INTRODUCTION

Corn pap, commonly known as Akamu, ogi, or Eko, is a fermented cereal pudding from Nigeria,
typically made from maize.

Due to its high potassium content and lack of sodium, pap helps to keep high blood pressure
under control. Due to its high water content, pap aids in the restoration of body fluid and the
prevention of dehydration. It is quite beneficial to someone who is suffering from diarrhea.

Ogi (or Akamu) is a fermented cereal pudding from Nigeria, typically made from maize, … It is
then boiled into a pap, or cooked to make a creamy pudding.

Pap is an excellent source of potassium and contains zero amount of sodium, making it a perfect
food for people with high blood pressure and those who want to maintain healthy blood pressure
or avoid developing hypertension. Another advantage of taking potassium-rich foods like pap is
that it helps in lessening the effects of sodium in the body while also easing tension in your blood
vessel walls, thus shielding you against myriads of health conditions that could’ve to sprout
forth.

Ever wondered why pap is one of the most recommended foods for nursing mothers? Pap
contains a high amount of water and some other components that promote an easy and adequate
flow of breast milk for lactating mothers. It also helps in regaining strength after suffering from
one illness or the other, not forgetting that it is again an easy-to-digest food – a friend to the
digestive system.

Pap is an excellent source of carbohydrates, one of the nutrients your body relies heavily on for
adequate energy. Carbohydrate-rich foods like pap do not only help your body with energy but
also promote mental sharpness and accelerate the metabolism of fat for energy.

Pap is one of the easily digestible foods we have around us. It allows your body to easily get rid
of unwanted elements and substances simply by increasing the rate at which you urinate.
Another benefit of consuming easily digestible foods is that they place less stress on the
digestive system and are ideal for convalescence individuals who are recovering from illness.

The kidneys are among the most vital organs of the body, such that any damage around this
region can trigger adverse effects in the human system. Uric acid, urea, toxins, waste, and other
harmful substances are some of the things that can damage this crucial organ.

Pap is one of the healthy Nigerian foods for toddlers. It is a popular weaning meal introduced to
babies in Nigeria. Apart from the fact that it is highly economical, easy to prepare, and easy to
digest, it also very nutritional to the growing child.
Pap could also be made from corn, millet or sorghum; and is also known as koko, oka and
akamu, depending on what parts of the region you are.

WHAT IS MAIZE (CORN)?

Maize (Zea mays L.) are a group of cereal grains that belong to the Poaceae family, commonly

known as the grass family. It is the American Indian word for corn, which literally means "that

which sustains life". It is, the third leading annual crop in the world after rice and wheat (Sandhu,

Singh, & Malhi, 2007). It provides nutrients for humans and animals and serves as a basic raw

material for the production of starch, oil, protein, alcoholic beverages, food sweeteners and, more

recently, fuel.

Maize originated in Mexico over 9,000 years ago (1500 BC) from a wild grass known as

Teosinte .It was introduced into Africa around 1500 AD, spreading to every corner of the

continent

within a relatively short period and is now Africa’s most important cereal crop.

This crop is rich in fibre, vitamins, minerals, protein and carbohydrates, containing

approximately 72% starch, 10% protein, and 4% fat, supplying an energy density of 365

Kcal/100g . In Africa, where maize is mainly used for human consumption, dietary preferences,

processing and mode of preparation affect the contributions of maize to human nutrition.

Maize can be both a vegetable and whole grains for example, sweet corn we cook is usually

considered a vegetable whereas, the dry seeds used for popcorn are classified as whole grains.

Corn is usually white or yellow but also comes in red, purple and blue. All these are sources

of anti-oxidants and starch.

WHAT IS MILLET?

Millets are a group of cereal grains that belong to the Poaceae family, commonly known as the

grass family. It’s widely common and consumed in developing countries throughout Africa and

Asia. It was one of the first grains to be domesticated and was a staple food in Africa and Asia

for thousands of years. While it may look like a seed, its nutritional value is similar to that of

sorghum and other cereals. Millet ranks as the sixth most important grain in the world, sustaining

more than a third of the world’s population. It provides nutrients for humans and was mostly

used as fodder for animals and in birdseed. Millet is used today in bread, beer, cereal making and

other dishes.

Millet is said to have originated in North Africa, specifically in Ethiopia, where it has been
consumed since prehistoric times.
Many of the most powerful health benefits millet has to offer are related to its fibre content.

For example, the high fibre levels found in millet may help reduce Low-Density Lipoprotein

(LDL) or “bad” cholesterol while boosting High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) or “good”

cholesterol. In addition to improving cholesterol levels, the fibre content of millet supports a

healthy heart by reducing blood pressure and, in doing so, reducing the risk of heart attack and

stroke.

Millets are highly nutritious, non-glutinous and non-acid-forming foods. It is rich in minerals like

calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium as well as essential

vitamins like folate, pantothenic acid, niacin, riboflavin, and Vitamins B6, C, E, and K. They

contain 7-12% protein, 2-5% fat, 65-75% carbohydrates and 15-20% dietary fibre.
CLASSIFICATION OF MAIZE AND MILLET

MAIZE MILLET

Kingdom Plantae Plantae

Phylum Tracheophytes Tracheophytes

Division Magnoliophyte Magnoliophyta

(Angiosperms) (Angiosperms)

Class Liliopsida (Monocots) Liliopsida (Monocots)

Clade Commelinids Commelinids

Subclass Poales Poales

Family Poaceae Poaceae

Subfamily Panicoideae Panicoidae

Genus Zea Panicum L.

Species Zea mays Panicum miliaceum L.

WHAT IS GUINEA CORN?
It is one of the leading cereal crops worldwide and is the fifth-highest produced crop after
maize, wheat, rice, and barley.

Guinea corn originated from Africa where it is a staple food in many homes and serves as
the first-choice weaning food for infants. It is commonly called guinea corn or dawa in
Nigeria and jowar in India.

This highly neglected crop is rich fiber and phenolic compounds both known to prevent
heart diseases and metabolic disorders.

Guinea corn is a perfect diet because it’s incredibly rich in protein, which is the primary building
material for your body, and contains huge amounts of dietary fiber, which helps you feel fuller
without overeating.

Eating guinea corn helps improve your digestive health as the high content of dietary fiber in it
soothes various digestive problems like constipation, diarrhea, and bloating. .
It has also been proven to help lower bad cholesterol level in blood, as well as increases the level
of good cholesterol, preventing a variety of cardiovascular diseases. .
 Kingdom: Plantae

Clade: Tracheophytes

Clade: Angiosperms

Clade: Monocots

Clade: Commelinids

Order: Poales

Family: Poaceae

Subfamil Panicoideae
y:

Supertrib Andropogonoda
e: e

Tribe: Andropogoneae

Subtribe: Saccharinae

Genus: Sorghum

WHAT IS GINGER
Ginger is a tropical flowering plant that originally grew in Southeast Asia
but is now widely available from growers around the world. It’s classified
as a member of the Zingiberaceae family, making it a close relative
of turmeric. (3) The scientific name for ginger is Zingiber officinale, which is
thought to come from the Sanskrit name for the spice (singabera).
Ginger not only adds delicious flavor to food — it’s also full of nutrients.
People have been using the root for cooking and healing for thousands of
years.

Ancient writings from Rome, Greece, China, and Arab countries all
describe ginger’s uses as a medicine. It was especially popular in Asian
medicine as a treatment for stomach issues, including nausea and
diarrhea. Other traditional medical uses for ginger include treating muscle
and joint pain, cold and flu symptoms, stomach pain, menstrual cramps,
and skin burns. (1,2)

Today, people still consider ginger a natural way to soothe an upset

stomach, and there’s research to back up its health benefits. Ginger is also
used in tons of modern recipes
Kingdom Plantae
:

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Liliopsida

Order: Zingiberales

Family: Zingiberaceae

Genus: Zingiber

Species: Z. officinale

MATERIALS AND METHODS OF PROCESSING PAP.

Prior to this time pap has been in wet form since it's soaked in water before and after grinding
and then extracted. This makes preservation hectic as one has to filter and replace the water daily
to prevent spoilage. Another from of preservation is storing it in the refrigerator which is
unreliable due to the epileptic power situation in the country.
A new, better and easier method of preparation and preservation has emerged. This method is
faster and more effective. Its in a dry and powdered form
PLAIN PAP
The corn used must be dry. Fresh corn cannot form the right kind of starch for making pap. We
use yellow dry corn for making yellow pap and white (off-white) corn for making white pap.
MATERIALS
The materials needed to produce plain maize pap are:
• 7.6kg of yellow corn
• Water
• A big bowl
• Cotton bag 
• Chiffon cloth

 Methods:
Place the maize in a big bowl that has a lid.
1. Soak maize in a lot of water, cover, and store it in a warm place. Allow to ferment till tender
(This takes 3 - 5 days). Change the water every 12 hours.
2. After 3 - 5 days, drain out the water and wash the corn. Blend the maize in a heavy-duty
blender or in a commercial grinder to get a paste.
3. Using cheesecloth(pap bag) , sieve out the chaff from the maize starch.
4. Allow the maize starch to sit for another couple of hours so that the water comes out and is
continually drained out. This gives you a thick mixture and that distinctive sour taste associated
with Pap.
5. Put it into a clean cotton bag. Squeeze it tightly to remove excess water. 
6. Place the cotton bag on a flat elevated surface so that excess water could drain off. 
7. Break the pap into small pieces and spread in a tray to sun dry for at least 2 days.
8.  Ensure to turn at intervals to get them all properly dried.
It is very very important that your pap dries properly to avoid formation of mould.
9.Allow to cool before grinding in a grinder.
10. Sieve to get a fine powder and store it in a dry airtight container.
MIXED PAP
MATERIALS
Materials needed for making mixed pap:
1.9kg of dry yellow
3.8kg of Guinea corn
3.8kg of Millet
Ginger
• Water
• Large chiffon cloth
• Thick cotton bag (normally salt bags washed thoroughly with no trace of salt)
• Big bowl
Methods 
Step 1: Wash the corn, guinea corn and millet separately to remove the bad grains, sand, stones
and chaff. Pour all into a bowl and add enough water to cover it. Leave it for 2-3 days ensuring
you rinse and change the water everyday.

Step 2: Blend the grains together with  the flavouring (ginger) and sufficient water in a
commercial grinding mill as it needs to be blended into a paste or in a powerful blender. 

Step 3: Tie the large cheese cloth tightly round your big bowl making sure the bowl can still
balance on a flat surface to enable you start the main task. Scoop small amounts of the blended
mixture into the cheese cloth. Using your hands and little amount of water, start sieving to get
the corn paste pass through the chiffon cloth into the bowl.  Keep sieving until the leftover is
completely a dry chaff. 

Step 4: If you used a blender that didn’t blend the mixture very smoothly, the chaff may not be
dry at this time and will contain some more paste. Put it back in the blender, add a little water to
blend more and then continue with step 3.
Step 5: Once you’ve finished sieving all the mixture, gently untie the chiffon cloth from the
bowl. Cover and leave the bowl for about 3 hours to allow the mixture settle. After that, the
water above will be completely clear and ready to be gently drained and you have your Pap at the
bottom.
Step 6: After draining off the water, stir the pap well and pour it into the clean cotton bag.
Squeeze it tightly to remove excess water and using a rope or the end of the bag, tie it up in a
way that it can squeeze more water out. Place the pap bag on a flat elevated surface. 

Step 7: Once the water is drained, untie your bag and you have your pap. 

Step 8: Break the pap into small pieces.

Step 9: Spread in a tray or an oven tray if using an oven or dehydrator.

Step 10: Allow to sun dry for at least 2 days. If using a dehydrator, set it to the recommended
temperature and time. 

Step 11: Ensure to turn it at intervals to get them all properly dried.

Step 12: allow to cool before grinding in a grinder.

Step 13: Sieve to get the fine powder and store it in a dry airtight container.

Nutritional Value

Nutritional value is the measure of a well-balanced ratio of the essential nutrients;

carbohydrates, fats, protein, minerals and vitamins in items of food or diet concerning the
nutrient requirements of their consumer. It also states how much energy a product contains and
the impact of the constituents on body.

Nutritional value of the plain pap

Fermented White Maize porridge (Ogi) is a popular gruel in Nigeria. A gruel is a thin or watery
porridge.

It has been found that pap is rich in essential properties, including carbohydrate, Vitamins [A,
B5, B3, B1, riboflavin, C), folic acid, potassium, chromium, selenium, zinc, phosphorus, and
magnesium. It also contained high contents of amino acids such as tryptophan, phenylalanine,
isoleucine, leucine, lysine and valine. 
The amount of calories in 100g of Fermented White maize gruel (Ogi) is 51kg.

Average portion size of Pap consumed in the South West of Nigeria is 526.4g (Sanusi and
Olurin, 2012).

Nutritional Info Per 100g

NAME AMOUNT UNIT

Energy 51 kcal

Water 87.6 g

Protein 1.1 g

Fat 1.0 g

Carbohydrate 8.8 g

Total Dietary Fibre  1.4 g

Calcium 9 mg

Iron 4.2 mg

Magnesium 9 mg

Phosphorus 59 mg

Potassium 14 mg

Sodium 15 mg

Zinc 0.66 mg

Copper 0.39 mg

Vitamin A 0 mcg
 Beta-Carotene
0 mcg
Equivalent

Vitamin D 0 mcg

Vitamin E 0 mg

Thiamine 0.05 mg

Riboflavin 0.01 mg

Niacin 0.3 mg

Vitamin B6 0.04 mg

Folate 6 mcg

Vitamin B12 0 mcg

Vitamin C 0 mg

Cholesterol 0 mg

Saturated Fat 0.16 g

Mono Unsaturated
0.26 g
Fatty Acid

Poly Unsaturated
0.46 g
Fatty Acid

Phytate 42 mg

It is important to note that the % Daily value(DV) tells how much a nutrient in a serving of food
contributes to a daily diet. 2000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutritional value of the mixed pap
The mixed pap constitutes
Maize
Millet
Guinea corn and
Ginger
Nutritive value of Millet

Table: Nutrients in 1 cup (174 grams) of

millet

Nutrient Amount

Calories 207

Protein 6.1 grams

Fiber 2.3 grams

Fat 1.7 grams

Carbohydrates 41.2 mg

Calcium 5.2 mg

Iron 1.1 mg

Niacin 2.31 mg

Magnesium 76.6 mg

Phosphorus 174 mg
 Table: Nutrients in 1 cup (174 grams) of
millet

Nutrient Amount

Potassium 108 mg

Nutritive value of Guinea corn

Guinea Corn is an underrated, nutrient-rich cereal grain. Half a cup of uncooked sorghum (100
grams) provides (3Trusted Source):
 Calories: 329

 Protein: 11 grams

 Fat: 3 grams

 Carbohydrates: 72 grams

 Fiber: 7 grams

Guinea Corn is also a good source of the following micronutrients:

 vitamin B1 (thiamin)

 vitamin B6

 copper

 iron

 magnesium

 phosphorus

 potassium

 selenium

 zinc

Nutritive value of Ginger

1 tablespoon of fresh ginger has:

  5 calories
 1 gram (g) of carbohydrate
 0.1 g of dietary fiber
 0.1 g of protein
 0 g fat
 0.1 g of sugar

In addition to the above division, ginger is also revered for the number of vitamins and minerals
that it contains. These include: 

 Iron 
 Vitamin C 
 Phosphorus
 Folate 
 Niacin 
 Vitamin B3 
 Vitamin B6 
 Potassium 
 Magnesium 
 Zinc
 Riboflavin 

Health benefits and uses of pap

1.High Fiber diet
Akamu is made from cereals which are very rich sources of fiber. Eating high-fiber food helps
you feel fuller for longer, lowers your cholesterol, and keeps your digestive system healthy.
High-fiber foods lower your risk of developing obesity, heart disease, and cancer. For pregnant
women, drinking akamu during pregnancy can benefit from its fiber content because;

 Fiber helps keep pregnancy weight gain under control.

  Fiber helps prevent constipation during pregnancy.
 Fiber helps regulate your blood sugar during pregnancy.
 Fiber helps reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease during pregnancy.

2.»  It’s Low Sodium

Akamu is low in sodium, excess sodium increases blood pressure because it holds excess fluid in
the body, and that creates an added burden on the heart. Too much sodium will increase your risk
of stroke, heart failure, osteoporosis, stomach cancer, and kidney disease. Several studies
indicate that corn and millets contain magnesium which helps to lower blood pressure and
reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
 3.  Akamu is a good source of Potassium
Akamu is an excellent source of potassium, this means that it helps to maintain normal blood
pressure effortlessly, which makes it a perfect food for people who are hypertensive and those
who do not want to develop high blood pressure. Generally, potassium helps regulate fluid
balance, muscle contractions, and nerve signals. 

4.Good source of other nutrients

Akamu is a good source of many other vital nutrients the body needs. Millets and corn contain
lots of macro and micronutrients which include magnesium, protein, phosphorus, carbohydrates,
copper, manganese, dietary fiber, fats, water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins, tryptophan,
potassium, and calcium. 

5. Promotes quality of sleep

Certainly, getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining excellent health. Tryptophan, which
is found in millet or corn pap, raises the body’s serotonin levels. Serotonin aids in the reduction
of stress. It has been demonstrated that consuming pap before bed improves sleep.

6.Boosts Breast Milk Production in Nursing Mothers:

Ogi /Akamu provide nutrients, notably a high water content that is sufficient to meet a new
mother’s daily needs. Breastfeeding mothers use it to facilitate the flow of breast milk.

7.It Aids Digestion

Pap or Akamu is typically advised for children and every other person both young and old. The
smooth texture of pap, Ogi made from corn or millet facilitates digestion easily.

8.Boosts Energy
A lot of carbs are found in cereals like corn pap. A suitable amount of energy is provided by
foods high in carbohydrates. Drinking pap, Akamu makes you feel more energised and, if
consumed for breakfast, keeps you feeling energized throughout day.

9. Increase both male and female fertility

Traditionally it is believed that drinking milk and pap boosts sperm count and lengthens a man’s
time in bed. In women, akamu controls flow and promotes ovulation.

10.Pap is good for babies and toddlers

One of the best natural food for babies in Nigeria is pap. A toddler in Nigeria can drink this
common weaning meal. In addition to being relatively affordable, it is also simple to
prepare, digest easily, and incredibly nourishing for a growing baby.
Major nutritional difference between plain pap and mixed pap
When it comes to the nutritional benefit, brown pap has an edge over white pap. White corn has
more fat content than mixed corn (which is used to make brown pap). Mixed corn contains more
essential micronutrients than white corn. Micronutrients like calcium, Niacin and iron.
Mixed pap is also essential for diabetic patient due to the fact that it does not cause fluctuations
in blood sugar levels.

 Mixed pap is higher than Maize in Copper, calcium, Manganese, Iron, Phosphorus, Fiber,

Vitamin B6, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B3, Magnesium, and Vitamin B2.

 Mixed pap covers our daily need of Copper 77% more than Maize.

 The presence of ginger increases the medicinal benefits by; alleviating stomach upset and

menstrual cramps, boost immunity, treats muscle and joint pain,e.t.c.

Side Effects of Drinking Pap (Akamu)
Made from corn, sorghum or millet, pap is loaded with lots of nutrients that gives health benefits.
However, in as much as it gives health benefits, it can cause side effects, especially when
consumed in excessive amounts.

When consumed in excessive amounts, substances such as glyphosate and aresenic can impair
the functioning of the thyroid gland. Furthermore, pap or akamu made from millet can take a
while to digest due to the presence of fiber in high amounts. It is advisable that those who are
intolerant to cereals should stay away from consuming pap or akamu.

It is also important to note that adding too much sugar in your pap can be detrimental to your
health, particularly to those with diabetes. To those without diabetes, it can increase your risk of
having diabetes.

To ulcer patients, taking pap with fried or spicy foods can cause pain, as they can worsen the
ulcer by irritating the open sores, and triggering stomach acid.

Economic important
1.It aids poverty alleviation as this can be used as a source of income to business owners
2.Maize processing(pap) can prolong maize life and helps in proper utilisation of the crop

3.It involves low cost of maintenance

4.Maize processing (pap) can replace other product; e.g, custard and reduce the import of such

products. Pap helps in increasing the value of the maize.

5.Pap business bring about a high profit margin

6.It is cheap and affordable