Abstract
Taro, commonly known as Amadumbe is a traditional Southern African tuber crop. In this study, the influence of genotypes and environment on the physicochemical properties of amadumbe starches were investigated. Nine amadumbe genotypes grown at two different agro-ecological locations were studied. The genotypes had smaller sized (1-5µm) and polygonal starch granules. The amylose contents (0-14%) of amadumbe starches were low and varied significantly due to the variation in growth location and genotypes. Three genotypes namely G2, G20, and G21 seemed to lack the amylose molecule. The crystallinity pattern of starch was not affected by genotype and environment. All tested amadumbe starches showed reflective peaks at 2θ=15o and a doublet at 17° and 18°, typical of A-type starches. Functional properties including water absorption, swelling power, and peak viscosity significantly and positively correlated with amylose contents, which would help in future improvement programme for industrial production of amadumbe.
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