Functional and Selected Chemical Properties of Wheat, Tropical Almond and Pawpaw Fruit Flours and Their Blends

Tropical Almond and pawpaw fruits are highly underutilized hence; the objectives were to improve their utilization in preparation of conventional foods. Six (6) blend samples A to F were formulated. Sample A (100 % wheat flour) was used as the control, B (60 % Wheat flour: 0 % Almond Flour: 40 % Pawpaw Flour), C (60 % Wheat flour: 10 % Almond Flour: 30 % Pawpaw Flour), D (60 % Wheat flour: 20 % Almond Flour: 20 % Pawpaw Flour), E (60 % Wheat flour: 30 % Almond Flour: 10 % Pawpaw Flour), F (60 % Wheat flour: 40 % Almond Flour: 0 % Pawpaw Flour). The functional, proximate and selected phytochemicals of the flours and their blends were evaluated using standard methods. Results showed that the bulk density, foaming capacity, water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, swelling capacity and gelation temperature of the flours ranged from 0.63-0.70 g/ml, 0.10-0.55 %, 1.15-2.65 ml/g, 0.46-1.65 ml/g, 0.10-2.90 ml/g and 86.00 oC-90.00 oC respectively. The proximate composition ranged from 6.27-9.77% for moisture, 2.01-5.80 % for ash, 6.56-37.6 % for fat, 0.35-1.12 % for fiber, 6.01-20.67 % for proteins 27.93-77.34 % for carbohydrates and 369.8-534.08 Kcal/100g of energy. The anti-nutrients content of the flours ranged from 0.70-0.90 mg/100g, 0.01-0.17 mg/100g, 0.20-0.96 % for oxalates, cyanide and tannins respectively. This research indicates that almond and pawpaw floor blends could serve as functional and nutritional ingredients in foods at 40 % and 10 % almond and pawpaw flours in wheat respectively.