Nutrient and Anti-Nutrient Content of Soy-Enriched Tapioca

Abstract

Tapioca is a cassava-based food product made in the form of irregular lumps of partly gelatinized starch grits. Tapioca was enriched with varying proportions of soybean flour (0, 85% - 15%, 75% - 25%, 50% - 50%) to produce Soy-tapioca (ST). Nutrient and anti-nutrient composition of ST were determined by standard methods, while sensory evaluation was also carried out. Results showed significant increase in protein, fat and mineral contents of tapioca as the level of soy-substitution increased. There was a decrease in the cyanogenic potential and an increase in the level of trypsin inhibitor as soy-substitution increased. Tannin, phytic acid and oxalate contents of the soy-tapioca samples were below minimum levels of safety. ST (50% - 50%) was more nutrient dense than the other products, but ST (85% - 15%) was more accepted in terms of colour, taste and texture. ST suggests a safe, nutritious and acceptable food product that can enhance food and nutrition security among cassava consuming populations.