NUTRITIVE COMPOSITON OF RHIZOMES IN TARO CLONES CULTIVATED IN DOURADOS-MS

Abstract

Two research studies were carried out at the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, in Dourados-MS, between October, 1997, and April, 1999, to determine the nutritive composition of starch contents of rhizome corms (RM) and cormels (RF) of Japonês, Macaquinho, Branco, Cem/Um and Chinês taro clones. The smallest percentages of water content in fresh mass in RM and RF were found in the Chinês clone. Mineral residue content in RM varied from 2.71% (Chinês) to 3.61% (Branco), and in RF from 4.68% (Chinês) to 6.71% (Japonês). The highest lipid contents were found in Macaquinho taro (0.44% in RM and 0.62% in RF) and the smallest in Chinês (0.32 in RM and 0.25% in RF). Protein contents were higher in RF than in RM. Starch contents of RM were slighter larger than those of RF. Total caloric value (VCT) of taro showed variation dependent on clones and the type of rhizome analyzed. Given the percentage of different nutritive compounds, mainly starch, and the VCT of the RM rhizome, it was conclude that RM can replace RF.

KEY-WORDS: Colocasia esculenta; starch compounds; utritive value.