Evaluation of improved cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) varieties and associated products for proximate, cyanogenic potential and glycemic indices

Open Access Article; Published online: 05 Jan 2023This study investigated the proximate, cyanide, and glycemic indices of roots and eba (gari dough) made from improved cassava cultivars. Twenty cassava cultivars were obtained from the IITA research farms and analyzed for proximate and carbohydrate compositions and cyanogenic potential using standard procedures. Afterward, four cassava varieties were selected using the agglomerate hierarchical cluster analysis. The selected varieties were processed into gari and reconstituted in hot water into eba, and the glycemic indices(GIs) of the four eba samples were determined in apparently 23 healthy volunteers. The starch content of the selected varieties was 69.1% for IITATMEB7419, 71.6% for TMSIBA980505, 72.7% for TMSIBA981089A, and 74.5% for TMSIBA980002. The ratios of starch to sugar were significantly (p > 0.05) comparable for all the samples. The GIs obtained for the four eba samples were 88.1% for TMSIBA980002; 87.2% for TMS980505; 84.4% for TMEB7419, and 89.1% for TMS IBA961089A

Assessment of the nutritional composition, physical properties and sensory quality of composite bread baked with high-quality cassava flour from biofortified and white- fleshed cassava roots

Published online: 25 Jun 2019With proper processing and utilization, biofortified cassava may contribute to the nutritional status of the consumers, thus, the need for this study. High-quality cassava flour from white- (TME 419) and biofortified (TMS 01/1368) cassava varieties were produced at a commercial processing factory, after which the flour is composite with wheat flour to produce bread. The nutritional composition, physical properties and sensory quality of the composite bread were analyzed using standard methods. Results showed that composite bread from 20% biofortified cassava flour (20-YCF) had a higher value of total β-carotene (0.74 μg/g), moisture (37.83%) and ash (2.29%) contents. The fat (3.72%) and protein (12.83%) contents were higher in 20% white cassava flour (20-WCF) composite bread. The 20-YCF composite bread had the highest loaf volume (3286.2 cm3), elasticity (6.32), chewiness (40.51 N) and gumminess (6.41), 20-WCF composite bread had higher specific volume (3.59 cm3/g) and hardness (176.50 N). The 100% wheat bread had higher cohesiveness (0.10) and loaf weight (932.35 g). A significant negative correlation (r = - 0.98, p≤0.05) exist between bread hardness and protein content. The composite bread compared favourably with the 100% wheat bread in terms of weight and aroma, but, the 100% wheat bread was more acceptable

Adoption of improved cassava varieties by processors is linked to processing characteristics and products biophysical attributes

Published online: 09 Jan 2022Evidence from community cassava processors on product quality traits that influence variety adoption was combined with laboratory methods to identify potential predictors of quality traits of new varieties. The study revealed that high product yield, high starch content, high solubility index (SI), high peak viscosity (PV), low setback viscosity, and delayed root color change (delayed postharvest physiological deterioration) are possible laboratory indicators that could be used as proxies for predicting product quality and variety adoption decisions of cassava processors. Fufu exhibited higher swelling power, SI, and PV than gari from the same varieties. Processors preferred quality characteristics are difficult to measure for several hundreds of new germplasms in the early stages of the breeding cycle. The information presented may be helpful during the breeding of new, improved varieties by using the physical and chemical properties of the roots that predict processors’ preferred quality traits. Practical applications The study identified laboratory parameters that could be used as predictors of processors-preferred traits in new breeding lines with a higher possibility of adoption by processors to make commercial success products