Taro (Colocasia esculenta): Zero wastage orphan food crop for food and nutritional security

Aditika,; Kapoor, Bhuvnesh; Singh, Saurabh; Kumar, Pankaj

doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2021.08.014

Cited by 23 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 105 publications

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“…), potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), cassava (Manihot esculenta), and elephant foot yams (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius). Taro holds great promise as a food and has the potential to combat malnutrition, given its underutilization thus far [3]. The taro crop has enormous potential as an economical source of dietary energy, starch, fiber, potassium, vitamin C, protein, and other micronutrients [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Taro Roots: An Underexploited Root Crop

Ferdaus,

Chukwu-Munsen,

Foguel

et al. 2023

Nutrients

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Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a root crop that remains largely underutilized and undervalued despite its abundance and affordability. In comparison to other root vegetables, such as potatoes, yams, carrots, and cassava, taro stands out as a plentiful and low-cost option. As global hunger increases, particularly in Africa, it becomes essential to address food insecurity by maximizing the potential of existing food resources, including taro, and developing improved food products derived from it. Taro possesses a wealth of carbohydrates, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, thereby making it a valuable nutritional source. Additionally, while not a significant protein source, taro exhibits higher protein content than many other root crops. Consequently, utilizing taro to create food products, such as plant-based milk alternatives, frozen desserts, and yogurt substitutes, could play a crucial role in raising awareness and increasing taro production. Unfortunately, taro has been stigmatized in various cultures, which has led to its neglect as a food crop. Therefore, this review aims to highlight the substantial potential of taro as an economical source of dietary energy by exploring the rich fiber, potassium, vitamin C, protein, and other micronutrient content of taro, and providing a foundation for the formulation of novel food products. Furthermore, this paper assesses the nutritional benefits of taro, its current utilization, and its antinutritional properties. It emphasizes the need for further research to explore the various applications of taro and improve on-farm processing conditions for industrial purposes.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Taro Roots: An Underexploited Root Crop

Ferdaus,

Chukwu-Munsen,

Foguel

et al. 2023

Nutrients

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“…Additionally, it has significant medicinal value, may help alleviate malnutrition [11], and could reduce diseases such as diabetes, obesity, pancreatic disorders, and other related ailments [12]. Furthermore, the leaves, petioles, corms, and roots of C. esculenta can all be fully utilized, making it promising for potential applications [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complete mitochondrial genome assembly and comparative analysis of Colocasia esculenta

Li,

Liu,

Qiu

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Colocasia esculenta ranks as the fifth most important tuber crop and is known for its high nutritional and medicinal value. However, there is no research on its mitochondrial genome, hindering in-depth exploration of its genomic resources and genetic relationships. Using second- and third-generation sequencing technologies, we assembled and annotated the mitogenome of C. esculenta. Its mitogenome mainly consists of five circular DNA molecules, with a total length of 594,811 bp and a GC content of 46.25%. A total of 55 genes, 157 simple sequence repeats, 29 tandem repeat sequences, 202 dispersed repeat sequences, and 625 RNA editing sites were detected. Most protein-coding genes use ATG as the start codon, and the third position of the codon tends to be A or T (U). GAA, AUU, and UUU are the most common codons in C. esculenta mitochondria. Finally, based on 28 representative plant species, a phylogenetic tree was constructed, revealing a close relationship between C. esculenta and Araceae. This study provides comprehensive information on C. esculenta, laying a foundation for crop genetics and molecular breeding.

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“…10 Taro has a high content of resistant starch that allows slow digestion with valuable effects on cholesterol and blood glucose regulation. 11 Taro has a high carbohydrate (59.36%) and protein (24.99%) content, the mineral content of Taro, the mineral present in the highest amount is magnesium 242.373 mg/kg, followed by calcium 94.455 mg/kg, iron 8.351 mg/kg and zinc 6.210 mg/kg, and vitamin C 0.188 mg/100 mg, vitamin B1 0.047 mg/100 mg, and Vitamin B3 0.078 mg/100 mg. 12 Compared to other tubers such as sweet potato, potato, cassava and yam; taro has a higher protein and fat content. 12 Likewise, Taro has flavonoids and phenolic acids that have antioxidant properties; flavonoids, the largest group of phenolic compounds identified in the whole plant, are associated with reducing many degenerative diseases.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…12 Likewise, Taro has flavonoids and phenolic acids that have antioxidant properties; flavonoids, the largest group of phenolic compounds identified in the whole plant, are associated with reducing many degenerative diseases. 11 Foodstuffs are complex systems of great nutritional richness and therefore sensitive to attack by microorganisms (bacteria, fungi and yeasts). The main mode of contamination of raw materials is animal defecation, manure fertilization and recontamination persisting in facilities and transport; in addition, insects and rodents are a source of contamination.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) and taro (Colocasia esculenta) flours with potential application in the preparation of both gluten-free and high protein foods.

et al. 2023

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Background: Interest in alternative sources of tubers and legumes has increased in recent years because of the constant search for raw materials that provide bioactive compounds with antioxidant potential benefits for consumers. The functionality of new raw materials is sought through physical and/or chemical modifications to develop and innovate new foods. The objective of this study was to characterize taro (TF) (Colocasia esculenta) and sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) flours, obtained by the wet (SIF-WM) and defatted method (SIF-DM), as an alternative for the formulation of new functional foods. Methods: The free polyphenols of the different mixtures were analyzed, and the antioxidant properties of the extracts obtained were measured using ABTS.* (2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid). The ABTS radical method, which reacts with the phenolic compounds of the food matrix, using Trolox as a standard. The blends were subjected to pasting analysis, flow profile tests, determination of viscoelastic properties (temperature sweep). Characterization of common microorganisms in these foods was performed. Results: The highest protein value was obtained in the sacha inchi flour obtained by the defatted method (72.62). The majority of components in taro were carbohydrates (85.4%). About antioxidant and determination of free polyphenols, taro flour obtained values of 2.71 µmol ET/g and 7.47 mg EAG/g, higher than Sacha inchi flours. In the rheological analysis (pasting properties, flow profile, and viscoelasticity), we observed that adding taro flour in different mixtures increases the viscosity peak and a lower breakdown, while there was an increase in setback. Except for defatted sacha flour, the others presented a flow index >1 before heating, showing a dilatant fluid behavior. The presence of Taro flour improves gel formation and stability. Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella were present in the taro flour. Conclusions: The flours analyzed represent a raw material with great potential for the development of gluten-free foods with functional properties.

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Taro (Colocasia esculenta): Zero wastage orphan food crop for food and nutritional security

Cited by 23 publications

References 105 publications

Taro Roots: An Underexploited Root Crop

Taro Roots: An Underexploited Root Crop

Complete mitochondrial genome assembly and comparative analysis of Colocasia esculenta

Characterization of sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) and taro (Colocasia esculenta) flours with potential application in the preparation of both gluten-free and high protein foods.

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