Abstract
Sensory qualities that are perceptible to the human senses such as appearance, flavor, texture, scent, taste, and general acceptability of food are commonly used to evaluate the quality of food product. This study was carried out to analyze the sensory properties of blends of aerial yam and soybean flours. The aerial yam bulbs and soybean seeds were processed into flour. The flours were then blended at different ratios, in percentage of (aerial yam flour: soybean flour) 25.00:75.00 (sample A); 37.50:62.50 (sample B); 50.00:50.00 (sample C); 62.50:37.50 (sample D); and75.00:25.00 (sample E), respectively. Sensory properties of the blended flour samples were assessed using a 9-point Hedonic scale. The results obtained showed that sample ‘A’ recorded 8.00, 8.50, 8.60, 7.00, 6.80 and 7.80 scores for appearance, aroma, color, texture, taste and overall acceptability, respectively. Sample ‘B’ recorded 7.50, 8.20, 8.80, 8.00, 7.00 and 8.00 scores for appearance, aroma, color, texture, taste and overall acceptability, respectively. Sample ‘C’ had 8.30, 7.80, 7.10, 7.50, 8.00 and 7.74 scores for appearance, aroma, color, texture, taste and overall acceptability, respectively. Sample ‘D’ recorded 7.00, 6.90, 7.00, 7.20, 7.60 and 7.14 scores for appearance, aroma, color, texture, taste and overall acceptability, respectively. Sample ‘E’ had 7.80, 7.00, 6.80, 6.80, 7.90, and 7.26 scores for appearance, aroma, color, texture, taste and overall acceptability, respectively. The flour blend samples were generally accepted by the panelist, indicating that they possessed good and acceptable sensory properties. Aerial yam flour- soybean flour blend at the right proportion could be useful in new food products formulation/development in the confectionery food system and the pasta industry.
References
Agu, H. O., Ihionu, J. C., and Mba, J. C. (2023). Sensory and physicochemical properties of biscuit produced from blends of whole wheat, soy okara and tigernut residue flours. Heliyon journal, 9, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15318 Bello, F. A., Edeke J. E., and Sodipo, M. A. (2019). Evaluation of chemical, functional and sensory properties of flour blends from sorghum, African yam bean and soybean for use as ccomplementary feeding. International Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology. 4(3), 74-81. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijfsb.20190403.13 Edet, B. E., Etim, P. J., Udo, A. U., Ekop, I. E., and Umoh, E. O. (2024). Sensory evaluation of croaker fish exposed to solar and traditional drying methods. AKSU Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, 8(3), 63-70. Hussain, M., Rababah, T., Malik, A., Saqlain, M., Azam, M., Almajwal, A., AL-Rayyan, N., Hamadneh, B. N., Bartkut?-Nork?nien?, V., and Jammal, R. M. (2025). Enhancing the functional qualities of soy flour cookies through solid-state fermentation with Streptococcus thermophilus. AIMS Agriculture and Food, 10(3), 543–563. Ikpeme, C. A., Osuchukwu, N. C., and Oshiele, L. (2010). Functional and sensory properties of wheat (Aestium triticium) and taro flour (Colocasia esculenta) composite bread. African Journal of Food Science, 4(5), 248-253. Iwe, M. O. (2003). The science and technology of soybean: chemistry, nutrition, processing, utilization. Rojoint Communication Services Ltd., Enugu, Nigeria. Pp 1-6. Obasi, N. E., Ukah, O. G. and Okakpu, C. J. (2018). Formulation and evaluation of complementary foods from flour blends of sprouted paddy rice (Oryza sativa), sprouted African yam bean (Sphenostylis sternocarpa) and pawpaw fruit (Carica papaya). Advances in Research, 15(5), 1-18. Princewill–Ogbonna, I. L., and Ezembakwa, N. C. (2015). Effect of various processing methods on the pasting and functional properties of aerial yam (Dioscorea bulbifera) flour. British Journal of Applied Science and Technology. 9(5), 517-526. Princewill-Ogbonna, I. L. and Ibeji, C. C. (2015). Comparative study on nutritional and anti- nutritional composition of three cultivars (red, green and yellow) of aerial yam (Discorea bulbifera). IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology.9(5), 79-86. Umoh, E. O. (2020). Evaluation of proximate composition, functional properties and anti- nutritional factors of aerial yam-soybean flour. International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, 5(1), 70-74. Umoh, E. O., Iwe, M. O., and Ojimelukwe, P. C. (2021). Optimization of extrusion process parameters for the antinutritional compositions of aerial yam (Dioscorea bulbifera)- Soybean (Glycine max) flour blends using Response surface methodology. International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, 6(6), 62-69. Umoh, E. O. and Abasiekong, K. S. (2024). Production and quality evaluation of pasta from aerial yam and soybean flour blend using single-screw extruder. Research Journal of Food Science and Quality Control, 10(4), 24-41. https://doi.org/10.56201/rjfsqc.v10.no4.2024.pg24.41 Umoh, E. O., Iwe, M. O., and Ojimelukwe, P. C. (2024). Optimization and validation of extrusion process parameters for the sensory characteristics of aerial yam and soybean flour blends. Asian Journal of Science and Applied Technology, 13(2), 14-24. https://doi.org/10.70112/ajsat-2024.13.2.4246 Umoh, E. O. and Ekanem, M. C. (2024). Effects of barrel temperature, screw speed and moisture content on the organoleptic properties of aerial yam and soybean flour extruded snacks. African Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Research, 16(1), 51-62. https://doi.org/10.62154/ajasfr.2024.016.010409 Umoh, E. O., Iwe, M. O., Ojimelukwe, P. C., and Etim, P. J. (2025). Extrusion cooking and its impact on the overall acceptability of snacks produced from aerial yam and soybean composite flour. African Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Research, 18(1), 36- https://doi.org/10.62154/ajasfr.2025.018.010603