In this study, the physicochemical properties of flour and starch from two cassava varieties (TME 419 and TMS 326) were determined using standard methods. Cassava roots were obtained from University of Ilorin Agricultural research farm. Proximate composition of TME 419 cassava were different from that of TMS 326 roots. The two cassava roots had carbohydrate as their major components (approx. 84%). TMS 326 showed significantly higher protein, fats and ash contents than the TME 419 genotype. Amylose content (approx. 27 %) of TMS 326 starch was higher than TME 419 starch (approx. 22%). Cassava starch granules of both varieties had smooth surfaces with mostly round granules while some granules were spherical, elongated and irregular in shape. TME 419 had smaller granule (approx. 11 μm) compared to that of TMS 326 (13 μm). Both starch type showed the A-type crystallinity pattern. The peak gelatinisation temperature of TMS 326 starch (approx.71 o C) was higher than that of TME 419 starch (approx. 61 o C). Peak viscosity of TMS 326 starch was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of TME 419 starch, which could be related to the higher amylose content. However, the peak viscosity of flour from TME 419 cassava was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of TMS 326. Cassava starches displayed higher swelling power than the flour samples. TME 419 flour and starch showed higher swelling power and cold paste viscosity suggesting that the starch could be used as thickening agents in various food applications.

Custard is a convenient food product, similar to ogi in appearance and viscosity, but lacks the sour taste typical of ogi. In this study, extracts (10% w/w) from tamarind, soursop and lime was added to custard samples and the physicochemical and sensory properties of the mixture was analysed. Corn gruel was included as the reference sample. Carbohydrate was the major component of the corn gruel (61.72%) and custard samples (66.27-74.42%). Corn gruel had substantially higher protein content (18.03%) than custard samples (8.03-8.62%). Custard samples were more dispersible in water, showed higher swelling power and significantly higher peak and final viscosities than the corn flour sample. However, the addition of souring agent did not significantly alter the cooking time and pasting temperature of custard. Custard may be soured with lime, tamarind and soursop to improve dispersibility, consistency, appearance, viscosity and sourness without significant changes in the overall acceptability of the product.

Bambara groundnut (BGN) was separately parboiled for 45 and 90 min, then, sun-, oven-, or freeze-dried. Untreated BGN served as the control. Cooking, physical, chemical, and sensory characteristics were investigated to assess quality. All parboiled-dried samples cooked significantly (p ≤ .05) faster (43%-86%) than the control. Freeze-dried samples showed significantly (p ≤ .05) higher L* values than their sun-and oven-dried counterparts, irrespective of parboiling time. Sphericity and aspect ratio significantly (p ≤ .05) reduced with all the drying methods, though insignificantly when parboiling was extended from 45 to 90 min. Pretreated BGN had higher protein but lower antinutrient contents. Mineral leaching was minimal at 45 min parboiling. Parboiled-dried BGN cooked samples were generally accepted by the panelists as demonstrated by scores of >6 on a 1-9 Hedonic scale. Combined parboiling and (sun-or oven-) drying presents a practicable strategy for BGN farmers/processors to offer an easy-to-cook product, potentially storable for later food preparation by consumers. Practical applicationsThe study provides a useful strategy to farmers/food industries in their quest to meet the increasing demand of consumers for more convenience foods as opposed to the drudgery associated with the long cooking time of Bambara groundnut. Combined parboiling and drying operations produced Bambara groundnut seeds which cooked 43%-86% faster, and had storable potential for later food preparation. The results from the study may enhance the research efforts in recent times aimed at further promoting the utilization of the crop for better food and nutrition security, particularly in regions where its cultivation is favored. How to cite this article: Akintayo OA, Adegbaju EK, Akeem SA, et al. Effect of parboiling and drying pretreatments on the cooking time and quality attributes of Bambara groundnut. J