Nutritional and Sensory Qualities of Cookies from Wheat, Trifoliate Yam and Moringa Seed Flours

Nutritional and sensory qualities of cookies from wheat, trifoliate yam and moringa seed flour were investigated. The formulated blends (%) were 100:0:0, 85:10:5, 75:20:5, 65:30:5, 55:40:5 and 45: 50:5 % wheat, trifoliate yam and moringa seed flour, with 100 % wheat flour serving as control. The cookies samples were subjected to proximate, physical, vitamin, mineral and sensory analysis using standard methods. The study revealed that addition of trifoliate yam and Moringa seed flour to wheat in cookies formulation significantly (P<0.05) increased the moisture, ash, crude fibre, crude fat and protein contents of wheat-based cookies. The result of the physical properties showed no significant (P>0.05) difference for diameter (cm) of the cookies. However, a significant (P<0.05) difference was observed for thickness, weight and spread ratio. The minerals and vitamins contents such as magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and β-carotene (pro-vitamin A) increased while the niacin (vitamin B3) and pyrodixine (B6) decreased as the level of trifoliate yam flour addition increased. Sensory attributes of this study showed that the trifoliate yam flour could be incorporated up to the levels of 10 and 20 % in the wheat and moringa flour without greatly influencing the organoleptic characteristics of the cookies. Trifoliate yam flour and moringa seed flour can be used in the Addition of wheat flour in cookies and confectionery production due to its high nutritional contents. Trifoliate yam flour addition in wheat flour be encouraged in cookies production as this compared favourable with the wheat-based cookies and that shelf-life study should be carried out to ascertain the cookies storage stability.