Prof. Gregory Ikechukwu Onwuka

Prof. Gregory Ikechukwu Onwuka

Lecturer

onwuka.gregory@mouau.edu.ng

Room 248 – CAFST Complex

Brief Profile/ Work Experience

My research and teaching interest revolve around Food Chemistry, Toxicology, Analysis, Processing, Bioactives and Food Safety.

Over the years, I have been engaged in analytical research projects where I have employed modern analytical tools to isolate and identify major chemical components of food.
One of such engagements had taken me to North Dakota State University, United States of America as a Visiting Scientist where I taught and researched on the “Development of Extraction Protocols for Phenolic Compounds in African Pear Seed (Dacryodes Edulis) and African Wonderful Kola (Buchholzia coriecea).

I have enjoyed a number of research and scholarship awards from various agencies and governments including Israeli Government (MASHAV), American Government, Nigerian Government and Abia State Government.

In 2005 I published a book entitled “Food Analysis and Instrumentation-Theory and Practice” and another book in 2014 entitled “Food Science and Technology”. These two books are presently used in various Universities, Polytechnics and Research Institutions.

Educational Background / Academic / Professional Qualifications

Ph.D. Food Science & Technology (1997)
M. Sc. Food Science & Technology (1991)
B.Sc. Food Science & Technology (1987)
Institute of Public Analysts
ISO 22,000 Certified
ISO 17025 Trained

Professional Memberships

Fellow Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technologist
Member Institute of Food Technology Chicago

Areas of Expertise

Food Chemistry, Toxicology, Analysis, Processing, Bioactives and Food Safety.

Research Interests

Product Development/Formulation
Isolation and quantification of bioactives
Processing and preservation of local foods such as soups
Canning Technology and product storage

Student Education/ Courses Taught

Food Chemistry; Food Analysis
Nutrition and Toxicology
Food Biotechnology

Publications

1. Onwuka N.D., Nwajiobi E.N and Onwuka G.I. (1998).  Effects of some   chemical preservatives and packaging materials on the shelf life of Cola   nitida. NJTE Vol. 15, No. 1.
2. Onwuka G.I. and Onwuka,N.D. (1995).Comparative studies    of  quality    characteristics of palm kernel oil extracted by aqueous, traditional and  chemical methods. Journal of Innovations in Life Sciences, 2:17 – 22.
3. Onwuka G.I., Ownuka, N.D. and Mgbemka B.O. (1990).  Weight Gain, Mortality     and Normalized Biomass Index of Catfish Fed Soybean and Mucuna  Cochinchineasis.Paper   accepted by the Nigerian Journal of Agricultural Technology.
4. Onwuka G.I. and Onwuka N.D. (1999) Efficacy of Palm Kernel Oil Extraction  Methods   Journal of  Sustainable Agriculture and the Environment, Vol. 2 no1:  123 – 127.
5. Ojewola  G.S. and Onwuka G.I. (2001)  Evaluation of organoleptic  Properties  of Suya  Produced from  various  sources of Meat. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production. 28:1(24-26).
6. Onwuka, G.I., Nwokocha, H.N., and Asumugha, U.V. (2000).  Evaluation of  the Performance of Some Sweet Potato in Bread Making.  Journal of  Sustainable Agriculture and the Environment, Vol. 2 no 1: 123 – 1.
7. Onwuka G.I., Ngoddy, P.O. and Ihekoronye A.I. (1995).  The performance of the   flours of  sorghum, maize, cassava and their blends with wheat in bread baking Journal of Innovations in Life Sciences 2:62 – 69.
8. Onwuka G.I.,Udensi E.A. and Azubike(2002). Potentials of Cocoyam in bakery and Chips production.Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and the Environment, Vol. 4 ( 1) : 64-69.
9. Onwuka G.I. and Ebereonwu O. (2004). Effect of chemical preservation, pasteurization and refrigeration on the stability of kunu zaki. Journal of the Science of Agriculture, Food Technology and the Environment Vol 4: 111-114  
10. Onwuka G.I., Nwokocha, H.N. and Asumugha,  U.V.(2002) Performance of New Varieties of sweet   Potato (Ipomea batata) in Composite Flour Bread.J. Appl.Chem. & Agric. Res. Vol. 8:79-83.
11. Udensi E.A., Onwuka G.I. and Okoli E. G. (2003) Effect of Processing  on the level of Some antinutritional factors in Mucuna utilis. Plant Prod. Res. J. Vol.  8(1), 1-6.
12. Udensi E.A., Onwuka G.I. and Onyekwere C. R. (2005) Effect of autoclaving and boiling on some antinutritional factors in Mucuna slonie.   Nigerian Food Journal Vol. 23: 53-58.
13.Onwuka G. I. , Nwabara C. C., Nwokedi P. M, Echendu C. A., Asumugha . U. and   Igboekwe  M . U.(2002) Comparative Studies of  the Efficacy of Sun Drying, Solar Dryer and Hot Air Oven in the Preservation of Tomatoes, Okra, Pepper and Onion.Nigerian Food Journal Vol. 20: 10-14.
14.Onwuka G.I. and Onwuka N.D.(2005) The effect of ripening on the functional properties of plantain and plantain based cake .International Journal of Food Properties 8 : 347-353.USA
15. Onwuka G.I. (2006)  Soaking, boiling and antinutritional factors in pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan) and   cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata). Journal of Food Processing and Preservation 30 :616-630. www.blackwellpublishing.com/jfpp  USA
16.Onwuka G.I. and Opara H.O.(2006). Evaluation of the effect of chemical treatment and soaking on the cooking time of African yam bean seed(Sphenostylis stenocarpa) . Bio – Research 4(1): 10-13.
17. Onwuka G.I. and Edeh N.M. (2006). Evaluation of the effectiveness of some processing methods in the preservation of tomatoes. Journal of Food Technology 4(4) :294-298. www.medwellonline.net .Pakistan
18. Onwuka G.I. and Nwokorie S.O.(2006) Comparative studies on the winning potentials of black tamarind,local grapefruit and exotic apple. Journal of Food Technology 4(4) :350-353. www.medwellonline.net .  
19.Onwuka G.I. and Akaerue B.I. (2006). Evaluation of the quality of palm oil produced by different methods of processing. Research Journal of Biological Sciences 1(1-4): 16-19. www.medwellonline.net  
20. Onwuka G.I. and Ihuma C. (2007).Physico-Chemical composion and product behaviour of flours and chips from two yam sp.(Dioscorea rotundata and Dioscorea alata). Research Journal of Applied Sciences 2(1): 35-38. www.medwellonline.net
21.  Onwuka  G.I. and  Uka S.A. (2006). The effect of processing on some of the antinutritional factors of African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) seeds. Bio-Research(In press) .
22. Onwuka G.I. and Ogbogu N.J.(7007).  Effect of Fermentation on the quality and physicochemical properties of cassava varieties NR7212 and Nwangbisi. Journal of Food Technology 5 (3) :261 – 264. www.medwellonline.net
23. Ubbor S.C. Akobundu E.N.T. and Onwuka G.I. (2006). Functional properties and cyanide content of starch and flour of selected cassava( Manihot  esculenta Crantz) Mosaic disease(CMD) Resistant Varieties. Journal of Raw Materials Research 3(2): 4-15.
24. G.I. Onwuka  and U. Osuoji (2009) production of ice cream and mayonnaise using local and conventional hydrocolloids (In Press).
25. AkaerueB.I. Onwuka G.I. and James O.G. (2010) Evaluation of the Bacterial Status of Water Samples at Umudike Abia State. Nigeria International Journal of Agriculture and Food Systems.  Vol 4, No 2
26. Akaerue B.I and  Onwuka GI (2010). Evaluation of the yield, protein content and functional properties of Mung bean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] protein isolates as affected by processing. Pak. J. Nutr. 9(8): 728- 735
27. Onwuka G. I Akaerue B.I. and A Ofoeze A. (2010) Comparative evaluation of instant fufu flours produced from yam, cassava, rice/cassava blends and maize/cassava blends. Nigerian Food Journal Vol 28, No 2
28. Akaerue, B.I. and Onwuka, G.I. (2013) The Proximate Composition, Physical Qualities, Sensory Attributes and Microbial Load of Mungbean Biscuits as Affected by Processing  Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences (JETEAS) 4(2):250-257.
29. Atuonwu,A.C Onwuka, G.I Ibeawuchi G.I.  (2010) Comparative study on the role of Food gums in the production of Cocoa-enriched Candies. Nigerian Food Journal Archives . Vol 28, No 1 (2010)
30. Ojinnaka M.C. and  Onwuka G.I. (2011). Organoleptic Assessment of the Performance of Some Cultivars of Ipomoea batatas in the Development of Selected Snack Products. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 10: 935-939.
 31. Ezeocha V.C, Ojimelukwe, P.C. and Onwuka G.I. (2012) Effect of cooking on the nutritional and phytochemical components of trifoliate yam (Dioscorea dumetorum)  Global Advanced Research Journal of Biochemistry and Bioinformatics  Vol. 1(2), pp. 026-030
32. Ezeocha V.C. and  Onwuka G.I. (2010) Effect of processing methods on the physico-chemical and nutritional quality of maize and soyabean based complementary blends. Nigeria Food Journal Vol 28, No 2
33. Igwe E.C. Ojimelukwe P.C. and  Onwuka G.I. (2011) Effects of Processing Conditions on the quality of Kindirmo made from whole Cow Milk and Cow–Soymilk Mixtures – I International Journal of Current Research  3( 11) :011-018
34.  Igwe E.C. Ojimelukwe P.C. and  Onwuka G.I. (2011) Effects of Processing Conditions on the quality of Kindirmo made from whole Cow Milk and Cow–Soymilk Mixtures – II International Journal of Current Research  3( 11) :024-029
35. Onuegbu N.C, Onwuka G.I, And Clifford H. (2013) Development of Extraction Protocol for Phenolic Compounds in African Pear Seed (Dacryodes Edulis) IJBPAS 2(5): 1044-1056
36. Onwuka G.I, Clifford H. and Onuegbu N.C. (2013) The Evaluation of the Extraction Efficiencies of Different Solvent Mixtures And Extraction Procedures on the Phenolics in African Pear (Dacryodes Edulis)  IJBPAS 2(5): 1010-1023
 
BOOKS :
37 . Onwuka G.I.(2005)  Food Analysis and Instrumentation –Theory and Practice,                       Naphthali  Prints, Lagos, Nigeria.
38. Onwuka.G.I. (2014) Food Science and Technology. Naphthali  Prints, Lagos, Nigeria.
 
PROCEEDINGS:
39. Onwuka G.I. and Onwuka N.D. and Mgbemka B.O. (1998).  Effects of some   processing methods on detoxifying haemagglutinin in soybean and Mucuna cochinensis.  Proceedings of the Silver Anniversary Conference of NSAP.  March 21 – 26, 1998, Nigeria Paper No. 211.
40. Onwuka, G.I., Onwuka, N.D. and Nwajiobi, E.M. (1998).  Studies on the Shelf-life Characteristics of Kolanuts (Cola acuminata) stored in Glass bottles, Tin Cans and Thermosetting plastics.  Proceedings of the 22nd Annual Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) Conference held at Abeokuta 23rd – 26th November 1998.
41. Onwuka, G.I. and Egbujor, G.C. (1998).  Evalution of Peanut Butter, Treated with local spices:  Implication for investment.  Proceedings of the 13th Annual Conference of Farm Management Association of Nigeria (FAMAN) held at the Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike:  12th – 15th October 1997.