Abstract

PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND TENSILE STRENGTHS OF NATIVE AND TABLET FORMS OF WATER YAM (DIOSCOREA ALATA) STARCH FLOUR

Oluwagbenle Henry Niyi*, Akinsola Abiodun Folasade and Daso A.

Abstract

The physicochemical and mechanical properties of water yam (Dioscorea alata) starch were determined. The mechanical properties were determined using density measurement and the Heckel and Kawakita plots. Water yam starch and tablets had low flowability and less densification during die filling at low applied pressures but there was increase in the value of plastic deformation during the compression process. The mean yield pressure Py, which is the inverse of the starch plasticity Pk, while the brittle fracture index as well as the tensile strength of the starch and tablets at different intervals were found to be moderate in values.

Keywords: Physicochemical, Tensile strength, Tablet, Starch.