Cakes were produced from the substitution levels of wheat/plantain flour blends (0 – 100% and 0 – 70%), respectively and enriched with 0 – 30% levels of Bambara groundnut protein concentrate (BGPC). Quality characteristics of the resultant product was analysed to ascertain its sensory, physical and chemical properties. Acceptable cakes were produced from 70% wheat flour, 20% plantain flour and 10% BGPC with regards to colour which compared favourably with sample A (100% WF) except F and G samples which differs significantly with other samples. The texture of the cakes was also acceptable but F and G samples (6.5 and 6.4), respectively shows significant difference (p < 0.05) compared to others. The taste and overall acceptability were not significantly different at all levels of BGPC enrichment compared to sample A. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in all the samples in terms of the height except sample B with the value of 2.5cm. Highest weight of 194.2g was observed for sample B which was significantly different (p < 0.05) compared to other samples. Increase in BGPC further improved the volume and specific volume of the cake to 524cm3 and 3.19cm3/100g (sample G), respectively. A reduction in the values of carbohydrate, moisture and energy content of the cakes were observed at increased levels of protein concentrate. Protein content of the cakes was observed to improve progressively at increasing levels of enrichment and showed significant differences up to sample D (10.4%) while the highest protein value was reported at sample G (13.2%) with 30% protein concentrate. This confirms that the developed cakes have a better nutritional value than the control and could be used to combat protein energy – malnutrition.
Keywords: Bambara groundnut, Cakes, protein concentrate, unripe plantain, wheat flour
