Development and Quality Characteristics of Cookies from Sprouted Sorghum, Pigeon Pea and Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato Flour Blends

The present study was undertaken to produce cookies from readily available but underutilized Nigerian crops such as sorghum, pigeon pea and orange fleshed sweet potato. Different blends of sprouted sorghum, pigeon pea and orange fleshed potato flour were mixed and coded in the ratios (w/w) 100:0:0 (A), 95:5:0 (B), 85:10:5(C), 75:15:10(D), 65:20:15(E) while 100% wheat flour (F) was produced as control. The functional properties of the flour samples were determined while produced cookies were evaluated for their physical, proximate, selected vitamins, anti-nutrients and sensory properties using standard methods. Significant (p < 0.05) increases in water absorption capacity, bulk density and swelling index of flour blends were observed as the level of substitutions increased. Control sample had the highest weight (13.89 g) and spread ratio (1.22) while sample E had the least weight (7.31 g) and least spread ratio (0.92). Moisture, crude protein, crude lipid, ash, crude fibre contents as well as energy value of flour blends cookies were significantly (p < 0.05) higher with increased level of pigeon pea and potato flours addition. Significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the carbohydrate content of the cookies was observed. Vitamin A and C contents of sample E were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the value obtained for sample F. Anti-nutritional factors in the cookies samples were within permissible levels. Sensory ratings showed that sample B compared favourably with sample F based on overall acceptability.