Abstract
A study was carried out to determine the levels of starch, protein, crude fat, crude fibre, ash and a few phytochemical constituents (saponins, flavanoids and alkaloids) and mineral elements (Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Potassium and Zinc) in four cultivars of yams and tubers cultivated under similar agro-climatic conditions in Sri Lanka. Tubers of Dioscorea alata ( Rajala and Hingurala ), Dioscorea esculenta ( Kukulala ) and Xanthosoma sagittifolium ( Kiriala ) were subjected to the above analyses. The total starch percentage in crude flours ranged between 74.66 ± 0.66 to 80.46 ± 0.62% on dry weight basis and no significant difference found in total starch ( P ) between the studied varieties. The protein level ranged from 2.66 ± 0.21 to 10.16 ± 0.64% whereas D. alata was found to contain a higher protein level. The crude fat levels in tubers varied ranging from 1.5 ± 0.2 to 2.3 ± 0.1% and the highest level was observed in Xanthosoma sp . The crude fibre content in tubers was found to range from 1.8 ± 0.1 to 2.33 ± 0.15% and the highest level was observed in D. esculenta and the ash level ranged from 1.66 ± 0.21 to 2.33 ± 0.21%. There was no significant difference ( P ) between the total starch in the extracted starch from the tubers and ranged from 86.3 ± 1.2 to 89.85 ± 1.11%. Crude saponin levels were significantly higher (P D. alata and X. sagittifolium contained a level which was comparable ( P> 0.05 ; 12.98 ± 0.61 and13.11 ± 0.52 mg/100g. High amount of flavonoids were observed in D. esculenta and X. sagittifolium (12.4 ± 0.46 and 11.26 ± 0.46 mg/100g). A considerable level of alkaloids was present in D. alata and D. esculenta (1.64 0.04 ± mg/100g and 1.89 ± 0.02 mg/100g). All three cultivars of yams were rich in Calcium and Iron while a high level of Magnesium was observed in Xanthosoma sp (45.27± 0.31 mg/100g). High levels of Potassium were observed in all the samples. Tropical Agricultural Research and Extension 15(1): 2012: page 32-36 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/tare.v15i1.5240
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