Influence of Compounds Contents and Particle Size on Some Functional Properties of Moringa oleifera Leaves (Lam) Powders
Assiéné Agamou Julien Armel *
Department of Social and Family Economy, Higher Normal School of Technical Education, University of Douala, BP. 1872 Douala, Littoral Region, Cameroon. and Department of Food Science and Nutrition, National School of Agro-industrial Sciences, Ngaoundere, University of Ngaoundere, BP. 455 Ngaoundere, Adamawa Region, Cameroon.
Fombang Nig Edith
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, National School of Agro-industrial Sciences, Ngaoundere, University of Ngaoundere, BP. 455 Ngaoundere, Adamawa Region, Cameroon.
Mbofung Carl Moses
Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Technology, University of Bamenda, PO- Box 39 Bambili, North West Region, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objective: This study aims to determine the influence of the contents of compounds and particle size on the functional properties of leaves powders of M. oleifera.
Methodology: The leaves were collected from three farms in the localities of Mbouda and Maroua and processed in powders. The proximate composition, some functional properties such as particle size, true Water Absorption Capacity (WACt), apparent Water Absorption Capacity (WACa), Water Solubility Index (WSI), Oil Holding Capacity (OHC), and Bulk density were determined.
Results: The mean contents of young and mature leaves powders are 24.96 ± 0.29 and 23.13 ± 0.50 g/100 DM in total proteins; 34.26 ± 0.52 and 29.11 ± 1.44 g/100g DM in available carbohydrate, 8.34 ± 0.64 and 8.34 ± 0.68 g/100g DM in total lipids, 8.75 ± 0.74 and 9.08 ± 0.48 g/100g DM in total ash, 21.13 ± 1.34 and 27.14 ± 1.04 g/100g DM in total fibers, respectively. The particle size of powders is majority large. The fiber's contents significantly affect the increase of rehydration properties and the OHC, while the large particle size, the density. Values of WACt and WACa are 27.02 ± 0.20 and 32.88 ± 1.24 % in young leaves and 28.98 ± 0.15 and 35.88 ± 1.02 % in mature leaves, respectively. The WSI and OHC are 3.02 ± 0.06 and 257 ± 1% in young leaves and 3.5 ± 0.04 and 261 ± 2 % in mature leaves, respectively. The Bulk density is 0.42 ± 0.01 g/ml in young leaves and 0.39 ± 0.01 in mature leaves.
Conclusion: Functional properties of M. oleifera leave powders do not always depend on the contents of compounds and particle size distribution.
Keywords: Moringa oleifera leaves powders, contents of the compounds, particle size, functional properties.