Summary
This study investigated the chemical, functional and organoleptic properties of Landolphia togolana root extract used by experienced postpartum mothers as soup thickener in Ondo State, Nigeria. The study examined background to the study, statement of the problem, purpose of the study, significance of the study, scope and delimitation of the study. In order to give direction to the study seven researchs questions were raised and four hypotheses were formulated. The study uses theory of diffusion of innovation developed by E.A. Roger 1962 and 2003 to established the need for innovation, concept of plants roots, chemical composition of plants, functional properties of plants, organoleptic properties of plants; uses, nutritional, medicinal and therapeutic benefit of Landolphia togolana and postpartum mother’s nutrition among other sub-headings.
The descriptive survey and laboratory experimental designs were explored for the study. The population for this study comprised of all women in the tertiary institutions in Ondo State. A multi-stage sampling technique consisting of simple random sampling, purposive and proportionate random sampling was used to select six hundred and sixteen (616) experienced postpartum women from four tertiary institutions in Ondo State, Nigeria. The research instruments used for the study were a researcher-developed structured questionnaire title assessement of level of awareness and ultilization of landolphia togolana root used for soup thickener among experienced postpartum women which consisted of two sections (A & B); section A consist of the biodata of the respondents and section B consist of twenty (20) items addressing the objectives of the study. The research instrument was administered by the researcher with the help of two informed research assistants to the selected respondents. Score card and concept form was used to assessed organoleptics/sensory attributes of the soup thickener. The consent forms were distributed to the panelists before the sensory to get their concept or willingness to participate, only those that showed their willingness were allowed to participated. The parameter evaluated were aroma, taste, texture, colour and general acceptability. Proximate analysis was done by the method of AOAC, 2003 association of analytical chemist. Quantitative and qualitative phytochemical screening was done using the method described by odebiyi and sofowora, 1978. Minerals were done by the method described by AOAC,2005. Vitamins determination by SPE method described by cho et al,2000. Amino acid profiling using the method described by Vazquez-ortiz, 1995. Antioxidant by method described by jain et al, 2008, toxicology text was done by LD50 method while calories were determined using calorimeter 6200.
The instruments were validated by three expert, the researchers supervisors and one other expert from Department of measurement and evaluation all from University of Benin and tested for reliability using Cronbach’s alpha statistics. A correlation coefficient (r) of 0.86 was obtained.
The data collected with the instruments administered to 616 experienced postpartum mothers in selected tertiary institutions in Ondo State. Research question 1-7 were answered while research question 1-4 were hypothezed. Research question 3,4,6 and7 for the study were analysed using mean, t-test and one-way ANOVA. All but the second null hypotheses tested at 0.05 alpha level were rejected.
