African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12487

Full Length Research Paper

Impact of clarification process on the nutritional, mineral and vitamin composition of cashew (Anacardium occidentale) apple juice

Ukonze J. A.
  • Ukonze J. A.
  • Department of Agricultural and Bio-resource Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar
Ogu E.
  • Ogu E.
  • Department of Agricultural and Bio-resource Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar
Onu F. M.
  • Onu F. M.
  • Department of Agricultural and Bio-resource Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar
Dimelu I.
  • Dimelu I.
  • Department of Home Economics and Hospitality Management Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar
Ifeanyieze F. O.
  • Ifeanyieze F. O.
  • Department of Agricultural and Bio-resource Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar
Ejiofor T. E.
  • Ejiofor T. E.
  • Department of Agricultural and Bio-resource Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 21 November 2017
  •  Accepted: 13 February 2018
  •  Published: 07 March 2018

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of clarification process on the nutritional, mineral and vitamin composition of the cashew apple juice. The proximate composition in percentage for moisture, dry matter, ash, crude fibre, ether extract, crude protein and carbohydrate were determined in line with the recommended methods of Association of Official Analytical Chemist (AOAC), and vitamin profile was analysed using Gas Chromatography coupled with the Pulsed Flame Photometric Detector (GC-FPD). The mineral analysis also followed the recommendation of AOAC. The clarified cashew apple juice had values in mg/100 of 10.1, 6.1, 2.2, 28.8, 10.2 and 0.22 for calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus and iron, respectively. The study showed that cashew apple juice is rich in nutrient and contains a good level of trace elements necessary for healthy living. Rice gruel as a natural sourced clarifying agent can better replace industrial clarification agents for a safer drink production.

ords: Clarification process, nutritional composition, mineral composition, vitamin composition, cashew apple juice.