Abstract
Foods frequently eaten supply both micro and macro nutrients to humans which are important in the total assessment of public health status of an individual. The analysis of these foods will provide evidence on their nutritional values, guide to appropriate choice of meal and encourage intake of varieties of food with better qualities during illness while preventing diet-associated disorders. In this study, the proximate and mineral composition of unripe, naturally ripe and the effects of ripening agents on plantain (Musa paradisiaca) commonly consumed in Nigeria were examined. The plantain fruits were analysed for proximate and mineral composition. Proximate composition analysis revealed an increase in moisture content and fat content for all the plantain ripened with ripening agents when compared with the naturally ripened plantain. Furthermore, the mineral composition of the plantain fruits was determined by means of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The result showed that plantain is a good source of minerals such as calcium (Ca), potassium (K) and iron (Fe). A relatively high level of K of 1690.55 ± 0.02; 1672.35 ± 0.03 mg kg−1 were found for both unripe and natural ripe plantain while the ripening agents had K values of 1677.45 ± 0.01; 1656.10 ± 0.02; 1589.45 ± 0.01 mg kg−1 for Ethylene glycol, Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate, Calcium carbide respectively. Also, low level of Fe was obtained in plantain ripened with the different ripening agents.
Highlights
Plantain (Musa paradisiaca) is one of the fruit crops that are of high importance to people of Nigeria
The moisture content of foods or its processed products gives an indication of its freshness and potential shelf life
Reduction in moisture content may be majorly due to water loss through transpiration process, while some weight loss could be due to loss of carbon in respiration process (Liu, 2003; Onwuka and Onwuka, 2005; Maduwanthi and Marapana, 2019)
Summary
Plantain (Musa paradisiaca) is one of the fruit crops that are of high importance to people of Nigeria. It serves as food for human beings; while the peels serve as feed for animals (Adeyemi et al, 2018). Ripe and unripe plantain contains substantial amount of essential nutrients in a high proportion, antioxidants and other biologically active substances that makes them effective in treatment of a number of diseases (Habauzit and Horcajada, 2008; Tucker, 2009; Park et al, 2011; Maduwanthi and Marapana, 2019) as well as prevention of some diseases (e.g. goiter) and keeps the consumer energetic throughout his life (Zahir et al, 2009). High potassium content found in plantain made it useful in the prevention of High blood pressure and muscle cramp (Ng and Fong, 2000)
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