1.1 Introduction
Jam is a mixture of fruit boiled with sugar and allowed to congeal. It is often spread on bread, biscuit and ice-cream. Bread and biscuit are types of food made from flour and water that is mixed together and then baked (Longman Dictionary). Jam is a type of fruit preserve (Wiktionary, 2021).
Fruit jams are preserved fruits and sugar normally canned or sealed for long-term storage. Jam making, involves the disruption of the fruits tissues followed by heating with added water and sugar to activate its pectin before being put into containers. The sugar and the fruits used in producing jam varies according to the type of fruit and its ripeness. When the temperature of the mixture reaches 104oc the acid and the pectin reacts with the sugar (Jones and Layner 2003).
Normally, jam preparation requires the addition of commercial or natural pectin as a gelling agent (Madhave and Pushpalatha, 2002). The use of ingredients and how the jams are prepared actually determine the type of jam produced.
Jams are one of the most popular food products because of their low cost, all year long availability and organoleptic properties (Galkowska and Zagorska, 2010). Traditionally, jams were first produced as an effort to preserve fruits during off-season for consumption.
Nevertheless, processed product such as jams tend to have low nutritional values when compared to fresh fruits for an example, jam normally have lower Vitamin C content compared to the fresh fruits. This is due to exposure to the heat generated during processing (Jawaheer et al, 2013). Fruit such as lemon, apples, cranberries, banana, pineapple and orange are used in production of jam (Burkill, 1997).
Banana fruit is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows from the underground rhizome. It flourishes well under tropical, moisture-rich, humid, low-lying farmlands. Banana fruit is composed of soft, easily digestible flesh made up of simple sugars like fructose and sucrose that upon consumption instantly replenishes energy and revitalizes the body. It is also one of the recommended supplement food included in the treatment plan for under-nourished children.
1.2 Statement of Problems
Fruits are difficult to keep for a considerable length of time, thus ripe fruits are utilized either as fresh fruit or processed into jam and other types of products. Most fruits are perishable in their natural state after harvest; deterioration sets in almost immediately due to metabolic activities which continue even after harvest.
The perishable nature makes it difficult to store and preserve fruits, hence, there is gradual loss of flavor and nutritional value. Large quantities of fruits are produced and wasted in Nigeria and many other developing tropical countries.
1.3 Aims and Objective of Study
The aim of the study is to determine the Production process of jam from Banana, Apple and Pawpaw. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To assess the nutritive value of produced composite jam from banana.
- To evaluate the general acceptability of composite jam.
1.4 Significance of Study
The study will help to enhance the nutritional composition, the colour and flavor of the jam and these fruits are rich in antioxidant, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, many essential B-complex Vitamin such as folic acid which helps in production of a highly nutritive jam.
It is also highly essential to process and preserve fruits in order to guarantee regular supply of its products at affordable prices. This will reduce post-harvest losses and prolong the shelf life of the product; crops including fruits and vegetable are processed for different reasons.
1.5 Scope of Study
The Study focuses on the Production of Jam using Banana and its Nutritive Value.
1.6 Origin, History Of Cultivate Of Banana (Musa Nagensium)
Edible Musa spp. Originated in south eastern Asia from the India east and south to northern Australia, early Filipinos probably spread banana east word to the pacific Island, includes Hawaii, prior to recorded history. Westward, banana like followed the major trade routes that transported other fruits and it's known to have arrived east Africa around 500 AD. Banana were met carried to Europe until the 10th century, and Portugal's traders obtained it from wets Africa not Asia, during the age of discovery. Plants were taken from West Africa to the Canary Islands and South America in 10th century, and spread throughout the Caribbean with settlements of the area in the 16th — 17th centuries. Bananas are now grown patriotically more countries than any other fruits crop in the world.
1.7 Economic Importance of Banana (Musa Nagensium)
Musa is the type of genus of the banana family (Musaccae), which contains 25 — 80 specie of banana and plantain. Both are important throughout the world for food, shelter, medicine and even clothing. In production, banana is the second largest fruit crop in the world, grown in warm tropical climate across the globe. Banana and plantain are often said to grow on trees, but actually it's a pseudo stern (false stem). The fruit also develops without pollination, which means that banana and plantains are “Virgin” Fruits, and are technically berries.
Their evident importance bananas and plantains necessary worldwide. Their leaves are used for plates, homemade umbrella and thatching (roofing); the pseudostems are made into rafts and benches. The fibers obtains from the pseudostem are used for fishing line in west Africa and fibric in the Philippines. In India, some banana fiber is even made into paper. Ash of dried peels from both bananas and plantain is used for dyeing and making of soap.
Various parts of the banana plant are medicinal, and used to treat anything from dysentery to burns and insect bites. These plants also contain natural antibiotics and fungicides and are used as animal food and fertilizer.
1.8 Nutritive Value of Banana (Musa Nagensium)
Besides its YUM factor, banana is a power house of nutrients. All its nutritional value and heat benefits are preserved in a natural way by its peel.
Banana is easily digestible and has many health benefits to other. Below is some of it nutritive benefits.
Potassium: A single medium sized banana contains approximately 467mg of potassium and only a negligible 1mg of sodium. Potassium is important for regulating blood pressure and decreasing the risk of high blood pressure and it's related conditions.
Calcium: Rich in calcium, 100g banana capable of supplying the body with 5mg of calcium. Calcium is essential for the information, as well as upkeep of strong bone.
…
