Proximate Analysis of Some Bread Samples Available in Calabar, Nigeria and Some Chemical Compounds in Them Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

Abstract

This study aimed at carrying out proximate analysis and determining the chemical compounds present in some bread samples consumed in Calabar, Nigeria in order to ascertain their nutritional value and quality to ensure food safety and safeguard the health of people. Four popular bread samples were collected from the shops and taken to University of Calabar Chemistry Laboratory for proximate analysis and their extract were also analyzed for some compounds using GC-MS. The results proximate analysis revealed the mean values to range between (4.46 - 6.39)% moisture, (2.78 – 8.89)% ash, (0.35 – 3.34)% fibre, (3.40 – 8.46)% protein, (1.63 – 4.17)% fat/lipid and (77.44 – 85.29)% carbohydrate. The GC-MS result revealed a lot of chemical compounds but the notable ones considered were: Hexadecane-1.13%, Octadecane-0.56%, Nonadecane-0.72%, 9-Eicosene-2.20%, 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol-0.30%, Dodecanoic acid-1.80%, Tetradecanoic acid-5.46%, Catechin-23.23%, Aspidoperidin-17-ol-0,47% & Dibutyl phthalate-2.67% for sample A, alpha-Muurolene-0.37%, beta-Bisabolene-10.87%, E,Z-alpha-Farnesene-2.97%, 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol-1.45%, Oleic acid-0.94%, (+)-epi-Biacyclosesquiphellandrene-2.07% & Apiole-0.16% for sample B, Tetradecane-1.24%, Octadecane-1.23%, 9-Eicosene-0.60%, Tetradecanoic acid-1.24%, Oleic acid-0.74%, Cis-9-Octadecenoic acid,hydroxyl-0.45%, 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol-7.74%, 1,2-Diacyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphocholine-0.86%, alpha-Muurolene-0.37% & Dibutyl phthalate-0.88% for sample C and Octadecane-0.83%, 9- Eicosene-0.60%, alpa-Muurolene-0.47%, Dodecanoic acid-0.86%, Oleic acid-1.34%, 3-Chloropropionic acid-0.72%, Cis-9- Octadecenoic acid, 2-hydroxy ethyl-0.64%, 1,2-Diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine-0.58% Catechin-18.54% for sample D. The bread samples have low moisture, moderate fat, protein, fibre content and high carbohydrate content making them nutritionally balanced. The presence of bioactive compounds like Catechin, alpha-Muurolene and beta-Bisabolene possessing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties with several health benefits makes the bread samples of good nutritional quality, while the detection of Dibutyl phthalate, a contaminant linked to packaging materials though little, raises health concern and monitoring by relevant regulatory agencies is needed.