Comparative evaluation of toasting variables and the quality of gari produced by different women in Ikwuano LGA, Abia State, Nigeria

摘要

The toasting variables of three women and the effect on the quality of gari was evaluated. Their toasting time, stirring time, resting time, and manual energy consumption was recorded. The gari toasted by the three women were compared for the chemical composition, pasting properties, functional properties, and particle size distribution. The data obtained were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means separated using Duncan's multiple range test at p 0.05 significance. Cassava mash introduced per time ranged between 0.70 and 1.17 kg. The time of introduction of the cassava mash was different for the different women. The toasting time was highest for woman 2 (21.40 min) followed by woman 3 (19.33 min) while woman 1 had the shortest toasting time (17.21 min). The dry matter content of the gari samples ranged from 83.59% (gari from woman 1) to 87.49% (gari from woman 3). The Hydrogen cyanide content of the gari samples ranged from 16.91 to 17.17 mg/kg with the gari toasted by woman 1 having the lowest hydrogen cyanide content. The gari sample toasted by woman 1 had the highest peak viscosity (451.40 RVU). The swelling index of the gari samples toasted by the three women varied significantly (p 0.05). Woman 1's gari had the largest particle size (50.66% retained in 850 mu m sieve) while woman 2's gari had the lowest particle size (25.79% retained in 850 mu m sieve). The study revealed that the toasting variables of the different women introduced some variations in the particle size, swelling index, and pasting properties of the gari samples. Practical applications Data generated from this work will be of use to those working on the fabrication of gari toasting machine. This will help them to understand the gari toasting process. It will also be useful in the standardization of the gari production process.