Comparative Studies of the Nutritional Compositions of Ten Powdered Adult Foods Commonly Consumed in Nigeria and Their Roles in Humans

The markets in Benin City are currently ‘saturated’ with processed powdered foods from several sources which include wheat, maize, tubers et cetera. The demand for these products are also on the increase. It was against this background that ten adult powdered foods were purchased from the open markets in Benin City to evaluate their nutritive values. Consequently, the proximate analysis of the foods was determined. Additionally, the micro- and macro- mineral contents were determined with the AOAC and AACC methods. The results indicate that the moisture content was high in all the foods ranging from 7.400.21 % to 13.830.09 %. The lipid, ash, protein, fibre and carbohydrate contents were in varied concentrations from one food type to the other. Overall, the foods had high carbohydrate contents ranging from 13.120.09 % to 86.270.08 %. Most of the minerals determined were present in all the foods but in varied concentrations. The foods had high concentrations of Na, K, Ca, Mg, N and P, while the rest minerals were in low concentrations. 70 % of the foods had no detectable Mn. The concentration of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, nitrogen and phosphorus ranged from 1.630.40 - 4.931.77 mg/kg, 1.260.18 - 93.001.73 mg/kg, 1.000.54 - 9.970.82 mg/kg, 1.0000 - 7.970.82 mg/kg, 1.120.53 - 8.601.82 mg/kg, and 1.350.03 - 99.140.02 mg/kg respectively. Statistical analysis of the results showed that there were significant differences in the nutrient detected in some of the foods. In conclusion, these powdered foods would be able to contribute to the dietary nutrients required daily for growth, energy utilization and storage in their consumers.