Abstract
Taro and yam are used for different purposes mainly used in south western region in Ethiopia especially in Benchmaji, Keffa and Sheka zones of the country and are underutilized foods for nutrition and income in other parts of the Ethiopia. Traditionally, it has been believed that a cure for hyper tension that is used to minimize the hyper tension, as a snack and etc. Therefore Promoting and supporting the use of taro and yam can make a major contribution to the food security of Ethiopia and of the world as well. The present study focused on, the quantitative determination of proximate compositions of the taro and yam samples cultivated in southwestern Ethiopia (Keffa zone, Benchmaji zone and Sheka zone). The parameters investigated were proximate composition (crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, carbohydrate, and energy). Proximate compositions were determined by Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC, 2000).The result indicated that, the proximate composition of both raw taro and yam samples in this study were: Crude Protein (4.03-6.22, 3.30-6.44%), crude fat (0.77-1.26, 0.71-1.30%), crude fibre (3.45-5.74, 2.47-4.39%), total ash (2.53-4.82, 1.76-3.27%), utilizable Carbohydrates (77.82-81.18, 75.98-84.07%) and Gross energy (338.79-351.63, 330.12-353.64) Kcal/100g, respectively. Thus, in general, both raw taro and yam had appreciable amount of the proximate composition, and could be a promising crops for securing food supply in the study area under investigation.
Highlights
Roots and tubers belong to the class of foods that basically provide energy in the human diet in the form of carbohydrates
Mean values obtained for Colocasia esculenta (L.) species in g/100g dry weight basis were: crude protein, 4.03- 6.22%; crude fat, 0.77-1.26%; crude fibre, 3.45-5.74%; ash, 2.53-4.82% and carbohydrate, 77.82-81.39%
Proximate composition of raw taro and yam samples. As it is depicted from figure 1, table 1 and 2, among the six analyzed samples in all three sampling sites, Benchmaji yam samples were observed to be the highest in protein, fat and moisture contents whereas Benchmaji taro samples were obtained to be highest in fibre and ash contents
Summary
Roots and tubers belong to the class of foods that basically provide energy in the human diet in the form of carbohydrates. The terms refer to any growing plant that stores edible material in subterranean root, corm or tuber [1, 2]. Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the Araceae family. It is cultivated for its edible corms and is a staple food throughout subtropical and tropical regions of the world. Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.)Schott) and tannia (Xanthosoma sagitiffolium (L.) Schott) locally known as 'Godare', are tuberous tropical food crops that supply high-energy food. Godare (Taro) has been grown in Ethiopia since time immemorial but how and when it was introduced to Ethiopia remains unclear [3].Taxonomically, Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott), belongs to Kingdom Plantae, Family – Araceaeand in the genus colocasia. The common Vernacular names of the species Taro in the world are True taro/old cocoyam in West Africa, Dasheen/Eddoe in West Indies,Taro in Pasific Islands, Elephant’s ear/ Yu Tou in Mandarin Chinese, Satoimo in Japanese,Godere/Bakka in Ethiopia and it is often called potato of the tropics in different areas of the world [4]
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