Characterization of sweet potato starch – the effect of cultivation time

Abstract

The physicochemical properties of the starches of seven sweet potato varieties at two harvesting times were studied. The yield of starch, pH, moisture, Water Binding Capacity (WBC), solubility, swelling volume, swelling power, ash and viscosity were monitored. Starch from the 4 month varieties had higher yields (12.78-18.72%), moisture contents (7.82-15.04%) and pH levels (3.59-5.22) relative to that from the 5-month varieties. The starch from the 5-month varieties, however, had higher WBC (66.30-76.90%) and viscosity at 73EC (18.80-35.60 cps) and 35EC (27.20-53.40 cps). With respect to swelling behaviour, the 4-month samples were of good quality having low solubility and high swelling volume. The findings thus show that cultivation time and variety impact on the physicochemical properties of starch from sweet potato roots.


(Journal of the Ghana Science Association: 2001 3(3): 41-44)