ABSTRACT

The study is to assess the cyanogenic and chemical composition of gari samples in different locations in Abia state, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study are to: assess the proximate composition of the gari samples from different locations of Abia State; assess the mineral content of the cassava samples and; determine the antinutrients such as hydrogen cyanide, tannins and phytate present in the gari samples. In this study, gari was produced from a freshly harvested cassava tuber. Two samples of cassava products (gari) were collected from Ikwuano, Arochukwu, Ohafia and Bende locations of Abia state. Antinutrients analyzed were saponins, calcium oxalate, trypsin, glycosides, tannins and phytates which ranged from 0.00-0.05mg/100g. Cyanogenic content ranged from 4.10-5.09 mgHCN/lOOg were all below the FAO/WHO recommendation (<10mg cyanide equivalent 5/kg DM) and this could be all safe for consumption. The study showed that, sodium, potassium magnesium and phosphorus are present in the gari sample, the minerals were found contained in all gari in Abia State in very minute quantities with sample 411. The study further showed that all gari samples were found to contain Antinutrients especially Saponins, Calcium oxalate, Trypsin inhibitors, Glycoside, Tannis and phytate. The proximate analysis showed the protein (1.42-2.24%), fat content (0.60-0.69%), crude fibre (0.63-1.71%), ash (1.98-2.30%), carbohydrate (81.82-85.88%). The functional properties were water absorbing capacity (100.58- 150.45mg/ml), swelling capacity (174.76-214.73g/ml) and bulk density (7.54-8.27g/ml). Mineral content were 0.14-0.21, 0.03-0.05, 0.12-0.98% (mg/lOOg) for Ca, Na and K respectively and 0.04-0.09, 0.02-0.04 mg/lOOg for Mg and P respectively