You have no items in your shopping cart.
ABSTRACT
Storage of Kola nuts has been a major problem in Nigeria. Kola nuts are important trade item in West African regions for many centuries. The duration of storage and means of preservation has great effect on the content of the kola. This study is concerned with evaluating the phytochemical content and microbial changes in kola nut (Colanitida) as effected by duration of storage and lining material used during storage. The leaf of Triclisia dictyophylla was used as the lining material placed in plastic canistersand the storage durationwas three months. Weight of kola seeds, microbial loads, species diversityand phytochemical analyses were carried out. Standard methods were used to ascertain the weight, microbial load and phytochemical contents of the kolanuts. Data obtained from weight, microbial and species diversity and phytochemical analyses are given. Results from the weight of kola showed a decrease with period of storage; before storage the mean weight of kola was 100.00±8.71, after storage for one month, weight was observed to be 53.20±15.52, by the second month 38.07±8.71 and 25.89±2.82 was obtained for the third month. This decrease could be as a result of the temperate conditions effected by the lining material and the period of storage. Phytochemical analyses revealed low concentrations in the following parameters- Favonoids (0.03-0.00), Saponins (0.31-0.09), Phenolics (0.22-0.06), Tannins (0.81-0.00) and Alkaloids (0.98-0.61). The microbes were isolated and identified. Neurospora spp. was the most abundant, other microbes isolated were Penicillum sp., Mucor sp., Aspergillus sp., and the Botryodiplodia sp. which causes black rot fungal infection in kolanuts. Microbial analyses were also carried out on the lining material and all microbes mentioned above were identified including Rhizopus sp. The period of storage and lining material used may have a significant effect on the weight, microbial and phytochemical contents of the kola.
