title: Pachyrhizus ahipa (Wedd.) Parodi roots and flour: Biochemical and functional characteristics.
abstract: Ahipa roots' chemical composition and physiological parameters were characterised; ahipa flour preparation procedures were selected and the chemical composition and functional properties of these products were studied. Ahipa roots and flour can be considered alternative food sources of gluten-free starch, with a considerable contribution of protein, fibre and minerals, such as potassium, calcium and iron. The grating process for ahipa flour production required a pressing step (AFGP) and the recovery of the starch leached. The slicing procedure (AFS) was simpler and the resulting product showed higher contents of potassium, magnesium, calcium and protein than did AFGP, which showed lower sodium and higher acid detergent fibre contents, together with lower gelatinisation temperature. Both flours differed in terms of α-amylase activity and swelling power, characteristics that may condition their specific applications, such as the incorporation of these flours as gluten-free functional food ingredients.
authors.affiliation: CIDCA (Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos), Facultad Ciencias Exactas Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP) - CONICET La Plata, 47 y 116 S/N°, La Plata B1900AJJ, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: María C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Doporto
authors.affiliation: CIDCA (Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos), Facultad Ciencias Exactas Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP) - CONICET La Plata, 47 y 116 S/N°, La Plata B1900AJJ, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mugridge
authors.affiliation: CIDCA (Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos), Facultad Ciencias Exactas Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP) - CONICET La Plata, 47 y 116 S/N°, La Plata B1900AJJ, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: María A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: García
authors.affiliation: CIDCA (Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos), Facultad Ciencias Exactas Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP) - CONICET La Plata, 47 y 116 S/N°, La Plata B1900AJJ, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Curso Bioquímica y Fitoquímica, Facultad Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales UNLP, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address: soniavia@quimica.unlp.edu.ar.
authors.forename: Sonia Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Viña
keywords: Foods for celiac patients; Mineral content; Protein and fibre; Thermal properties; Tuberous roots