Development and Comparative Assessment of Ready-To-Reconstitute Zobo Products.

Hibiscus sabdariffa (zobo) is a widely consumed beverage with appreciable nutritional and phytochemical properties, but its conventional preparation is associated with limited convenience and storage stability. This study developed and evaluated ready-to-reconstitute zobo products in the forms of instant zobo powder (ZDP), zobo tea bag (ZTB), and freshly prepared zobo drink (ZFD). The products were evaluated for proximate composition, physicochemical and functional properties, mineral and heavy-metal composition, microbiological quality, colour characteristics, phytochemical composition, anti-nutritional factors and sensory acceptability. Results showed that ZDP generally exhibited higher ash (0.82%), protein (0.61%), carbohydrate (26.12%), energy (40.12 kcal/100 mL), mineral contents, total phenolic content (38.46 mg/100 mL) and total flavonoid content (29.84 mg/100 mL) than ZTB and ZFD. ZDP also demonstrated superior functional properties, with water solubility index of 91.52%, wettability of 24.35 s and reconstitution index of 96.84%. The products were acidic, with pH values of 2.84, 2.96 and 2.79 for ZDP, ZTB and ZFD, respectively. Lead, arsenic and chromium were detected at low levels, while cadmium and mercury were not detected. Total viable and yeast/mould counts were highest in ZFD, whereas coliforms, Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. were not detected in any sample. Sensory evaluation showed high acceptability of ZDP (8.39) and ZFD (8.52), while ZTB recorded 7.39. The study demonstrated that processing zobo into instant powder produced a convenient product with good reconstitution characteristics, appreciable phytochemical content and high sensory acceptability. ZDP is therefore recommended as a promising value-added alternative to conventionally prepared zobo, subject to appropriate moisture control and storage conditions.

Hibiscus sabdariffa; zobo; instant powder

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