Chemical and sensory qualities of moimoi and akara produced from blends of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and Moringa oleifera seed flour

Abstract

The possible combination of cowpea with moringa seed flour for the production of nutrient dense moimoi (steamed cowpea paste) and akara (deep-fat fried balls) were investigated. Composite blends of cowpea and moringa seed flour in different proportions (98:2, 96:4 and 94:6) were used in moimoi and akara production while 100% cowpea flour served as control. The proximate and sensory analyses of the products were determined using standard methods. The results showed a positive influence in the proximate compositions of these products as the proportion of moringa seed flour substitution increased. The moimoi samples ranged between 10.77 – 26.92%, 18.27 – 21.16%, 8.12 – 10.72%, 1.80 – 2.19%, 0.76 – 0.84%, 44.07 – 53.99% and 269.87 – 335.18 Kcal/100g while akara samples ranged between 9.73 – 10.77%, 19.51 – 22.12%, 7.41 – 9.90%, 2.39 – 2.71%, 0.87 – 0.93%, 54.69 – 59.00% and 320.26 – 332.08 Kcal/100g respectively for moisture contents, protein contents, crude fats, ash, crude fibers, carbohydrates and energy values. The sensory evaluation results of these products favourably competed with the control except samples D (94:6) which showed a slight difference in all parameters tested. Thus, the substitution of cowpea with moringa seed flour up to 2% and 4% proportions are adequate to produce acceptable moimoi and akara, respectively.The possible combination of cowpea with moringa seed flour for the production of nutrient dense moimoi (steamed cowpea paste) and akara (deep-fat fried balls) were investigated. Composite blends of cowpea and moringa seed flour in different proportions (98:2, 96:4 and 94:6) were used in moimoi and akara production while 100% cowpea flour served as control. The proximate and sensory analyses of the products were determined using standard methods. The results showed a positive influence in the proximate compositions of these products as the proportion of moringa seed flour substitution increased. The moimoi samples ranged between 10.77 – 26.92%, 18.27 – 21.16%, 8.12 – 10.72%, 1.80 – 2.19%, 0.76 – 0.84%, 44.07 – 53.99% and 269.87 – 335.18 Kcal/100g while akara samples ranged between 9.73 – 10.77%, 19.51 – 22.12%, 7.41 – 9.90%, 2.39 – 2.71%, 0.87 – 0.93%, 54.69 – 59.00% and 320.26 – 332.08 Kcal/100g respectively for moisture contents, protein contents, crude fats, ash, crude fibers, carbohydrates and energy values. The sensory evaluation results of these products favourably competed with the control except samples D (94:6) which showed a slight difference in all parameters tested. Thus, the substitution of cowpea with moringa seed flour up to 2% and 4% proportions are adequate to produce acceptable moimoi and akara, respectively. Keywords: Moimoi, Akara, Cowpea flour, Moringa oleifera seed flour and Sensory properties: Moimoi, Akara, Cowpea flour, Moringa oleifera seed flour and Sensory properties