Abstract
Quality changes of kola nut (Cola acuminata) as affected by processing methods and short-term storage environments were investigated. The experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Laboratory of the Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria. The treatments comprised of: three different colour plastic buckets – red, green, white and three inner linings - Newbouldia laevis leaves, Spondias mombin leaves and Black polyethylene sheets giving a 3 × 3 × 3 treatment combinations. The N. laevis, S. mombin and Black polyethylene sheets were laid inside the buckets as beddings for the kola nuts. About 0.45 kg of kola nuts (coated and uncoated) numbering 20 nuts were put in each storage container. Sensory quality of the nuts after storage was determined with quantitative descriptive analysis in expert panel, using six quality attributes. Physical parameters measured were; weight loss, pest incidence and sprouting incidence. Weight loss was significantly lower in white plastic storage container for coated kola nut while green plastic container reduced weight loss for uncoated. Black polyethylene sheet as inner-ling of the storage container significantly (P≤ 0.05) reduced weight loss and pest incidence in coated kola nut compared to uncoated. N. laevis and S. mombin significantly reduced weight loss in kola nuts. It is evident in this study that coated kola nut genotype were kept better than the uncoated kola nut. Key words: Processing methods, kola nut, storage treatments, quality characteristics
Highlights
Kola nut is mostly produced in Africa and cultivated to a large degree in West Africa
Post-harvest losses arising from the rural processing and storage method of kola nut is a major problem limiting its availability at affordable prices all the year round in Evidence from this study showed that modified atmosphere storage of kola nut using botanical leaves, significantly enhanced the postharvest and culinary qualities of the nuts when compared with the polyethylene
Nut weight loss and rate of skin changes were higher in polyethylene sheet sample than in those nuts stored inside S. mombin or N. leavis
Summary
Kola nut (sterculiaceae) is mostly produced in Africa and cultivated to a large degree in West Africa. Annual production from these countries alone is in excess of. 250,000 tons, while the world production is about. There are three species of kola which are mostly grown in Nigeria. These are Cola nitida, Cola acuminata and. C. nitida, which is referred to as” true kola of commerce” has featured in the internal trade of. West Africa for a number of centuries.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
