Raw-Material Potentials of Nigerian Wild Polynesian Arrowroot (Tacca leontopetaloides) Tubers and Starch

Wild Polynesian arrowroot (Tacca leontopetaloides) tubers collected in Nigeria were assessed for their tuber and starch characteristics. The fresh and stored (4 months) tubers were evaluated for their relevant physico-chemical properties, while the starch samples (extracted from them) also had their functional properties and physio-chemical properties determined. The results showed that the bitter brown skinned tuber had 28.25-29.00% dry matter content, 25.00-27.25% starch content, 1.67 g mL-1 density, 40-43 mg/100 g ascorbic acid and 3.15-3.58% crude flavonoid extract. The proximate composition of the tuber flesh was 1.10-1.50% protein, 2.70-2.73% ash, 0.28-0.68% fibre, 0.08-0.10% fat and 95.02-95.42 total carbohydrate on dry matter basis. The white coloured starch samples had 10.00% moisture content, 0.71-0.77 g mL-1 packed bulk density, 6.55-6.75g g-1 water absorption capacity, 6.90-7.30 oil absorption capacity, while the paste clarity (percent transmittance) generally tended to increase with storage. The potential usefulness of the starch in aqueous and hydrophobic food and drug systems was observed, while the medicinal value of the tuber flavonoid content needs further investigation.