Effect of Gum Arabic Incorporation on the Proximate Composition and Sensory Properties of Biscuits Produced from Flour Blends of Wheat and Water Yam

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence gum Arabic incorporation on the proximate composition and sensory properties of biscuits produced from flour blends of wheat and water yam. Water yam was processed into flour and used in composite with wheat flour for biscuit production. Two formulations A and B were produced from the mixture of wheat and water yam flour in the ratios of 50:50 and 30:70, respectively. The two formulations each were used to produce biscuits with different concentrations of gum Arabic (0%, 0.3% and 0.5%) and 100% wheat flour as control. Biscuit samples were subjected to proximate and sensory analysis using standard methods. Increase in the concentration of gum Arabic resulted to an increase in the moisture content (5.63-6.41% and 5.31-6.01%), crude fibre (1.13-1.95% and 2.22-3.40%) and carbohydrate contents (76.96-78.99% and 73.73-77.75%) for formulations A and B, respectively. A decrease in the ash content (3.11-2.85% and 4.60-2.78%), fat (5.35-2.56% and 5.62-2.51%) and protein content (7.82-7.24% and 8.52-8.05%) was also observed as the concentration of gum Arabic increased for formulations A and B, respectively. Result of the sensory analysis revealed that the control biscuit sample was more preferable for colour, taste, flavor, softness and general acceptability while biscuit samples containing 0.5% gum Arabic was more preferred for crispiness and hardness. The result also showed that the incorporation of gum Arabic led to increased sensorial attributes of wheat/water yam composite biscuits. The control sample and biscuit sample containing 30% water yam flour, 70% wheat flour and 0.5% gum Arabic were significantly similar for crispiness, hardness, softness and overall acceptability suggesting that gum Arabic can be incorporated at 0.5% into wheat and water yam composite flour at 70% and 30%, respectively for the production of acceptable and quality biscuits.