Abstract
Baobab fruit pulp is grossly underutilised and thus this research aims at increasing the utilization of the fruit pulp which contains very high minerals and vitamins. The growing incidences of malnutrition especially in a developing country like Nigeria are quite alarming. Researchers are now being directed to exploring new and non-conventional sources of food such as baobab that is grown in the arid and semiarid regions of the world. All parts of the baobab tree are absolutely useful and can either be use as food, beverages or ingredient, Baobab leaves can provide about 13-15% protein 60-70% carbohydrate, 4-10% fat, 11% fibre, 16% Ash and the energy value varies between 1180-1900 KJ/100 g on dry wet basis. The baobab fruit pulp is an excellent source of minerals and vitamins. It contain about 240 mg/100 g of potassium, 295 mg/100 g of calcium and 190 mg/100 g of Magnesium. Similarly, it contains, about 236 mg/100 g of Vitamin C and 80 mg/100 mL of Vitamin A. Due to the high protein content, low fat content and high value of metabolize able energy baobab fruit pulp or leaves are excellent source of food to be used to curb the ugly high trend of malnutrition in developing country like Nigeria.
Highlights
There is increasing demand for protein, energy and micronutrients to support the growing world population
The European Commission has recently authorized the import of baobab fruit pulp as a novel food and the leaves are consumed by most people in West African region through the year (Buchmann et al, 2012)
Moisture content of the yoghurtlike samples ranged between 83.73-90.76% depending on the proportion of milk emulsion to baobab fruit pulp solution and most of them fell within the range of most commercial yoghurt (80-85%)
Summary
There is increasing demand for protein, energy and micronutrients to support the growing world population. Baobab (Adansonia digitata) which belongs to the family “Bombacaceae” is indigenous to arid regions Magdi (2004). It is a massive, majestic tree up to 25 m high and spends only (4) months of the year in leaf and (8) months leafless. The European Commission has recently authorized the import of baobab fruit pulp as a novel food and the leaves are consumed by most people in West African region through the year (Buchmann et al, 2012).
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