Proximate, Mineral and Anti-nutrient Characteristics of Fermented Cassava Product (Pupuru) Supplemented with Fermented Moringa oleifera Seed

  1. Gift Rebecca Asefon
  2. Foluso Olutope Adetuyi
  3. Kayode Olayele Karigidi
Read the full article See related articles

Listed in

This article is not in any list yet, why not save it to one of your lists.
Log in to save this article

Abstract

Background

Pupuru, a traditionally fermented and smoked-dried cassava ( Manihot esculenta ) product, is widely consumed in South-Western Nigeria but is limited by low protein content and poor nutritional profile.

Objective

This study investigated the proximate composition, mineral profiles, and anti-nutritional factors of Pupuru supplemented with fermented Moringa oleifera seeds at varying inclusion levels.

Methods

Fermented cassava mash was supplemented with fermented Moringa oleifera seeds at 0% (control), 1%, 5%, and 10% inclusion levels. The resulting flour blends were analyzed for proximate composition, macro- and micromineral content, and anti-nutritional factors using standard AOAC methods.

Results

Supplementation significantly (p<0.05) increased protein (1.43–4.33%), fat (0.28–0.87%), fiber (0.32–0.75%), ash (0.40–1.30%), and moisture (12.57–13.06%) contents while carbohydrate content decreased (84.52–80.20%). Mineral profiles improved significantly across all treatment levels for iron (18.28–22.40 mg/kg), zinc (7.71–12.51 mg/kg), manganese (3.66–8.91 mg/kg), and copper (0.67–1.14 mg/kg). Anti-nutritional factors including phytate (0.27–0.30%), saponin (0.05–0.09%), oxalate (0.13–0.16%), and tannin remained within acceptable limits.

Conclusion

Moringa oleifera seed supplementation significantly improved the nutritional quality of Pupuru without compromising its safety profile, presenting a viable strategy for addressing protein-calorie malnutrition and mineral deficiencies in cassava-consuming populations.

Article activity feed

  1. Mentioned by @biorxiv-biochem.bsky.social on Bluesky

    Proximate, Mineral and Anti-nutrient Composition of Fermented Cassava Product (Pupuru) Supplemented with Fermented Moringa oleifera Seed. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.13.758933v1

  2. Mentioned by @biorxivpreprint.bsky.social on Bluesky

    Proximate, Mineral and Anti-nutrient Composition of Fermented Cassava Product (Pupuru) Supplemented with Fermented Moringa oleifera Seed. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.13.758933v1

  3. Version published to 10.64898/2026.10.13.758933v1 on bioRxiv