Abstract

Triplicate samples of dried ‘tatase’ pepper and dried tomato in early and late storage periods were randomly obtained monthly from 2 major markets in Kano and analyzed for moisture contents, mould loads, insect infestation and consumer acceptability and relationships of parameters. Respective mean ± SD values of moisture for new and old stocks; 11.05±1.04% and 9.93±2.85%; and 9.69±0.98% and 9.74±1.31% were not significantly different at P=0.05. Moisture contents varied widely, with low correlation coefficients, r = -0.47 and r = -0.14 for moisture contents/mould loads relationships in dried ‘tatase’ pepper and dried tomato respectively. However, correlation coefficients for log.mould load / acceptability by brightness of colour relationships, r = -0.71 and r = -0.8; and by discoloration, r = +0.71 and r = +0.81 were high and related to mouldiness. Mean ± SD of mould loads in new stocks were 2.7±1.9 x 10³ and 4.3 x 10³ ± 4.6 x 10² cfu/g for pepper and tomato respectively, and showed increases to 3.0±2.3 x 10⁴ and 3.4 ± 2.6 x 10⁴ cfu/g respectively in old stocks. Insect infestations were common on tomato but rare even on old ‘tatase’ pepper. 

Key words: Dried ‘tatase’ pepper, dried tomato, new stock, old stock, moisture contents, mould loads, insect infestation, consumer acceptability, correlation coefficient.