Cassava starch granule structure–function properties: influence of time and conditions at harvest on four cultivars of cassava starch

Abstract Impact of environmental conditions on cassava starch variability was examined by studying four commercially important cultivars, Rayong 1, Rayong 60, Rayong 90, and Kasetsart 50 (KU 50). Age of the root and environmental conditions at harvest influenced granule structure and hydration properties. All cultivars were grown under identical field conditions, and harvested at different times. Starches extracted from cassava roots harvested at different times were characterised by unique starch granule structure and function. Apparent amylose size of starches from all cultivars did not change significantly during the trial period. However, apparent amylose content of starches changed, decreasing in the older roots. Granule size distribution was affected by age of the root, gradually changing from normal to bimodal distribution when harvested very late during the trial. The integrity and crystalline structure of starch granules also depended on the environmental conditions, evidenced as a change in peak profile obtained by thermal analysis. This can result in the difference in water uptake of starches, and their consequent swelling power and gelatinization. Pasting temperature of all starches increased during the dry period, and was lowered during the wet period. Peak and final viscosity of starch decreased from early to mid-harvest time when environmental conditions became drier, and increased close to or greater than the original value when conditions became wet again. Breakdown and setback also followed a similar trend to viscosity. This study suggests an impact of time and conditions of harvest on the structural and functional properties of all cassava cultivars, and based on this study, it is recommended that starch should be extracted from either early or very late harvested roots.