Abstract

The purpose of this research was to develop and evaluate a snack product (chin-chin) from composite maize-wheat flour blends enriched with edible palm weevil (Rhyhnchophorus phoenicis) paste. The maize-wheat chin-chin enriched with R. phoenicis were subjected to acceptability test using twenty member semi-trained panelist. The moisture, fat, protein and carbohydrate compositions of the snack samples had significant differences in their values. Sample 5M5R90W (containing 5% maize flour and Rhyhnchophorus phoenicis paste and 90% wheat flour) had the highest protein value of 19.05% while the least value 9.39% was obtained by sample 100M0R0W (100% maize flour alone). Sample 100M0R0W containing 100% maize flour also had the highest carbohydrate value of 75.24%. There was no significant difference in the ash and crude fiber contents of the chin-chin samples enriched with edible palm weevil paste. There were significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in the functional properties of maize-wheat composite flour blends. Their wettability values ranged from 46.67 – 200 while the swelling index, bulk density and oil absorption capacity showed no significant difference in their values. The result of the mineral analysis showed phosphorus, magnesium and sodium had significant differences in their values in the range of 317.55 – 376.75mg/100g; 5.60 -13.60mg/100g;59.0 – 70.3mg/100g, respectively. There were no significant differences in the sensory attributes of the chin-chin samples. The result showed that an acceptable chin-chin product can be processed with the inclusion of the larva of edible palm weevil with maize-wheat composite flour to enhance the nutritional quality of the product.

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