The objectives of this study were to characterize the physicochemical properties of 5 different cassava varieties developed in the Philippines and to investigate the effect of pre-gelatinization on flour properties. The physicochemical properties were assessed by proximate, mineral and soluble sugar composition, starch, pasting and thermal properties, solubility, swelling power and particle size distribution. All dry flours showed significantly higher values for peak viscosity, hot paste viscosity and final viscosity, breakdown, pasting temperature and α-amylase activity than the corresponding pre-gelatinized flours ( p < 0.05). Complete amorphization of starch contained in pre-gelatinized flours was confirmed by DSC, and it was found that pre-gelatinization caused significant increases in the content of fructose, glucose, amylose, damaged starch and mean particle size, compared to the corresponding dry flours ( p < 0.05). Principal component analysis was carried out to assess the overall flour quality and the suitability of particular varieties for pre-gelatinization by steam treatment.Keywords: cassava, dry flour, pre-gelatinization, physicochemical properties, pasting properties, swelling power, solubility
IntroductionCassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is widely cultivated and consumed in tropical regions such as Southeast Asia, Africa and South America. In 2012, total world cassava root production was 260 million tons, of which 2.2 million tons were produced in the Philippines. Cassava production in the Philippines is increasing, with production in 2012 approximately 1.5 times greater than in
(FAO i)). Cassava contains the largest amount of carbohydrate of any food crop other than sugarcane (Okigbo, 1980). Hence, cassava is an important source of carbohydrates for people in the tropics.Cassava root, flour and starch are consumed in the Philippines in various kinds of food, while breeding of cassava varieties is targeted at improving particular properties, for example, to achieve higher yield, better disease resistance, higher starch content and lower cyanide content (Mariscal et al., 2002). However, fresh cassava root that is not kept under suitable storage conditions deteriorates rapidly due to physiological changes and microbial activity, and cassava root has a very short shelf-life, usually less than 2 days (Abera and Rakshit, 2003;Isamah, 2004). Therefore, cassava root must be processed into products such as flour and starch soon after harvesting.Cassava varieties that can be used for preparing flour have been bred in the Philippines. One of the newest varieties, developed for higher fresh root yield, is Cv-46 (Philippine Root Crop Research and Training Center ii) ). It has been reported that the Lakan 1 variety has better agronomic characteristics, such as water deficit resistance and high yield (Bergantin et al., 2004; Taguiam et al., D. MurayaMa et al. 1132 2010). In addition, it is recognized that the physicochemical properties of flour vary depending on the variety of cassava used.
Materials ...