Isolation and Characterization of Dioscorea Dumentorum and ICACINIA Trichantha Starch for Possible Industrial Utilization

Abstract

The study was focused on finding alternative use for underutilized icacinia trichantha (gbegbe) and dioscorea dumentorum (esuru-igbo) for possible industrial utilization. Starches were isolated through aqueous method. The parameters determined are pH, ash and moisture contents, amylose content, gelatinization temperature, water absorption capacities, bulk density, tapped density and true density. The results showed that percentage yield was 70% for dioscorea dumentorum and 64.6% for icacinia trichantha. The physicochemical properties of the starch showed that the gelatinization temperature of dioscorea dumentorum was 70^oC while the value for icacinia tricthantha was73^oC. The percentage of amylase and amylopectin in icacinia tricthantha were 18.7 and 81.3% respectively while bulk density, tapped density were 0.63 and 0.73 g/cm³. The Hausner’s ratio was 1.15. The results also showed that Carr’s index, moisture content, and ash content were 3.7, 10.2, and, 2.5% respectively. The density was 1.63 g/cm³ while the water absorption capacity was 1.70 mL/g and pH was 6.0 however, the percentage of amylose and amylopectin for dioscorea dumentorum were 17.3 and 82.7% respectively while bulk density, tapped density were 0.56 and 0.67 g/cm³. The Hausner’s ratio was 1.19. Carr’s index, moisture content, and ash content were 16.4, 11.6, and 2.2% respectively. The true density was 1.67 g/cm³ while water absorption capacity was174 mL/g and pH was 5.3.