PROCESSING AND ACCEPTABILITY OF FRIED CASSAVA BALLS ("AKARA-AKPU") SUPPLEMENTED WITH MELON AND SOYBEAN FLOURS

The processing and acceptability of fried cassava balls (“Akara‐akpu”) supplemented with melon and soybean flours were studied. Cassava flour, defatted soybean flour and cassava mash were produced. Some functional and chemical properties of the flours were determined. Akara‐akpu prepared from 100% cassava mash served as control; 100% cassava flour, 80% cassava flour + 20% defatted soybean and 70% cassava flour + 30% defatted melon flour were prepared. Akara‐akpu balls were subjected to chemical and physical analyses. Akara‐akpu prepared from composite flour blends had higher protein, fat, ash and energy value than Akara‐akpu from 100% cassava mash. The cyanide content and degree of starch gelatinization of Akara‐akpu prepared from 100% cassava mash (control) were higher than Akara‐akpu prepared from cassava mash plus composite flour blends. There was a significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) in weight and yield between Akara‐akpu prepared from 100% cassava mash (control) and cassava mash plus composite flour blends. There was no significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) in volume between Akara‐akpu made from control sample and those cassava plus composite flour blends.