Physicochemical Characteristics of Xanthosoma mafafa Tuber Meal Subjected to Palm Bunch Ash Solution Treatment

Abstract

Varying concentrations of palm bunch ash solutions (0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00 g/100ml water) were used to blanch cocoyam (Xanthosoma mafafa) tuber meal (ZMTM) at 100oC for three minutes and the effect on its physical and proximate composition was determined. The bulk density, total solids, specific gravity, water holding capacity and pH values of ZMTM increased with increasing ash solution concentration, while crude fat, fiber, and NFE values decreased, with control value being significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of the treated samples. The reverse was, however, the case for total ash and crude protein and total ash values for which control value was significantly lower than ash treated samples values (p<0.05). The ZMTM was comparable to maize and sorghum in its crude protein value (11.47%). The nutrient value of ZMTM could, therefore, be enhanced through blanching with palm bunch ash solutions.