The research aim was to evaluate the effects of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) incorporation on the functional, pasting and sensory properties of water yam (D. alata) flour. The water yam tuber was processed into flour, blended with CMC at various concentrations (0.05%, 0.25%, 0.50% and 1.00%) and compared with the control with 0.00% CMC. The pasting characteristics were significantly different (p<0.05) among the sample blends. On average, sample blends 0.50C and 0.05A had the lowest and highest value in their pasting properties including; peak viscosity (158.950-287.250RVU), trough viscosity (146.150-248.500RVU), breakdown viscosity (20.70-23.00RVU), final viscosity (270.300-406.100RVU), setback viscosity (12.415-15.760RVU) and pasting temperature (80.025-93.500oC) respectively. The functional properties of the sample blends were significantly different (p<0.05). The pH showed the least level of significance. The sensory attributes of paste from the sample blends were significantly different, although some sampleblends were comparable. These variations would improve on the choice and better utilization of water yam flour in variety of food applications.
Keywords: Functional Properties, Substitution, Water yam flour, carboxymethylcellulose, paste.
