Effect of traditional Sudanese processing of kisra bread and hulu-mur drink on their thiamine, riboflavin and mineral contents

The effect of fermentation, germination and heating on the levels of thiamine, riboflavin and some mineral elements was studied in Sudanese kisra bread and hulu-mur drink prepared from the two sorghum cultivars dabar and fetarita, consecutively. Fermentation of kisra increased riboflavin but decreased thiamine significantly (p < 0.01), whereas fermentation of hulu-mur reduced the levels of both vitamins significantly (p < 0.01). Germination of fetarita grains for 6 days caused a significant (p < 0.01) increase of riboflavin (700%) and a significant (p < 0.01) reduction of thiamine (42%). Riboflavin was not affected by baking of kisra and thiamine level was slightly reduced. Hulu-mur baking caused significant (p < 0.01) reduction of both thiamine and riboflavin. Fermentation caused no significant effect (p < 0.01) on the mineral contents of kisra or hulu-mur. Addition of spices to hulu-mur dough caused significant increases (p < 0.01) of strontium (80%), calcium (60%) and iron (35%). Germination of fetarita grains caused significant increases (p < 0.01) of zinc (90%), lead (65%) and molybdenum (58%). Baking of kisra and hulu-mur did not cause any significant loss (p < 0.01) in the contents of minerals. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.