Characterization of the root and flour of South African Manihot esculenta Crantz landraces and their potential end-use properties

Thermal, Pasting, and Hydration Properties of Flour from Novel Cassava Cultivars for Potential Applications in the Food Industry

Cassava root flours from five different cultivars (C-MSAF2, C-P4/10, C-P98/0505, C-P98/0002, and C-UKF8) were studied for their potential application in the food industry. Proximate composition, functional, thermal, and pasting properties were investigated. Cassava flours were high in carbohydrates (85-86%) and their amino acid profiles varied. Cultivars C-MSAF2, C-P98/0002, and C-UKF8 showed high protein content (5.06%), mineral content (2.36%), and the largest particle size (72.33 µm), respectively. Solubility of cassava flours decreased as temperatures increased, however, swelling power and water absorption capacity increased. C-MSAF2 showed the highest peak viscosity, breakdown viscosity, and shortest peak time. C-P98/0505 showed the highest final viscosity, the highest pasting temperature, and the longest peak time. Cassava flours studied are promising candidates for utilization in the baking industry, however, their incorporation into baked product formulations needs further investigation.

Proximate Composition, Physicochemical, Functional, and Antioxidant Properties of Flours from Selected Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Varieties

Cassava flour has a high potential to contribute as a raw material in the food industry. This study was aimed at characterizing flours from Sri Lankan cassava varieties with a view to explore the potential in food applications. Flours prepared from five cassava varieties, namely, Kirikawadi, MU51, Swarna, Shani, and Suranimala, were analyzed for proximate composition and physicochemical, functional, and antioxidant properties using standard methods. Flours from tested cassava varieties contained <1% crude fat and <2% crude protein. Flour from MU51 contained the highest amount of HCN (48.05 mg/kg) while flour from Suranimala contained the lowest (4.85 mg/kg). Total starch and amylose contents of flours were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those of commercial wheat flour. Flour from Suranimala contained approximately similar amylopectin content as commercial wheat flour. Water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, water solubility index, swelling power, emulsion activity, and emulsion stability of flours from five cassava varieties were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of commercial wheat flour. Swarna was identified as the richest source of phenolic compounds (4.44 mmol GAE/100 g dry weight) among the five varieties. Results showed the promising application potential of flours from these five cassava varieties in different food applications such as weaning foods, bakery foods, and edible films.

Process-Induced Modifications on Quality Attributes of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Flour

Cassava flour (CF) is a suitable representative and one of the easiest shelf-stable food products of the edible portion of the highly perishable cassava root (Manihot esculenta Crantz). The quality and type of CF are dependent on processing variables. Broadly categorized into fermented and unfermented CF, unfermented CF is white, odorless, and bland, while fermented CF has a sour flavor accompanied by its characteristic odor. The use of fermented CF as a composite is limited because of their off-odors. Modifications in CF processing have given rise to prefixes such as: modified, unmodified, gelatinized, fortified, native, roasted, malted, wet, and dry. Consumed alone, mostly in reconstituted dough form with soups, CF may also serve as a composite in the processing of various flour-based food products. Fermenting with microorganisms such as Rhizopus oryzae and Saccharomyces cerevisiae results in a significant increase in the protein content and a decrease in the cyanide content of CF. However, there are concerns regarding its safety for consumption. Pre-gelatinized CF has potential for the textural and structural improvement of bakery products. The average particle size of the CF also influences its functional properties and, subsequently, the quality of its products. Cassava flour is best stored at ambient temperature. Standardizing the processing of CF is a challenge because it is mostly processed in artisanal units. Furthermore, each variety of the root best suits a particular application. Therefore, understanding the influence of processing variables on the characteristics of CF may improve the utilization of CF locally and globally.

Interactive Effects of Chemical Pretreatment and Drying on the Physicochemical Properties of Cassava Flour Using Response Surface Methodology

Calcium chloride and citric acid (0.6-3.4%w/v) were separately applied in the pretreatment of two South African cassava landraces (white and red) processed into flour at drying temperatures of 45-74°C. Optimisation using the response surface methodology showed ash (0.79-4.42%) and crude fibre (2.77-5.12%) increased as the drying temperature (DT) and concentration of pretreatment (COP) increased. Starch content (78.06-84.71%) was not influenced by the processing variables. Both pretreatments improved the lightness and whiteness index of cassava flour. Optimal processing conditions of 70°C DT and 3%w/v COP were the same for the proximate composition of cassava flour from all experimental groups.