ABSTRACT

 This study investigated the proximate composition, antinutrient composition, glycemic index and glycemic load of cowpea-maize fufu-like product. Four groups of volunteers were each fed with 50g cowpea-maize fufu-like product and 50g of control (50g anhydrous glucose). The venous blood samples were drawn at 15mins first when continued at 30mins intervals for 2 hours after fasting blood glucose test, which was determined, using glucose oxidase method. The blood levels after were determined and the areas under curve were calculated by trapezoid method. The glycemic index of sample A, B, C and D were found to be 83.36 mmol\L, 78.53 mmol\L, of variance (F= 0.05) carried out 79.07 mmol\L and 77.53mmol\L respectively. The analysis showed that the proximate composition of the samples was significantly different. The moisture content varied from 21.78%-25.35%. With sample D having the highest carbohydrate content of 25.35% and sample B having d lowest carbohydrate content of 21.78%. The crude protein determination varied from 7.53%-16.82%. With sample D having the highest crude protein determination of 16.82% and sample A having d lowest crude protein determination of 7.53%. The fat determination varied from 0.26%-0.41%. With sample A having the highest fat determination of 0.41% and sample D having d lowest fat determination of 0.26%. The crude fiber determination varied from 0.40%-0.54%. With sample A having the highest crude fiber determination of 0.54% and sample D having d lowest crude fiber determination of 0.40%. The ash content varied from 0.97%-1.23%. With sample D having the highest ash content of 1.23% and sample A having d lowest ash content of 0.97%. The carbohydrate content varied from 55.95%-66.93%. With sample A having the highest carbohydrate content of 66.93% and sample D Having d lowest carbohydrate content of 55.94%. While the antinutrient results showed that the product has low level of antinutrient. The tannin value varied from 1.22-0.94mg/100g. With sample D having the highest tannin value of 1.22mg/100g and sample A Having d lowest tannin content of 0.94mg/100g. The saponin value varied from 0.11-0.04mg/100g. With sample D having the highest saponin value of 0.11mg/100g and sample A Having d lowest saponin content of 0.04mg/100g. The alkaloid value varied from 0.095-0.765mg/100g. With sample D having the highest alkaloid value of 0.765mg/100g and sample A Having d lowest alkaloid content of 0.095mg/100g.The phytate value ranged from 0.46-0.32mg/100g. Phytate was highest in sample A and lowest in sample D. The four cowpea-maize fufu-like products were within the high glycemic index range of above 70 but releases glucose slower compared to fufu and garri. From these results, it can be concluded that cowpea-maize fufu-like product is of high glycemic index. And is recommended for endurance athlete. As it is a good source of energy.