PACKAGED ABBACHA IN NOODLE FORM AND CONSUMER PATRONAGE: AN IN-ROAD TO STABLE FOOD PACKAGING IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper aimed at exploring packaged local abbacha (African salad) in noodle form as an in road to stable food and Consumer Patronage in Nigeria. The paper adopted the meta-analysis involving the systematic survey of existing literature and applied the synthesizing of evidence. Thus, to follow the set objectives; the paper relied on empirically supported arguments and hypotheses proved already by previous studies. It was observed that the use of a good and appropriate packaging material can maintain African oil bean (AOB) and cassava chips quality during storage. It was shown from empirical papers reviewed that the AOB seeds were stored under room conditions using three different packaging materials. Samples were drawn monthly for seed viability test, water and oil content. The results showed that seed viability and oil content decreased during storage in all packaging materials. However, as was shown in various researches explored, the best packaging material for better AOB seed viability and oil content was polypropylena plastic bag. It was also revealed that the bag could still maintain the seed viability above 80% after 12 month storage but was reduced by 50% under unfavorable conditions. It was consequent upon this that the quest for this paper became eminent to explore the viability and possibility of alternative food packaging of a Nigerian delicacy and efficacy and in a manner to contribute to the body of literature on food packaging sustainability, sufficiency and patronage of made-in-Nigeria foods.