capacity ranged between 31.83 (T0) to 36.53 (T3) and 4.40 (T3) to 14.74 (T2) respectively. The pH recorded after 36 hours of fermentation ranged from 4.20 (T3) to 5.36 (T0). Using FRP resulted in appreciable decreases in costs of producing semi-dry fermented beef sausages from 20.50 to 16.46 Ghana Cedis per kg. It was concluded that fermented beef sausages could be made with 5% fresh ripe plantain without any adverse effects on consumer acceptability.

Papaya (Carica papaya) is a common tropical fruit used for nutrition as well as medicinal purposes. Apart from fruit, seed, latex and other plant parts of papaya tree have been shown to have medicinal properties. Since, no systematic study has been performed on nutritional analysis of papaya (Carica papaya L. var solo 8) peels. In this study, the proximate composition, mineral element profile and phytochemical composition of papaya (Carica papaya L. var solo 8) peels were investigated. The peels were harvested fresh, dried in an oven at 45°C for 48 hours, ground and analyzed according to standard procedures. Proximate analysis showed high level of proteins (11.67 ± 0.04 %), crude fibre (32.51 ± 0.03 %), carbohydrate (47.33 ± 0.08 %), ash (5.98 ± 0.03 %) 0.03 %) and fat (2.51 ± 0.13 %). Mineral analysis indicated the papaya (Carica papaya L. var solo 8) peels were specifically rich in potassium and phosphorus. Potassium was found to be the most abundant mineral present in the peels (516.33 ± 0.82 mg/100g). Phytochemical composition showed high level of total phenolic (65.48 ± 0.39 mg (GAE)/100 g DW), flavonoids (5.58 ± 0.83 mg (QE)/100 g DW) and tannins (10.51 ± 0.93 mg (TAE)/100 g DW). The methanolic extracts of the papaya (Carica papaya L. var solo 8) peels exhibited the high DPPH radical scavenging activities (81.89 ± 0.14 %).These data indicated that this papaya (Carica papaya L. var solo 8) peels could constitute a potential good source of natural antioxidant for local population.

Breadnut is an indigenous fruit commonly found in Southeast Asia. The authors recognized the potential of breadnut as a food source; thus, the study was set out to determine the proximate composition and antioxidant activity of breadnut seed flour. The sample was found to contain 75% carbohydrates, 9.07% fat, and 6.16% protein. Moreover, the flour made from breadnut yielded a DPPH scavenging activity of 97.33%, an indication of high antioxidant capacity. The flour was blended with wheat flour to investigate its functional properties. It was observed that the 50:50 breadnut seed flour and wheat flour showed potential in terms of water absorption capacity, fat absorption capacity, emulsion capacity, and foaming ability. With the rising population and threat to food and nutrition security, alternative sources must be explored. This study illustrated the potential of breadnut as a source of energy and other nutrients. More so, its functional behavior as an alternative or at least composite to wheat flour.

Breadnut is an indigenous fruit commonly found in Southeast Asia. The authors recognized the potential of breadnut as a food source; thus, the study was set out to determine the proximate composition and antioxidant activity of breadnut seed flour. The sample was found to contain 75% carbohydrates, 9.07% fat, and 6.16% protein. Moreover, the flour made from breadnut yielded a DPPH scavenging activity of 97.33%, an indication of high antioxidant capacity. The flour was blended with wheat flour to investigate its functional properties. It was observed that the 50:50 breadnut seed flour and wheat flour showed potential in terms of water absorption capacity, fat absorption capacity, emulsion capacity, and foaming ability. With the rising population and threat to food and nutrition security, alternative sources must be explored. This study illustrated the potential of breadnut as a source of energy and other nutrients. More so, its functional behavior as an alternative or at least composite to wheat flour.

Studies were conducted to determine the proximate and anti-nutrient composition of full-fat and defatted seed flour of Telfairia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin) using standard procedures. The defatted seed flour (DSF) indicated higher protein content (46.55%) while the full-fat seed flour (FSF) presented a value of 10.20%. The lipid (35.78%), carbohydrate (42.27%), and caloric values (531.90 Kcal/100 g) obtained for FSF were respectively higher than values of similar determinations for DSF. The anti-nutritional analyses of the FSF showed slightly higher oxalate content (44.00 mg/100 g) while cyanide, phytate and tannin levels were higher in DSF. The vitamin A composition of FSF (9.18 mg/100 g) was higher than that of DSF (0.84 mg/100 g) while DSF indicated higher vitamin C (74.44 mg/100g) content. These results revealed that the seed flour of Telfairia occidentalis contains an appreciable amount of nutrients and vitamins. The levels of toxicants in both FSF and DSF samples were low and below toxic levels. The seed flour of Telfairia occidentalis can be exploited as a cheap and valuable source of vegetable protein in fortified food products formulation.

Some wild edible mushrooms of genus Russula are consumed in the center region of Côte d’Ivoire. In this study, the proximate composition, mineral element and amino acid profile of three selected wild edible Russula species from Center of Côte d’Ivoire including Russula delica, Russula lepida and Russula mustelina were investigated. The mushrooms were harvested fresh, dried in an oven at 45°C for 48 hours, ground and analyzed according to standard procedures. Proximate analysis showed high level of proteins (38.08±0.29–38.52±0.23 %), crude fibre (9.59±0.21–19.78±0.7 %), carbohydrate (39.29±1.71-41.64±1.41 %), ash (12.7±0.16– 13.80±0.10 %) and fat (4.06±0.11-5.70±0.05 %) in all species. Mineral analysis of all species indicated that the mushrooms were specifically rich in potassium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. R. delica contained the highest level of calcium and phosphorus. The mushrooms contained 18 amino acids among with the most predominant ones in all species were glutamic acid and valine. In addition, the ratios of essential amino acids to total amino acids were between 0.40 and 0.45. The high scores of essential amino acids present in these mushrooms implied that they have a high biological protein value. These mushrooms could be considered as a potential health food and may be of use to the food industry as a source of ingredients with high nutritional value.

This study was carried out to determine and compare the proximate composition and length weight relationship of C. gariepinus from two culture systems (earthen and concrete ponds). The fish samples were collected from three fish farms with same cultural condition in different areas of Obio-akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Result on the length- weight relationship revealed that C.gariepinus reared in concrete tank had a total length of 15.50- 49.00cm with a mean of 32.71cm and weight of 150-625g, while total length of C. gariepinus reared in the earthen pond ranged from 19.90-58.0cm with a mean of 39.8cm and weight of 195-825g. The T- test shows that the total length of earthen pond were significantly higher than the concrete tank and the weight in the earthen pond was significantly higher than the concrete tank. Parameters of proximate composition analysed were moisture, protein, lipid, carbohydrate, ash and fiber from the fish flesh. Protein content showed a significantly higher in the earthen ponds than the concrete tanks. Ash contents varied from 1.5±1.66-7.4±0.67% in the concrete tanks and were significantly higher than the earthen ponds which ranged from 3.1±0.94-4.5±2.11%. Lipid was significantly higher in earthen ponds than concrete tanks. Generally, the two culture systems have a significant influence on length–weight relationship and nutritional value of C. gariepinus. However, C. gariepinus reared in concrete tank had a heavier body weight than earthen pond and also C. gariepinus reared in earthen pond had highest nutritive values than the concrete tank.

Fish Platycephalus indicus usually are consumed by southern people in Iran. The present study assessed the effect of processing on proximate compositions in the fillets of P.indicus. The fish samples were prepared by boiling, baking and frying, while proximate analysis was done by standard methods. Boiling processing method significantly reduced ash content in the fillet whereas fat content was significantly increased in frying. Baking method recorded highest ash content of 10.64%. The highest protein concentration was obtained for boiled fillet (82.73%). Lipid content was recorded highest in fried fillet (17.27%). P. indicus was, rich in fat, protein, and ash, thus its consumption should be encouraged.