Some physicochemical properties of acha (digitaria exilis stapf) and iburu (Digitaria iburua stapf) grains

Abstract

Some physicochemical properties of two cultivated species of Digifaria (D exifis and D ihurua) were studied. Physical properties such as 1000-kernel weight, kernel size and water absorption rate of the grains were determined. Water absorption by both cereals reached a maximum after 24 h steeping. The starch from both cereals exhibited a two-stage pattern of swelling and solubility properties similar to other non-waxy cereal starches. Starch from acha swelled less than iburu, 7.3 compared with 7.8 for iburu. Chemical constituents such as protein, oil, crude fibre, ash, nitrogen-free extract and amylose were also determined. An amylose content of 280 g kg-' was obtained for both cereal starches. Brabender amylograms obtained from starch and flour were typical of most normal, non-waxy cereals. Maize starch had relatively higher hot-paste and cold-paste viscosities than starches of the two Digifaria species.

Effect of cooking time on the physical, chemical and thermal properties of acha seeds

“…The ash contents (1.45 ± 0.05% (white) and 1.87 ± 0.15% (brown)) obtained for uncooked acha seeds in this study were slightly higher than the 1.0 % found by Jideani and Akingbala (1993) and Fliedel, Ouattara, Grabulos, Drame, and Cruz (2004), but lower than the 6.0 % value reported by Serna (2003). Ash content is an index of mineral content in biota (Akubugwo, Obasi, Chinyere, & Ugbogu, 2007).…”

“…Adequate intake of dietary fiber can lower the level of serum cholesterol and reduce the risk of developing hypertension, constipation, diabetes, colon, cancer and coronary heart disease (Ishida et al, 2000). The lowest value (0.41%) of crude fiber content for the uncooked acha seeds was reported by Jideani and Akingbala (1993) while the highest value (11.3%) was reported by Serna (2003). The high variation in the crude fiber contents of fonio grains could also be attributed to environmental influences, geographical location, agronomic factors, genetic factors and different analytical methods.…”

Potentials of tropical starches as pharmaceutical excipients: A review

“…Their plants, about 45 cm high with tiny long ears, thrives well on poor, sandy soil and in drought and flood which often will not support the growth of some of the more popular cereals [94]. Fonio grows fast that its crops can be harvested two or three times each year [96]. Two varieties that are common are the white fonio (Digitaria exilis Stapf) also known as acha, fundi, fonio, hungry rice and black fonio (D. iburua Stapf) also known as iburu and petit mil [93,96].…”

Soybean Utilization and Fortification of Indegenous Foods in Times of Climate Changes

“…While acha is a cheap source of carbohydrate for man, and livestock, particularly in dry infertile areas, in the tropics, Victor and James (1991) advocates its complementation with protein rich foods to make a balance diet. Another reason why acha is not popular is that its food uses are not yet established, except for the limited ones already mentioned (Jideani and Akingbala, 1993). The low protein intake in most Africa countries including Nigeria is attributed to t he increasingly high cost of animal sources such as beef, mutton, fish and game (bush meat and also to inadequate utilization of most plant protein source.…”