Asian Journal of Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

This study was carried out to determine the Rheology and acceptance of            Pap (Zea mays) enriched with Jatropha carcus leaves to improve iron status in Children. The blends of pap slurry and Jatropha curcas leaves was made at substitution level of 70:30 respectively. However, the sample formulation was coded as sample A for 100% pap, B for 100% Jatropha curcas leaves and sample C for 70% pap and 30% Jatropha curcas leaves. Sensory evaluation was conducted on the gruel made from the samples to test acceptability.  All samples were subjected to laboratory analysis for proximate, mineral, anti-nutrients, viscocity and functional properties using standard method and thereafter, the results obtained were further subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS. The result showed that the proximate composition of the samples ranged from 11.82 to 43.31% for moisture, fibre 2.71 to 10.20%, protein 3.24 to 6.28%, carbohydrate 41.61 to 61.55% and energy 250.10 to 401.50 kcal. The minerals were also ranged from 4.62 to 10.04 mg/100 g for iron, magnesium 62.55 to 112.01 mg/100 g, zinc 0.03 to 0.67 mg/100 g and calcium 44.21 to 110.28 mg/100 g. The anti-nutrients were found to be tannin 0.03 to 2.67 mg/100 g, phytate 0.34 to 1.11 mg/100 g, oxalate 0.91 to 2.64 mg/100 g, and saponin 0.00 to 1.24 mg/100 g. The study however showed that the functional properties of 100% pap and the pap fortified with Jatropha carcus leaves were water absorption capacity 65.78 and 52.68%, oil absorption capacity 140.20 and 120.00%, and foaming capacity 22.45 and 28.01% respectively. The panelist preferred the 100% pap than the pap enriched with Jatropha curcas leaves.  This study has revealed an increase in iron, magnesium and zinc which shows that fortification of pap with Jatropha curcas leaves will enhance the iron status of the populace.