QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE TOMATO PASTE BRANDS IN NIGERIA.


QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE TOMATO PASTE BRANDS IN NIGERIA.

CHAPTER ONE 1.1 Background to the Study  

Tomato is an annual vegetable commonly consumed in Nigeria. It is widely distributed crop which can be grown on several climates and this confers on the crop its ability to survive at various temperatures. More than 30% of global tomato is grown from Mediterranean (Ahmet and Vedat, 2009). According to Powell et al ., (2003), tomato is grown with a view to consuming it fresh or processing it into other forms such as paste or puree. A good number of tomato paste currently sold in Nigeria are mostly supplied from China and other Asian countries.

Studies had shown that lycopene from processed tomatoes was better absorbed than lycopene from fresh tomatoes (Anonymous, 1997). This suggests that processed tomato products such as tomato sauce, tomato paste, and ketchup are better sources of this antioxidant. It has also been reported that lycopene from tomato paste is 2.5 times more bioavailable in humans than lycopene from fresh tomatoes especially when boiled with oil, a common medium in which tomato is prepared in this region of the world (Ahmet and Vedat, 2009). Recent reports have shown that lycopene helps prevent the development of some cancers, such as prostrate cancer (Anonymous, 1997). This implies that a commercially sold tomato paste should contain a good amount of this phytochemicals which should be able to benefit humans when consumed. Several parameters have been used to assess the quality of tomato paste. This include, the consistency, total solids content, titrable acidity, pH and levels of sugar (Ahmet and Vedat 2009; Lu et al., 2014).

Well-structured studies which examine the quality of different tomato brands sold in Nigeria are limited. However, available but unvalidated reports have repeatedly shown that many tomato brands imported into the country were adulterated with starch and colorants. Umeofia (2016) a leading chief executive in one of the tomato manufacturing components in Nigeria, has lamented that the country loses huge sum of money to importation of fake tomato products. Shehu (2013) also reported that Nigeria had turned into a dumping ground for fake and low quality tomato products imported from Asia. He further reported that the pace of importation of adulterated tomato sauce in the name of tomato paste is of great concern to stakeholders in the tomato industry.

1.2 Statement of the problem

The desire for imported goods has driven many Nigerians to relegate to the background of several products manufactured locally. Several manufacturers from across the globe have brought in fake and substandard products into the country believing that since most Nigerians prefer cheap products to costlier ones, reducing the quality of such products could attract more purchase and patronage. This has predisposed the nation to become a dumping ground for several substandard, fake and unhealthy products.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The major objective of the study is to assess the quality of commercially available Tomato paste brands in Nigeria. This is to be achieved through the following specific objectives:

(i) the determination of the biochemical properties of the tomato paste brands and

(ii) The microbiological assessment of the tomato paste brands.

1.4 Research Questions

(1) what is food quality?

(2) what are the various commercially available tomato paste brands in Nigeria?

(3) what are the various parameters that can be used for assessing tomato paste?

(4) what is the standard provided by the regulatory authority for assessing tomato paste quality?

1.5 Significance of the study

With poor regulatory systems and porous borders there is no doubt that it is the responsibility of researchers to generate evidence-based data and information which could be helpful in strengthening regulatory agencies, formulate better policies that will benefit the nation, improve public health and quality of life of citizens. Also, considering the lack of documented information on the quality assessment of commercially available tomato paste in the Nigerian market, the information generated would help consumers to make an informed decision when choosing available products.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The research focuses on the quality assessment of commercially available tomato paste brands in Nigeria.

1.7 Limitations of the Study

Only selected brands of commercially available tomato paste were procured for this research

 

.

QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE TOMATO PASTE BRANDS IN NIGERIA.



TYPE IN YOUR TOPIC AND CLICK SEARCH.






RESEARCHWAP.NET

Researchwap.net is an online repository for free project topics and research materials, articles and custom writing of research works. We’re an online resource centre that provides a vast database for students to access numerous research project topics and materials. Researchwap.net guides and assist Postgraduate, Undergraduate and Final Year Students with well researched and quality project topics, topic ideas, research guides and project materials. We’re reliable and trustworthy, and we really understand what is called “time factor”, that is why we’ve simplified the process so that students can get their research projects ready on time. Our platform provides more educational services, such as hiring a writer, research analysis, and software for computer science research and we also seriously adhere to a timely delivery.

TESTIMONIES FROM OUR CLIENTS


Please feel free to carefully review some written and captured responses from our satisfied clients.

  • "Exceptionally outstanding. Highly recommend for all who wish to have effective and excellent project defence. Easily Accessable, Affordable, Effective and effective."

    Debby Henry George, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA.
  • "I saw this website on facebook page and I did not even bother since I was in a hurry to complete my project. But I am totally amazed that when I visited the website and saw the topic I was looking for and I decided to give a try and now I have received it within an hour after ordering the material. Am grateful guys!"

    Hilary Yusuf, United States International University Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.
  • "Researchwap.net is a website I recommend to all student and researchers within and outside the country. The web owners are doing great job and I appreciate them for that. Once again, thank you very much "researchwap.net" and God bless you and your business! ."

    Debby Henry George, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA.
  • "Great User Experience, Nice flows and Superb functionalities.The app is indeed a great tech innovation for greasing the wheels of final year, research and other pedagogical related project works. A trial would definitely convince you."

    Lamilare Valentine, Kwame Nkrumah University, Kumasi, Ghana.
  • "I love what you guys are doing, your material guided me well through my research. Thank you for helping me achieve academic success."

    Sampson, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
  • "researchwap.com is God-sent! I got good grades in my seminar and project with the help of your service, thank you soooooo much."

    Cynthia, Akwa Ibom State University .
  • "Sorry, it was in my spam folder all along, I should have looked it up properly first. Please keep up the good work, your team is quite commited. Am grateful...I will certainly refer my friends too."

    Elizabeth, Obafemi Awolowo University
  • "Am happy the defense went well, thanks to your articles. I may not be able to express how grateful I am for all your assistance, but on my honour, I owe you guys a good number of referrals. Thank you once again."

    Ali Olanrewaju, Lagos State University.
  • "My Dear Researchwap, initially I never believed one can actually do honest business transactions with Nigerians online until i stumbled into your website. You have broken a new legacy of record as far as am concerned. Keep up the good work!"

    Willie Ekereobong, University of Port Harcourt.
  • "WOW, SO IT'S TRUE??!! I can't believe I got this quality work for just 3k...I thought it was scam ooo. I wouldn't mind if it goes for over 5k, its worth it. Thank you!"

    Theressa, Igbinedion University.
  • "I did not see my project topic on your website so I decided to call your customer care number, the attention I got was epic! I got help from the beginning to the end of my project in just 3 days, they even taught me how to defend my project and I got a 'B' at the end. Thank you so much researchwap.com, infact, I owe my graduating well today to you guys...."

    Joseph, Abia state Polytechnic.
  • "My friend told me about ResearchWap website, I doubted her until I saw her receive her full project in less than 15 miniutes, I tried mine too and got it same, right now, am telling everyone in my school about researchwap.com, no one has to suffer any more writing their project. Thank you for making life easy for me and my fellow students... Keep up the good work"

    Christiana, Landmark University .
  • "I wish I knew you guys when I wrote my first degree project, it took so much time and effort then. Now, with just a click of a button, I got my complete project in less than 15 minutes. You guys are too amazing!."

    Musa, Federal University of Technology Minna
  • "I was scared at first when I saw your website but I decided to risk my last 3k and surprisingly I got my complete project in my email box instantly. This is so nice!!!."

    Ali Obafemi, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Niger State.
  • To contribute to our success story, send us a feedback or please kindly call 2348037664978.
    Then your comment and contact will be published here also with your consent.

    Thank you for choosing researchwap.com.