QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF SHEA BUTTER FROM DIFFERENT PROCESSING METHODS IN MOKWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NIGER STATE

The Shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) has emerged as an essential economic resource in Nigeria's savanna region, providing crucial domestic and industrial applications. Traditionally processed by rural communities, Shea butter production remains labour-intensive, affecting quality due to inconsistent methods and equipment used. As global demand for Shea butter rises, ensuring quality standards is essential for both local consumption and international markets. The study investigates the impact of different processing methods on the quality of Shea butter produced in Mokwa, Local Government Area of Niger State. The results showed that 8.84, 8.57, 8.49, and 8.28kg were the average weight for, Air-dried, Mechanized, Sun-dried and Oven-dried methods of processing respectively. However, the Air-dried method had 1.70kg of Shea butter being the highest yield, while 1.30, 1.25 and 1.12kg were the yield of Oven-dried, Sun-dried and Mechanized methods respectively. Air-dried method practiced by rural processors is profitable when Shea fruits were handled hygienically throughout the processing period of the Shea butter. Also, the results showed that the average proximate compositions of each of the processing methods were: 24.70%, 24.03%, 21.75% and 20.51% for Oven-dried, Mechanized, Sun-dried and Air-dried respectively. Oven-dried method had higher level of proximate composition, while Air-dried method had the lowest. The average mean Mineral compositions of the Shea butter were: 3.35%, 2.82%, 2.62% and 2.23% for Mechanized, Sun-dried, Air-dried and Oven-dried respectively. It was observed that Mechanized method improved better in Mineral composition compared to other methods of processing Shea butter. The average mean of the Vitamin A were: 84.30%, 81.10%, 68.40% and 60.40% for Oven-dried, Mechanized, Sun-dried and Air-dried methods of processing respectively. Though, Oven-dried method gave the highest Vitamin A composition, all the methods possessed high level of Vitamin A.