|
Studies on the chemical
composition and storage parameters of sun-dried kola nuts
Samuel Tetteh Lowor
Cocoa
Research Institute of Ghana, P.O. Box 8, Akim-Tafo, Ghana.
E-mail:
slowor2@yahoo.co.uk .
Accepted 10 January, 2008 |
|
Kola
nuts (Cola nitida) were sun
dried to determine their storage and suitability parameters
for possible export. Moisture content of nuts could be
reduced to 7 - 9% by sun-drying in wooden trays with raffia
mat bases. Milled nuts stored for 12 months in sealed
polybags at room temperature (25 - 27°C) did not
significantly (P≤ 0.05) absorb moisture over the
period of storage. The chemical composition of most of the
non-volatile components (protein, fibre, ash, non-soluble
sugars, caffeine, lipids, potassium and total nitrogen) in
the sun-dried nuts did not significantly differ from that of
the fresh and cured nuts. There were, however, significant
differences in soluble sugars and total polyphenols. Other
differences observed were in the volatile profile of the
nuts taken through various treatments. The implications of
the result are discussed.
Key words:
Cola nitida, cured nuts and caffeine. |
