YIELD, PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SCENT LEAF (OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM L.)

ABSTRACT

This research work was conducted to determine the yield, physical properties and chemical composition of scent leaf protein concentrate and bagasse obtained using two different milling method. Result showed that the yield of scent leaf protein concentrate obtained via dry milling was significantly higher than that of scent leaf protein Concentrate obtained via wet milling. Thus, 100kg dry matter of scent leaf is expected to yield an average of 12.513kg of SLPC, using dry milling method. For every 100kg of dry matter an average yield of SLPC expected is 7.884kg when wet milling method is used for scent leaf protein concentrate (LPC) production. The various fractions obtained from scent leaf processing include scent leaf protein concentrate (SLPC), scent leaf bagasse and whey. The colour of scent leaf protein concentrate from wet milling was observed to be dark green in colour, while the bagasse was green in colour, while SLPC from dry milling method was greenish brown, while bagasse from dry milling method was greenish brown. The whey from both milling method were greenish yellow. Scent leaf protein concentrate contained minerals such as Ca, Mg, Na, K, P ,Fe, Mn which are largely water soluble. The crude protein content of scent leaf concentrate is high, and there was no significant difference in proximate composition of scent leaf protein concentrate obtained from both milling methods.