Nutritional properties of fufu analog produced from co‐processing of cassava and cocoyam were studied. Cassava and cocoyam were fermented for 72 h, dried to obtain fufu flour. Proximate, functional, minerals, antinutritional factor, pasting properties, and sensory evaluation of various samples were determined. The results revealed that the moisture contents of the samples showed significant difference from control with values between 6.50 and 7.30%. The protein contents (1.68–4.98%), ash (1.84–4.01%), and crude fiber (1.42–4.56%) showed significant increase with increasing level of cocoyam, while the crude fat and carbohydrate reduced with increase in cocoyam. The minerals also increased with increase in cocoyam level with sample E having the highest value of Magnesium (32.15 mg/100 g). The antinutritional factors were very low and the pasting properties revealed the importance of cocoyam in the fufu analog produced. In conclusion, fufu produced from co‐processing of cassava and cocoyam has more nutritional qualities than the common fufu made from cassava alone.

Effect of blanching time in hot water (0, 5, 10 and 15 min) was carried out on six green leafy vegetables popularly consumed in Nigeria namely; Cnidoscolus asconitifolius, Talinum triangular, Celosia argentea, Amaranthus hybridus, Vernomia anygdalina, and Telfaria occidentalis. The dry matter, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and mineral content of the green leafy vegetables were analyzed. Blanching at temperature of 90°C and different times decreased the dry matter content of the vegetables; 5 min blanching significantly (p > 0.05) increased the total phenolic (280.6 – 980.6 mgGAE/100 g db) and antioxidant activity (25.1 – 95.1 mg/100 g Trolox equivalent) in all the vegetables. However, further increase in the blanching time caused a significant reduction in total phenolic content, antioxidant activities and mineral content of all the vegetables. With these results, it could be concluded that blanching time for these vegetables should range between 1 to 5 min to prevent the loss of health benefiting compound present in them.

The main objective of the research is to develop a recipe of instant dry soup mix for easy preparation of ogbono soup. Instant ogbono mix powder was processed using common locally ingredients. Dika kernel powder, dried ugwu leaf, crayfish, stock fish, and a mixture of locust bean, onion, seasoning and Cameroon powder were formulated at different ratios to find the best acceptable ogbono mix powder. The samples were subjected to proximate, functional, vitamin, mineral, and sensory analyses. The formulated sample D with the highest ratio of crayfish and stock fish had the highest value of protein and carbohydrate (24.13 and 35.61%, respectively). The control sample (100% dika kernel powder) was low in moisture content (6.20%) but high in crude fat, other samples followed in this order (control > A > B > C > D) for crude fat. Ash, crude fiber, and carbohydrate showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) in all the samples. The functional properties of the sample showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) in all the samples with the control having the highest value for the water absorption, swelling capacity, and bulk density which may be due to the high crude fiber and low moisture content recorded for the control sample in the proximate analysis. The mineral content of all the samples were higher than the control with phosphorous having the highest value and iron the least value. Vitamin C was the main dominating vitamin in the sample followed by vitamin B₂, vitamin A, and vitamin B_3. The sensory evaluation revealed that 100% dika kernel powder gave a good attribute of the soup but with less nutritional composition, while some formulated samples showed a similar attribute with higher nutritional value. Sample A with the highest overall acceptability had the best attribute of ogbono soup. Instant ogbono mix powder has higher nutritional value and easy to cook.