Browsing by Author "Alemawor, Francis"

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    Assessment of the Consumers’ Awareness and Marketing Prospects of Organic Fruits and Vegetables in Techiman, Ghana
    (Journal of Food Security, 2018) Adams, Ayisaa; Agbenorhevi, Jacob K.; Alemawor, Francis; Lutterodt, Herman E.; Sampson, Gilbert O.; 0000-0002-8516-7656; 0000-0003-0985-8727; 0000-0001-7015-7597; 0000-0002-2175-4683
    The consumers’ awareness and willingness to pay premium for organic fruits and vegetables as well as the marketing prospects of these organic foods in the Techiman Market of Ghana were assessed. A face-to-face interview technique was employed using a structured questionnaire for this cross-sectional study. Out of 330 questionnaires administered, 318 were valid and included in the data analysis accordingly. Results showed that most of the consumers (74.53%) were aware of organic foods and the majority willing to pay up to 50% premium for the organic fruits and vegetables. The study revealed that key factors such as age, marital status, income and knowledge of chemical residues and their associated health risks significantly influenced consumers’ choice and willingness to pay a premium for organic fruits and vegetables. The estimated market potential for the organic fruits and vegetables were GH¢3,514,383,194.70 (~926 million USD) and GH¢5,341,348,087.50 (~1407 million USD) per year, respectively. Most consumers are aware of organic foods in the Techiman market of Ghana and they became aware generally through the radio and school/books. Most of the consumers acknowledged that they had concerns about the environmental and health risks associated with chemically grown fruits and vegetables on their health and wellbeing. Almost all the consumers were willing to pay up to 50% premium for the organic fruits and vegetables purchased in the Techiman municipality
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    Partial Substitution of Cocoa Butter with Processed Shea Butter in Milk Chocolate
    (Journal of Food Science and Engineering, 2014) Alemawor, Francis; Poku, Adrian K.; Agbenorhevi, Jacob K.; 0000-0003-0985-8727; 0000-0002-8516-7656
    Natural cocoa butter is expensive but a major ingredient used for the manufacture of chocolate. The search for alternative cheaper cocoa butter substitute with the similar physical properties, fatty acid and triglyceride content has been proposed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of cheaper and processed (fractionated- or deodorized-) shea butter (FSB or DSB) to partly substitute 5% and 7.5% cocoa butter in chocolate production. The proximate composition, microbiological and sensory qualities, as well as estimated cost of the formulated chocolate products were determined and compared with that of the 100% cocoa butter chocolate as control. Results showed that all the shea butter substituted chocolate samples varying in percentages of incorporation had acceptable proximate composition and microbial quality according to the international standards. Also, there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) among all the five samples in terms of flavour, after-taste and texture except for the 7.5% FSB substituted chocolate which differed significantly (P < 0.05) from the other samples in terms of overall acceptability, thus 7.5% FSB was less preferred by consumers. FSB is cheaper than DSB based on the world market price quotes. Thus the current study recommends the use of FSB for chocolate confectioneries at 5% substitution rate for cocoa butter could help reduce the cost of chocolate production and increase turnovers.
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    Pentadesma butyracea in Ghana – indigenous knowledge, uses, and seed characterization
    (Scientific African, 2023) Timtey, Josephine Akuba; Alemawor, Francis; Ellis, William Otoo; Peprah-Ameyaw, Nana Baah; Agbenorhevi, Jacob K.; 0000-0003-1674-8227; 0000-0003-0985-8727; 0000-0001-6993-4731; 0000-0003-4904-4947; 0000-0002-8516-7656
    This study ascertained the indigenous knowledge and uses of Pentadesma butyracea plant through a focus group study. The proximate, mineral, antinutritional compositions, and antioxidant activity of P. butyracea seed were also determined using standard analytical methods. The results of the focus group study showed that P. butyracea is essentially used for its butter which is prepared by women processors who hand down the skill of butter processing to their children. The butter is used for cooking, frying, and preparing traditional delicacies, and the plant is known to possess some therapeutic potential. The seed recorded the following mean proximate values: fat content of 35.82%, carbohydrate of 50.97%, 1.81% ash, 2.68% protein, 1.34% crude fibre, and moisture of 7.39%. The most abundant mineral in the seed is potassium (32.93 mg/100 g). Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, and zinc were at levels of <10 mg/100 g. Antinutritional factors found present in P. butyracea seed include oxalate (2737.42 mg/100 g), tannins (55.44 mg/100 g), saponins (10.23 mg/100 g), and alkaloids (9.18 mg/100 g). Also, the P. butyracea seed recorded mean total phenolics of 725.85 mg GAE/gdw), total flavonoids of 2313.15 μg (QE)/gdw, and DPPH activity of 82.02%. Although rich in fat, carbohydrates, and some minerals that can be exploited in food applications, the high contents of some antinutrients may pose nutritional challenges to its use. The findings from the indigenous knowledge investigation about Pentadesma butyracea seeds would partly influence the choice of appropriate processing approaches to maximising its value regarding food security challenges of indigenes in the study areas.
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    Quality of Miracle Berry Wine as Influenced by pH and Inoculum Levels
    (Journal of Food and Nutrition Research, 2019) Agbenorhevi, Jacob K.; Alemawor, Francis; Engmann, Felix N.; Aduboffour, Stephen K.; 0000-0002-8516-7656; 0000-0003-0985-8727; 0000-0003-1107-4024
    However, the fruit is underutilized in the sub region and susceptible to post harvest losses. In this study, miracle berry wine was produced and the effects of varying pH and inocula levels during fermentation (at room temperature for 7 days) on the wine parameters (soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, acid taste index, total phenols and antioxidant activity) were investigated. During fermentation, changes in ˚brix and pH were also monitored. Total soluble solids varied between 4.8-20°Brix while total phenols and antioxidant activity (% DPPH inhibition) ranged 300-580 mg GAE/L and 52-86 %, respectively. There was a decrease in ˚Brix, pH, phenolic content and antioxidant activity for all samples fermented at varying pH after fermentation. There was, however, an increase in titratable acidity (7-14 g/L tartaric acid) and acid taste index after fermentation. Wine samples produced at pH of 3.8, 4.6 and 5.8 using 1% inoculum produced 13%, 10% and 10% (v/v) alcohol, respectively. With respect to varying inocula, there was a decrease in ˚Brix, pH, phenolic content and antioxidant activity for wine samples produced at pH of 4.6 and inocula of 1% and 2%, respectively, but increased in titratable acidity and acid taste index after fermentation. At the end of the fermentation process, wine sample with pH 4.6 and inocula of 1% and 2% had alcohol content of 10% and 12% (v/v), respectively. The study revealed that it is possible to produce red wine from miracle berry rich in antioxidant with possible health imparting benefits. Again, varying the pH and inoculum levels can affect the quality of the wine produced.
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    Quality of Miracle Berry Wine as Influenced by pH and Inoculum Levels
    (Journal of Food and Nutrition Research, 2019) Agbenorhevi, Jacob K.; Alemawor, Francis; Engmann, Felix N.; Aduboffour, Stephen K. ; 0000-0002-8516-7656; 0000-0003-0985-8727
    Synsepalum dulificum (also known as miracle berry) fruit is rich in nutrients, flavour and antioxidant compounds. However, the fruit is underutilized in the sub region and susceptible to post harvest losses. In this study, miracle berry wine was produced and the effects of varying pH and inocula levels during fermentation (at room temperature for 7 days) on the wine parameters (soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, acid taste index, total phenols and antioxidant activity) were investigated. During fermentation, changes in ˚brix and pH were also monitored. Total soluble solids varied between 4.8-20°Brix while total phenols and antioxidant activity (% DPPH inhibition) ranged 300-580 mg GAE/L and 52-86 %, respectively. There was a decrease in ˚Brix, pH, phenolic content and antioxidant activity for all samples fermented at varying pH after fermentation. There was, however, an increase in titratable acidity (7-14 g/L tartaric acid) and acid taste index after fermentation. Wine samples produced at pH of 3.8, 4.6 and 5.8 using 1% inoculum produced 13%, 10% and 10% (v/v) alcohol, respectively. With respect to varying inocula, there was a decrease in ˚Brix, pH, phenolic content and antioxidant activity for wine samples produced at pH of 4.6 and inocula of 1% and 2%, respectively, but increased in titratable acidity and acid taste index after fermentation. At the end of the fermentation process, wine sample with pH 4.6 and inocula of 1% and 2% had alcohol content of 10% and 12% (v/v), respectively. The study revealed that it is possible to produce red wine from miracle berry rich in antioxidant with possible health imparting benefits. Again, varying the pH and inoculum levels can affect the quality of the wine produced.