Proximate Quantification and Sensory Assessment of Moi-Moi Prepared from Bambara Nut and Cowpea Flour Blends

Background: Moi-moi is a popularly relished snack in Nigeria prepared from cowpea which is deficient in essential sulphur containing amino acids but rich in lysine and some vitamins. Bambara nut is rich in essential amino acids, fiber, calcium, iron, carotene, oil, carbohydrate, protein and energy than cowpea.

Aim: This study aimed at investigating the complementary effects of bambara nut and cowpea flour blends on the nutrient and acceptability of moi-moi.

Study Design: To fit a one way Analysis of Variance.

Place and Duration of Study: At Umuahia, Abia State Nigeria between March and June, 2018.

Methodology: Cleaned and sorted bambara nut was cracked, winnowed, milled and sieved while cowpea seeds were steeped in tap water for two hours, hand dehulled, oven dried at 60°C, milled and sieved separately. Their flour blends were mixed according to bambara: cowpea ratios of 100:0 (sample A), 75:25% (sample B), 50:50% (sample C), 25:75% (sample D) and 0: 100% (sample E) and used to prepare moi-moi. Same quantities of seasonings were added per 100 g of each blend and mixed into a homogenous paste texture. The seasonings used were 10 ml of Life vegetable oil, 5 g of ground crayfish, 5 g of onion, 5 g of tomato, 2 g of salt, 2 g of pepper and 8.03 g of magi. Each paste ratio was then wrapped in “Etere” leaf and steamed separately in covered pots for 50 minute using a gas cooker. Cooled moi-moi samples were subjected to proximate analyses, energy value calculations and sensory evaluation.

Results: Results showed increase in nutrients with increase in cowpea flour inclusion except in carbohydrate which decreased from 31.95 to 16.35%. Protein values increased from 10.40% to 13.50%, fat from 3.90 to 6.40%, fiber from 1.25 to 2.00%, ash from 1.30 to 2.15%, moisture from 51.20 to 59.69%. Energy values decreased with increase in cowpea inclusion from 726.45 to 839.49 kj/100 g. Sensory evaluation showed that 100% bambara nut moi-moi were most preferred by the panelists followed by 25% bambara nut: 75% cowpea flour blend, while 50% bambara nut: 50% cowpea flour blend was least preferred.

Conclusion: Nutrients increased with increase in cowpea flour. Bambara flour substitution should not be more than 25%.