Title: Physicochemical properties of acha (Digitaria exilis and Digitaria iburua spp) grains

Authors: Ogbonnaya Chukwu

Addresses: Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Technology, PMB 65 Minna, Niger State, Nigeria

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.

Keywords: acha grains; chemical composition; Digitaria exilis; Digitaria iburua; physical properties; acha starch; kernel size; kernel weight; water absorption rate; commercial maize starch.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2009.030684

International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, 2009 Vol.1 No.4, pp.360 - 366

Published online: 30 Dec 2009 *

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