ABSTRACT

The study undertaken in this work was to determine the nutritional composition of Roselle calyces drink enriched with turmeric rhizome. The raw materials used in this work comprises of the dried calyces of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), black pepper, cloves, sugar, and turmeric rhizome (curcuma longa. Linn). The dried calyces were bought from Funtua market, Katsina State, while the turmeric rhizome, cloves, and black pepper were obtained from Isi-gate, Umuahia, Abia State, both in Nigeria. Chemical analysis was conducted using standard methods, such as the molybdate method, dithizone titrating metric method, specter method, titration method, flame photometry method, phenanthroline method, spectrometric method and the official AOAC method of analysis. The products derived after the laboratory experimentation, were made using standard recipe. The turmeric rhizome and calyces were sorted after which they were weighed, washed, and the turmeric rhizome, scrapped, sliced and reweighed before boiling using a medium size pot on a heat source. The turmeric, black pepper and cloves were added at intervals which began 5minutes after boiling was initiated. The pot was heated for 20 minutes, after which it was allowed to cool before extraction and refrigeration. The extracted product was packaged and sampled (A – D) after adequate labelling for a sensory test, using difference and preference. The sample products were analyzed for their vitamin and mineral content using standard methods. The mineral content in the four samples were significantly (p<0.05) different amongst themselves, with calcium (230.42mg) having the highest value in sample A, and magnesium (223.81mg) and phosphorous (210.45mg) in sample C. The content of beta carotene (vitamin A), and vitamin C were highest in each of the sample with vitamin A having the highest concentration of 272.60mg in sample C, and vitamin C having a concentration of 6.15mg in sample A. Magnesium had a concentration of 223.81mg and 190.50mg in sample C, and D respectively. Iron had a concentration of 16.02mg, and 13.18mg in sample C, and D, respectively. The concentration of copper in sample D was 0.63mg, and riboflavin had a concentration of 0.82mg in sample C. All of these concentrations met with the recommended daily intake of 120mg/d (magnesium), 6mg/d (iron), 0.6mg/d (copper), and 0.8mg/d (riboflavin), for children age 2-5years, as stated by the British Nutrition Foundation. These samples were also indicated to be a good source of antioxidant (vitamin A and C), thiamin, as well as zinc. Therefore, turmeric rhizome can be used as an enrichment for drinks as well as a good substitute for ginger in the production of improved nutrient dense and functional drinks.