2001 AACC Annual Meeting Charlotte, North Carolina October 14-18, 2001 Charlotte Convention Center

Xanthosoma sagittifolium (cocoyam or tannia) plants produce underground storage organs that mainly contain starch and fiber. Starch from this underground storage organ can be obtained using the traditional wet milling processing. The necessity of obtaining new starches with variety of functional attributes without modification, has led to study starches from non-traditional sources. Starch was isolated from Xanthosoma sagittifolium underground organs following methodology described by Perez et al, 1998. Samples of Xanthosoma sagittifolium and tapioca starches were evaluated in their rheological and physicochemical properties. Water absorption, solubility and swelling power were determined according to Whistler, 1964. The apparent viscosity was performed using the viscosímeter Brookfiel according Whistler and Paschall, 1967. Gelatinization profile was performed using the Brabender amylograph according to the A.A.C.C., 1997 and Mazur et al, 1957. Results shown differences in functional properties of Xanthosoma sagittifolium starch compared to tapioca starch. Gelatinization profile was different, viscosity was increased, and differences were also observed in water absorption, solubility, and swelling power. The properties evaluated in the starches will allow elucidating their possible use at industrial level.