PROXIMATE AND VITAMINS ASSESSMENT OF NONI JUICE, LEAVES AND SEEDS AS A FUNCTIONAL FOOD SECURITY WELLNESS FOOD IN GLOBAL HEALTH

Abstract

Rapid changes in dietary lifestyles, global challenges of diseases present in developing countries like Nigeria is constantly increasing making the researcher to investigate the proximate and Vitamins assessment of homemade Noni juice, leaves and seeds as a functional food security wellness food in global health. The main purpose of the study was to produce juice from Noni (MorindaCritifolia). Specifically, the study determined the proximate composition of Noni Juice, Leaves and seeds, and determined theVitamin A, B and C composition of Noni Juice, 2 leaves and seeds. The study adopted research and Development (R&D) design to produce wellness fruit juice from Noni fruits, processed Noni seeds and leaves into powdered form. All the produced samples were subjected
to analysis to ascertain their contents. The proximate analysis results revealed moisture content of the samples ranged from 8.27 ± 0.04 to 92.55 ± 0.40, protein ranged 0.04 ± 0.01 to 14.33 ± 0.02, and fat content ranged 2.0 ± 0.01 to 3.98 ± 0.03%. Ash content ranged 1.06 ± 0.04 to 9.76 ± 0.03% crude fibre ranged 0.03 ± 0.01 to 28.70 ± 0.01%, Carbohydrate ranged 2.36 ± 0.39 to 53.45± 0.05% respectively. The vitamins results revealed the presence of reasonable amount of Vitamin A, B2 and C in the Noni Juice, leaves and seeds which shows that when taken it will help to prevent diseases like cancer, diabetes etc that is prevalent in Nigeria. This work had proved that Noni plant is a zero waste plant. It was recommended that home makers in Nigeria should plant the crop in
their various home gardens. The vegetables of Noni (MorindaCritifolia) can be diversified into different processing methods and utilized in food preparation. The seeds can be grounded into powdered form and use as a substitute to other beverages and sauce for food preparation. Value added products will helps to alleviate nutrients deficiency diseases. Consumers' awareness on the potential of Noni (MorindaCritifolia) should be reawakened through advertisement. Sensory evaluation should be conducted by another researcher; this will help to popularize the crop.