ABSTRACT
Nutrient composition and shelf life of bitter gourd juice was studied.
Juice was from bitter gourd (Morinordicacharantia), sweetened with varying
levels of date palm fruit extracts (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) and analysed for physicochemical
properties and nutrient status (proximate, minerals, vitamins and anti-nutrients)
as well as shelflife determination. Results ofthe analysis ofthe juice show lower
pH (5.03) in the control than in the sweetened juices (5.30-6.07). total solids
increased from 13.78%(control) to 16.6I%(20% sweetener), Titratable acidity
reduced from 0.34%(control) to 0.19% (20% sweetener). Nutritional properties
showed slight but significant increases in protein (2.34% to 2.69%), Ash (1.49%
to 1.88%), Fibre (0.46% to 1.36%) while fat reduced from 0.29% to 0.25%. carbohydrate
increased from 9.21% to 10.10%. There was enhancement of the mineral content
with increases in calcium (41.04mg/100g to 53.30mg/100g), potassium
(121.67mg/100g to 125.37mg/100g), sodium (14.13mg/100g to 17.03mg/100g) while
phosphorus and magnesium reduced (202.40mg/100g to 195.33mg/100g and
11.63mg/100g to 10.83mg/100g respectively). Thiamine(Bl) and Riboflavin were
not affected by the addition of the sweetener. Thiamine was
0.03mg/100g in all the juice
samples while riboflavin was basically 0.02mg/100g
in the juices while vitamin A decreased from 48.73mg/100g to 37.1mg/100g
and
vitamin C increased from 2.49mg/100g to 3.05mg/100g. anti-nutrient
analysis
showed decreases in all anti-nutrient tested including alkaloid (0.46% to
0.37%),
phytate (0.36% to 0.29%), oxalate (0.27% to 0.23%) and saponin (0.31 % to
0.19%).
Shelflife ofthe juices was not affected by the sweeteners as all “spoilt”
on the third
day marked by bacterial load above 1.0xl0Dcfu/ml. meanwhile the bacterial
load
at production time was within acceptable limits being in the range of
1.26><I02cfu/ml (control) to 1.39x10Dcfu/ml (20% sweetened). It was
observed
that the use ofthe sweeteners impacted positively on the bitter gourd
juices as all
were acceptable panelists with mean scores ranging from 6.03 to 7.10 and
the 9-
point hedonic scale, it was concluded that there were more positive impact
by the
sweeteners than negative ones on the bitter gourd juices. This successful
use ofthe
date palm fruits imply high potentials ofincreased utility application
ofthe fruit. It
was therefore recommended that underutilized wild but edible fruits like
bitter
gourd (wild cucumber) should be harnessed for useful utilization
especially as
many ofthem may have health benefits. Also, the use of fruit sugars (like
those in
the date palm fruits) as organic sweeteners should be encouraged since
they impact
positively on products as seen in this work.
MAUREEN, C (2024). Determining The Nutrient Composition And Shelf Life Of Bitter Gourd Juice Sweetened With Date Palm:- Mbilitem, Maureen C. Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Oct 11, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/determining-the-nutrient-composition-and-shelf-life-of-bitter-gourd-juice-sweetened-with-date-palm-mbilitem-maureen-c-7-2
CHETACHI, MAUREEN. "Determining The Nutrient Composition And Shelf Life Of Bitter Gourd Juice Sweetened With Date Palm:- Mbilitem, Maureen C" Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 17 Sep. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/determining-the-nutrient-composition-and-shelf-life-of-bitter-gourd-juice-sweetened-with-date-palm-mbilitem-maureen-c-7-2. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.
CHETACHI, MAUREEN. "Determining The Nutrient Composition And Shelf Life Of Bitter Gourd Juice Sweetened With Date Palm:- Mbilitem, Maureen C". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 17 Sep. 2024. Web. 11 Oct. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/determining-the-nutrient-composition-and-shelf-life-of-bitter-gourd-juice-sweetened-with-date-palm-mbilitem-maureen-c-7-2 >.
CHETACHI, MAUREEN. "Determining The Nutrient Composition And Shelf Life Of Bitter Gourd Juice Sweetened With Date Palm:- Mbilitem, Maureen C" Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2024). Accessed 11 Oct. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/determining-the-nutrient-composition-and-shelf-life-of-bitter-gourd-juice-sweetened-with-date-palm-mbilitem-maureen-c-7-2