Determination of nutrients composition and protein quality of<i> itugha</i> using albino wister rats

Abstract

Background: Nutrition transition is root cause for neglect of traditional foods. Itugha is a traditional spread obtained from fermented irvingia gabonensis seeds

Objective: Aim of the study was to determine nutrients composition of itugha and evaluate its protein value using Albino Wister Rats

Methods: Itugha procured as consumed, from Agoi Ibami market, Agoi Ibami, Cross River State, Nigeria. Traditionally, itugha has a standardized preparation method. The AOAC methods were used for determination of nutrient composition. Thirty wistar rats (22-24 days old), weighing 45-55g procured from the animal house, Department of Biochemistry, University of Calabar, Nigeria were used for protein quality evaluation. Five groups of six rats each, housed in metabolic cages. Group 1 rats were fed casein diet, group 2 basal diet, group 3 Irvingia gabonensis seed diet, group 4 itugha diet and group 5, 10% level itugha diet. Animals were fed for 10 days, water given ad libitum. Record for food consumption, faeces and weight gain was made daily for the last 7 days of experiment.

Result: About 47g dry matter (DM) itugha gave weight gain of 5.10g, contained 18.99 % protein, 12 trace essential minerals and manganese was most abundant 0.55 mg/100g DM. Most abundant vitamin was ascorbic acid (0.022 mg/100g). Itugha had Protein efficiency ratio (1.60), net protein utilization (88.50), true digestibility (96.60) and biological value (91.70). The performance parameters were significant at P<0.05.

Conclusion: Itugha supported growth and abundant essential minerals, ascorbic acid positions it for use in infant formulae formulation.

Key words: Food value, Irvingia gabonensis product.