Browsing by Author "Boakye, Abena A."

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    Antioxidant activity, total phenols and phytochemical constituents of four underutilised tropical fruits
    (International Food Research Journal, 2015) Boakye, Abena A.; Wireko-Manu, Faustina D.; Agbenorhevi, Jacob K.; Oduro, Ibok N.; 0000-0003-0344-2683; 0000-0002-5020-6299; 0000-0002-8516-7656; 0000-0003-3731-2684
    The antioxidant activity, total phenols content and phytochemical constituents of edible portions of four underutilised tropical fruits; Irvingia gabonensis (African mango), Artocarpus altilis (breadfruit), Annona muricata (soursop) and Annona squamosa (sweetsop) were determined. Extracts of fruit samples were screened for selected phytochemicals using standard methods whereas the total phenols content and antioxidant activity (by free radical scavenging action) was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and DPPH assay, respectively. The antioxidant activities were high with values ranging from 63% inhibition (breadfruit) to 78% inhibition (African mango pulp). African mango seeds had the highest total phenols content (20.96 mg GAE /100g). Tannins, triterpenoids, saponins, sterols, cardiac glycosides, flavanoids and coumarins were detected in most of the fruit extracts. The study revealed that these underutilised tropical fruits have considerable free radical scavenging (antioxidant) activity and an array of phytochemicals necessary to significantly impact health of consumers.
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    Assessment of Some Health Beneficial Constituents of Edible Portions of Four Underutilised Fruits
    (2013-12-10) Boakye, Abena A.
    The surge in chronic diseases has necessitated the global call for increased consumption of diverse fruits and vegetables resulting in the need to study the potential health beneficial constituents of the underutilised. This research was aimed at assessing the dietary fibre fractions, proximate composition, antioxidant activity and phytochemical constituents of edible portions of four underutilised fruits viz., African mango (seeds and pulp), breadfruit (pulp), soursop (pulp) and sweetsop (pulp). Their total phenolic and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) contents were also determined. Samples for all determinations except proximate analysis were freeze-dried and stored: Some under refrigeration conditions for dietary fibre analysis, and the rest at - 20 oC. Proximate and phytochemical analysis was done by standard methods. The antioxidant activity and phenolics were determined by spectroscopy using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and the Folin-Ciocalteu protocol, respectively. The ascorbic acid content was determined by titrimetry and an enzymatic-gravimetric method employed for the dietary fibre determinations. Proximate values (% mean) ranged from 2.63±0.11 to 6.71±0.07; 2.44±0.07 to 4.00±0.03 and 2.60±0.41 to 13.90±0.58 for protein, ash and fat respectively. Generally, tannins, triterpenoids, saponins, sterols, cardiac glycosides, flavanoids and coumarins were detected. Antioxidant activity of the samples ranged from 63% (breadfruit) to 78% (African mango pulp) and the highest phenolic content was recorded in African mango seeds. Total dietary fibre contents ranged from 11.50 (soursop) to 22.70 (African mango pulp) g/100g while ascorbic acid contents of the fruit mesocarps ranged from 20.32 (sweetsop) to 62.52 (soursop) mg/100g. There were non-significant correlations (P < 0.05) between the phenolics, ascorbic acid contents and antioxidant activities. The study suggests significant composition of health beneficial constituents - dietary fibre, vitamin C and presence of an array of phytochemicals - as well as fairly high antioxidant activities of the stated fruits. Thus, the need to exploit them in seeking optimum health of the populace.
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    Dietary fibre ascorbic acid and proximate composition of tropical underutilised fruits
    (African Journal of Food Science, 2014-06) Boakye, Abena A.; Wireko-Manu, Faustina D.; Agbenorhevi, Jacob K.; Oduro, Ibok N.; 0000-0003-0344-2683; 0000-0002-5020-6299; 0000-0002-8516-7656; 0000-0003-3731-2684
    The current surge in the prevalence of chronic diseases has necessitated the call for the increased consumption of fruits to curtail the phenomenon.The dietary fibre fractions .......................................