ABSTRACT
The functional, nutritional, and physical characteristics of foam-mat dried Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) yogurt were investigated. Bambara groundnut powdered yogurt (BGNPY) was produced using Bambara groundnut milk powder (BGNMP) and Bambara groundnut milk (BGNM). BGNMP was reconstituted with water (1:5). The reconstituted BGN milk (BGNM-R) and original nonreconstituted BGNM (BGNM-NR) were inoculated with normal yogurt culture while held at a temperature of 45°C and incubated for 24 hr at 35°C. The BGN yogurts were dried employing the foam-mat drying process with gum arabic (6%) and methylcellulose (0.5%) as foaming agents and dried at 50°C for 24 hr. The BGN powdered yogurt from reconstituted milk (BGNPY-RM) and BGN powdered yogurt from nonreconstituted milk (BGNPY-NRM) were evaluated for functional, nutritional, thermal, and physical characteristics. Water absorption (1.27 and 1.31 g/g) and water solubility (73.3. and 71.22 100/g) index of the powdered yogurts did not differ significantly, while a significant (p < 0.05) difference was observed for the Tg of BGNPY-R and BGNPY-NR. Nutrient composition of BGNPY-R and BGNPY-NR had no significant (p > 0.05) difference, while ash differed significantly (p < 0.05). Particle size and particle size distribution of BGNPY-R and BGNPY-NR had no significant (p > 0.05) difference. Probiotic viability of BGNPY-R (7.2 log cfu/ml) remained above the minimum recommended dosage (6 log cfu/ml).
