Physicochemical properties of acha (Digitaria exilis and Digitaria iburua spp) grains Online publication date: Wed, 30-Dec-2009
by Ogbonnaya Chukwu
International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation (IJPTI), Vol. 1, No. 4, 2009
Abstract: Some physicochemical properties of two varieties of acha (Digitaria exilis and Digitaria iburua) were studied. Physical properties including kernel size, 1000-kernel weight, and water absorption rate of the grains were determined. Water absorption reached a maximum after steeping for 25 hours. The starch content exhibited a two-stage pattern of swelling and solubility properties similar to other non-waxy cereal starches. Starch from Digitaria exilis swelled less than Digitaria iburua. Chemical compositions such as crude protein, lipid, crude fibre, ash, nitrogen-free extract (NFE) and amylose were also determined. Amylose contents of 268 g.kg−1 and 276 g.kg−1 were obtained for the white and brown varieties respectively. Data were analysed using analysis of variance. Duncan's test was used to separate the sample means that were significantly different. It was concluded that acha starch has properties similar to commercial maize starch and could be used for similar industrial purposes.
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