Quality and Storability of Pelleted Cassava (Manihot utilisima) Leaves var. Bitter

Abstract

This study was done to determine the effect of pelleting cassava (Manihot utilisima) leaves var. bitter on its quality and storability. Based on 2 × 4 factorial experimental design, 2 forms of cassava leaves (powder and pellet) and 4 storage periods (4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks) were applied on the samples. Dried cassava leaves were ground to powder form and then half of it was pelleted using 15% DM cassava starch as binder. Those 2 forms of cassava leaves were stored for 4, 6, 8, or 12 weeks in unvacuumed and vacuumed plastic bags. Evaluation on quality was done in each period; however samples stored in the vacuumed plastic bags only were evaluated in the end of week 12. Pelleted cassava leaves showed lower crude protein (22.04 vs. 24.68%) and lower total carotene (60.72 vs. 84.19 mg/100 g DM) contents (P<0.01). After 12 weeks in storage, no effect were showed on crude protein concentration but lower total carotene content was detected (P<0.01) on week 12. In addition, storing cassava leaves in vacuumed plastic bags could maintain total carotene content compared to those without vacuumed plastic bags. It can be concluded that pelleting cassava leaves with 15% DM cassava starch decreased crude protein and total carotene content; packing cassava leaves in vacuumed plastic bags could maintain total carotene content up to 12 weeks.