Cassava Pectin and Textural Attributes of Cooked gari (eba) and fufu Dough

Abstract

The textural attributes of cooked gari (eba) and fufu dough may be affected by the pectin content of the cassava roots; thus, exploring the interaction between pectin and the texture attributes of processed products such as gari and fufu may assist the processors and consumers of the product. The pectin and starch contents, and the composition of the amylose/amylopectin ratio, influence most of the textural changes in roots and tubers during processing, and subsequent preparation for consumption. The textural characteristics of the cooked gari (eba) and fufu dough that may be influenced by the pectin content of the cassava roots include hardness, adhesiveness, gumminess, and moldability/cohesiveness. However, there is presently little or no information on the direct relationship between the pectin content of different cassava varieties and the textural attributes of the cooked gari and fufu dough; therefore, there is a need to evaluate the effect of pectin in different cassava varieties on the textural attributes of cooked gari and fufu dough. This will guide gari and fufu producers on the right varieties to be used for gari and fufu to maintain the textural characteristics of the cooked gari and fufu dough preferred by the consumers.