Yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus) tuber processing in Benin: production and evaluation of the quality of yam bean-gari and yam bean-fortified gari

Yam bean (Pachyrhyzus erosus) tubers were processed singly and mixed with cassava into different types of gari (100% yam bean gari, 75% yam bean gari, 50% yam bean gari and 25% yam bean gari) following the traditional gari processing method. Conventional gari from cassava was processed following the same approach and used as control. Physical characteristics, proximate composition and sensory quality of the garis obtained were assessed. Results showed that low and medium (25% and 50%) yam bean fortified gari processing yielded better than 75% and 100% yam bean gari processing. Low and medium yam bean gari were the closest to conventional gari regarding the brown index (18.0 and 18.3 respectively), had good swelling capacity (≥ 3) and had higher relative bulk density (0.57 and 0.53 respectively). The proteins content of the processed yam bean garis increased with increasing incorporation rate of yam bean but, similarly, the crude fibres content increased going beyond the recommended level of 2% maximum. The processed garis were used to cook èba which were submitted to panellists’ appreciation. Panellists scored better low and medium yam bean fortified garis and the resulting èba. Combining the results, the highest suggested incorporation rate was 50% yam bean tubers. © 2013 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Legume tuber-root crop, quality, physical characteristics, chemical composition, sensory evaluation

Farmers’ perceptions on characteristics of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) varieties used for chips production in rural areas in Benin, West Africa

A survey aimed at collecting information about cassava varieties/cultivars and farmers’ perceptions concerning cassava and chemical food safety was conducted in 10 villages located in two agroecological zones in Benin. A structured questionnaire to interview farmers was employed. Out of 100 farmers sampled, most of them relaying on chips as food and source of income were women. Overall, 40% of all farmers marketed chips locally. Tasting was the main technique use by farmers to discriminate cassava varieties including Kpaki Kpika, Kpaki Soan, Logo Guesse Kotorou and BEN 86052. The latter being introduced by research centres. Both bitter and sweet cassava were produced and the sweet varieties being used for chips production by farmers who do perceive bitter cassava as toxic crop. Our results call for more investigations in promoting gender oriented safety and hygiene/sanitation techniques