ABSTRACT

Nigeria is faced with malnutrition and this affects all age groups especially the vulnerable population. The objective of this study is to determine the nutrient composition and sensory evaluation of drink produced from tigernut, date fruits and orange fruits. The study was experimental in design. A total of three different drinks were produced, the date fruits served as a sweetener and 62ml was added to each of the three samples developed, the control, containing 100% vita milk  while samples developed were 100% tigernut drink, tigernut drink + orange drink (70:30%) and tigernut drink + orange drink (30:70%). Standard method was used to prepare the drinks. The proximate and mineral contents of the drinks were also determined using standard AOAC methods. Vitamin contents were determined using wet-acid digestion method for multiple nutrients determination, and their sensory attributes were assessed using a nine-point hedonic scale and analysed using Duncan Multiple Range Test. All test were carried out in duplicate and the data generated were analysed using standard methods. The results showed a reasonable amount of protein contents of 6.76, 5.07 and 2.87% for 100% tigernut drink, tigernut drink + orange drink (70:30%) and tigernut drink + orange drink (30:70%), respectively. Proximate composition showed that 100% tigernut drink had higher protein (6.78%) and fat (24.4%) but low carbohydrate (3.11%) than tigernut drink + orange drink (70:30%). Blend of (30:70%) had less protein (2.87%) than 100% tigernut drink and blend of (70:30%). All samples had high moisture content which ranged from 65.05-81.19%. Significant difference (p≥0.05) did not exist in sensory scores of colour, flavor, taste, after-taste and general acceptability. It was concluded that drink from tiger-nut and orange be encouraged due to the high nutrient contents (protein, fat etc.) so as to help alleviate the problem of protein-energy malnutrition.