ABSTRACT

 Three varieties of yellow cassava UMUCASS 36 (TMS 01/1368), UMUCASS 37 (TMS 01/1412) and UMUCASS 38 (TMS 01/13 71) were assessed for their potential usage in processing into acceptable cassava slices (abacha) and cassava shreds (nsisa). Total Carotenoid and Hydrogen Cyanide contents were evaluated at the different stages of cassava slices (peeled, washed, boiled and soaked for 24, 48 and 72 hours) and cassava shreds (peeled, washed, boiled, washed (after boiling) and dried) productions. Results showed that the various processing stages reduced the Total Carotenoid and Hydrogen Cyanide contents of the yellow cassava root varieties. Total Carotenoid content losses were mainly incurred after the boiling and oven drying processes for cassava slices and cassava shreds respectively. Hydrogen Cyanide content losses were mainly incurred after the boiling process for both cassava slices and cassava shreds. The Total Carotenoid content of cassava slices (abacha) after boiling ranged from 4.4 to 5.07tgIg (Total Carotenoid content of 60.27 to 65.12%) while that of cassava shreds (nsisa) after oven drying ranged from 2.07 to 2.33 jtg/g (Total Carotenoid content of 64.6 to 65.86%). The Hydrogen Cyanide Content after boiling ranged from 5.55 to 6.92mg/kg (Hydrogen Cyanide content of 38.69 to 40.46%) for cassava slices and 6.22 to 6.95mg/kg (Hydrogen Cyanide content of 39.54 to 42.59%) for cassava shreds. Sensory evaluation results showed that, generally, UMUCASS 36 was most preferred for the production of cassava slices (Abacha) having a general acceptability mean score of 8.00 while all the three varieties were generally preferred for the production of cassava shreds (nsisa) having general acceptability mean scores which ranged from 7.10 to 7.25. Bio-fortification of cassava roots to increase their Total Carotenoid contents should be encouraged and yellow cassava roots should be used more for the production of cassava slices (abacha) and shreds (shreds) because of their Total Carotenoid and relatively low hydrogen cyanide contents.