Quality Evaluation of Sweet Potato - Acha Flour Blend Biscuits

The study investigates the chemical, physical and sensory properties of sweet potato and acha flour based biscuits. The work was aimed at ameliorating the quality of acha-based biscuit with addition of sweet potato flour. Flour blends were produced by substituting sweet potato into acha flour at 20, 40 and 60%. Proximate, physical and sensory properties of the biscuit were analyzed. The carbohydrate, moisture content, fat content, fibre and ash increased from 67.21 to 75.94, 5.69 to 6.74, 13.81 to14.87, 1.4 to 1.68, and 2.48 to 3.45 respectively with an increase in added sweet potato flour (20-60), while the protein decreased from 8.14 to 3.73. The relative decrease could be due to the low inherent protein of sweet potato. Magnesium, phosphorus and potassium increased from 220.33 to 375.22, 0.438 to 0.632 and 218 to 252.33mg/100g respectively with added sweet potato flour. There was an increase in break strength and spread ratio from 1.35 to 2.95 kg 4.80 to 5.13, respectively, with an increase in the level of sweet potato flour substitution. The reverse was observed for thickness and diameter of the biscuit which decreased from 0.70 to 0.60 and 4.28 to 4.13 cm, respectively. The average mean score of texture, colour, taste, flavour and general acceptability ranges from 6.05 to 7.65, 6.55 to 6.40, 5.55 to 6,25, 6.70 to 5.75 and 6.10 to 6.95, respectively. The sample 40:60 sweet potato-acha flour blend biscuit with average means scores of 6.95 was most preferred and acceptable with the corresponding increment of 3.45, 14.87, 8.14, and 1.68 of ash content, fat content, protein and crude fibre, respectively.