Valorization of Pepper (Capsicum Chinenses Linn) Through Formulation and Production of Ready to Use Cubes from Cameroonian Local Spices

In Cameroon, pepper is consumed either fresh, in powder form, as pepper oil or as pepper sauce. The aim of this work was to propose added value of spices by formulated ready to use cubes facilitating the consumption of pepper and reducing its post-harvest losses. A survey was carried out in Ngaoundere-Cameroon to know the level of pepper consumption, and the ingredients commonly added in pepper sauces. A simplex lattrice mixture design was carried out to optimise the pepper cube formulation, which was further characterized. The sensory evaluation was done to select the best sample among those produced. From the survey, 76.92% of the population consume pepper. Onion, garlic, white pepper, and pebe were found to be the spices commonly used along with pepper sauces preparation. The pepper cubes were obtained by incorporating onion and pebe as additives into the pepper enrichment at different proportions. The pepper enrichment was formulated at the optimal condition of the basic ingredients which were 0.817, 0.133 and 0.05% respectively for pepper, white pepper and garlic. Sample 107 with the colours ranging between orange yellow and yellow, made up of 50 % pepper enrichment, 32.5% onion and 17.5% pebe was selected through sensorial analysis by the panellist as the best specimen. This retained product exhibited about 50% of DPPH scavenging activity compare to ascorbic acid taken as control.