Nutritional, Phytochemical and Sensory Evaluation of “Mberiagworagwo” Traditional Food of Uruagunnewi People in Anambra State, Nigeria
Amadi Benjamin
Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria
Duru Majesty *
Department of Chemical Sciences, Biochemistry Unit, Rhema University, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria
Agomuo Emmanuel
Department of Biochemistry, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
Amadi Peter
Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria
Onedibe Ozioma
Department of Chemical Sciences, Biochemistry Unit, Rhema University, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Nutritional, phytochemical and sensory evaluation of “Mberiagworagwo” traditional food of Uruagunnewi people in Anambra State, Nigeria was investigated using standard methods. Available carbohydrates (79.60± 0.13%), crude fat (12.77±0.64%), crude protein (9.80±0.16%), total free fatty acid (12.81±0.16%) and total vitamins (22.39± 2.04%) were among the nutrients found in the studied food sample. Phytochemicals such as saponins, flavonoids, and tannins were discovered in the food. “Mberiagworagwo” had improved sensory evaluation attribute in terms of aroma, taste, texture (mouth feel) and colour when compared to other traditional foods. The overall acceptability of the traditional food could be compared to those of other traditional foods. The presence of nutrients and phytochemicals in “Mberiagworagwo” could be indication that the food maybe beneficial to the body on consumption. This study has shown the nutritional, phytochemical and sensory evaluation of “Mberiagworagwo” traditional food of Uruagunnewi people in Anambra State, Nigeria.
Keywords: Nutrient, Mberiagworagwo, phytochemicals, sensory evaluation, Uruagunnewi