• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.227-233
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• 2014

The discovery of bioactive compounds in foods has changed the dietary lifestyle of many people. Cyperus esculentus (tigernut) is highly underutilized in Africa, yet tigernut extract is highly profitable in Europe. This study aims to add value to tigernut extract by revealing its health benefits and food value. In this study, tigernut tubers were germinated or roasted and the extracts were combined with Moringa oleifera extract (MOE) or Hibiscus sabdariffa extract (HSE) and spiced with ginger to produce functional drinks. The drinks were evaluated for physicochemical characteristics, sensory parameters, and antioxidant potentials. The total phenolic content of each beverage was measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, and the antioxidant activity of each beverage was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid assays. The beverages from the germinated tigernut extracts had the highest titratable acidity and the lowest pH, while beverages containing the roasted tigernut extract had the highest $^{\circ}Brix$. Germination and roasting significantly enhanced the total phenolic content of the drinks. The beverage containing HSE and germinated tigernut extract had a total phenolic content of 45.67 mg/100 mL gallic acid equivalents, which was significantly higher than the total phenolic content of all other samples. The DPPH inhibition activity of the beverages prepared with germinated tigernut extracts was significantly higher than the DPPH inhibition activity of the beverages prepared with fresh tigernut extract. The taste and overall acceptability of drinks containing the roasted tigernut extract were preferred, while the color and appearance of drinks with the germinated samples were preferred. Roasting or germinating tigernuts before extraction and addition of MOE or HSE extracts is another way to add value and enhance the utilization of tigernuts.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.918-928
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• 2023

The effects of tigernut dietary fiber (TDF: 5, 10, and 20% w/w) inclusion in rice muffin formulations on the functional and pasting properties of composite powders, as well as the nutritional and sensory properties of muffins were investigated. The results showed a significant (p<0.05) proportional increase in the water and oil holding capacity as TDF increased in the powder blends. Moreover, pasting viscosity was found to decrease with the inclusion of TDF. TDF muffins showed improved nutritional quality, with increased protein (~14%), insoluble fiber (~128%) and total fiber (~34%) contents compared to 100% rice muffins. Also, TDF-muffins had lower baking losses (~22%) and better texture, including firmness and chewiness. Sensory scores of TDF-muffins (up to 10% w/w) showed similar consumer acceptability for all parameters considered. Overall, this study suggests tigernut fiber as a functional additive that balances the growing consumers' demands for healthy and quality gluten-free rice muffins.