Innovation: In Nigeria, industrialization of packaged wholesome onion paste is still novel and going into this invention will have positive impact on economy and reduce foreign exchange wasted on importation of similar products.

Sector/Industry Application: AGRICULTURE

Description: The invention describes wholesome onion paste product made from onion varieties (Red, White and Yellow) under cold temperature process. The production process comprises the following steps of: skin/buds removal, cleaning, pre-treatment under very low temperature to inactivate allinase, slicing, milling with a synergistic antioxidant followed by sieving, incubation, re-activation of allinase, addition of little food additives, pasteurization, termination of allinase activity, hot filling, sealing and cooling to obtain a finished product for domestic and industrial uses. The onion paste product is of high quality and have characteristic fresh onion flavour, texture, colour, pungency and nutritional composition. Onion paste provided by the invention enhances taste of food or product when used in cooking or processing as an ingredient. It makes cooking easy without one experiencing lacrimatory effect. Thus, this invention will reduce post-harvest loss and increase availability of onion round the year. The method provided by the invention is a simplified process, easy to realize mass production and can be automated.

Problem: The post-harvest loss of harvested onion is about 75%. This invention is to reduce loss after harvest, increase livelihood of farmers and to create jobs for youths and women by establishment of onion paste micro, small and medium enterprises. It will also ensure food and nutrition security.