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Cassava is one of the oldest cultivated crops in the world; its domestication occurred
approximately 9000 years ago in the Amazon region of Brazil (Alves-Pereira et al. 2018). In
tropical and developing countries, cassava holds great economic and nutritional importance
and feeds around 800 million people. Of the 278 million tons of cassava roots produced by 101
countries in 2018, about 60% is grown on the African continent, 30% in Asia, and 10% in the
Americas (FAOSTAT 2019). Cassava is the fourth most important source of calories for the
human diet in Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia, behind wheat, rice, and maize. Five
African countries are among the ten largest cassava-producing countries, which account for
75% of world production.
Cassava cultivars are classified in two types in Brazil: sweet cassava, aka “aipim,”
“macaxeira,” or “table cassava,” and bitter cassava, aka “mandioca brava” or “cassava for
industry.” These types are classified based on levels of cyanide (HCN) release, a highly toxic
substance if ingested. Sweet cassava contains less than 100 mg kg−1 of cyanogenic compounds
(CC) per fresh root, while bitter cassava contains more than 100 mg (Araujo et al. 2019). High
levels of CC require a complete detoxification process to reduce compounds to a safe level for
consumption (Montagnac et al. 2009). Cassava roots are very perishable and have a short
postharvest shelf life, which severely limits their potential in the market and potential benefits
to farmers. The roots exhibit visible symptoms of postharvest physiological deterioration
(PPD) within only 24–72 hours of harvest (Morante et al. 2010). The darkening caused by
physiological deterioration is an important factor that should be considered in root processing.
Like other root and tuber crops, cassava has high water content (∼65%), which is probably the
major limitation to improving the utilization potential of the crop, requiring rapid processing
into intermediate products to reduce transport costs, increase shelf life, and improve storage
capacity (Falade and Akingbala 2011).
In Brazil, both the cassava root and the starch extracted are processed and used to make
a series of products that can be consumed directly or used as ingredients in a wide variety of
foods (Oliveira et al. 2020a; Tomlins and Bennett 2017). Diversity of products in Brazil made
with processed cassava root. (Source: Figure adapted with photos from Alfredo Alves, Joselito
Motta, Oliveira et al. (2020a), Podium Alimentos)
In the last 20 years, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) has
received several demands from African cassava-producing countries and funding agencies for
development projects, requesting technical collaboration from Brazil to transfer technological
innovations related to the cultivation and postharvest processing of cassava. Cassava
cultivation in Brazil and many parts of Africa shares many similarities between Brazil and
Africa in both cultural and social aspects. The profile of cassava producers is similar, and most
cassava is produced on family farms. In addition, the agroecological similarities and the great
diversity of cassava processing products available in Brazil facilitate the transfer and adoption
of these technologies to Africa.
Energy 358
Calcium, Ca [mg] 20
Magnesium, Mg [mg] 1
Phosphorus, P [mg] 7
Potassium, K [mg] 11
Sodium, Na [mg] 1
Cassava By-products
Cassava is the basis of a multitude of products, including food, flour, animal feed,
alcohol, starches for sizing paper and textiles, sweeteners, prepared foods and bio-degradable
products. The products are derived from a number of forms of cassava, ranging from fresh
leaves and roots to modified cassava starch. The degree of processing and the technical
requirements tend to increase from the fresh form to the modified starch form.
All of the above products represent potential market development opportunities for
cassava. While some cassava is sold as fresh roots or leaves, even these products usually
receive some special post-harvest handling or treatment before they are consumed. As cassava
normally requires some form of processing before it can be consumed or sold, processing is of
central importance in the future of the crop. While the market potentials are great, it must be
remembered that these opportunities are location and time specific. Because of the specificity
of market opportunities, it is impossible to compile a list of priority market opportunities. The
following section, show the list of by products from different parts and form of Cassava
Cassava starch
Cassava contains a lot of starch and is called the "king of starch". Compared with being
eaten directly, more cassava is used to extract cassava starch. Because cassava starch has a
wide range of uses and has a large market demand. Moreover, with the development of science
and technology, the starch produced by modern cassava starch processing equipment is of high
quality and fast production efficiency. In some African countries, the cassava starch extraction
business is favoured.
Cassava flour
Cassava flour is an edible powder. It can be produced through simple cassava flour
processing process. The cassava flour processing process of Henan Jinrui is to wash the cassava
and crush cassava, then press out the water in the crushed cassava, and finally dry the ground
cassava pulp to produce the cassava flour. Because cassava flour is colorless, tasteless and
highly viscous, cassava flour can be used to make sugar, seasonings, and bread and other foods.
Screening
In separating the pulp from the free starch a liberal amount of water must be added to
the pulp as it is delivered by the rasper, and the resulting suspension stirred vigorously before
screening. Mixing with water can be carried out more or less separately from screening, but
more often the two operations are combined in "wet screening" - that is' the mass is rinsed with
the excess water on a screen which is in continuous motion.
Hand screening
In the smallest mills, screening is done by hand. The rasped root mass is put in batches
on a cloth fastened on four poles and hanging like a bag above the drain leading directly to
the sedimentation tanks. The pulp is vigorously stirred with both hands while screening.
Another type of centrifugal separator consists mainly of a horizontal imperforated drum
or bowl with a continuous spiral-ribbon starch remover or scraping device inside. The drum
rotates in a frame with bearings at both ends. Over a gearbox, the drum and the scraper are
driven at slightly different speeds by a direct-coupled motor. The starch milk enters the slightly
conical drum at the narrow end and passes to the other end where the liquid outlet is located.
On its way through the bowl the milk throws off starch grains and other solid matter'
which concentrate at the periphery. Here the concentrate is taken up by the scraper and brought
counter-current to the narrow end where it is discharged with the addition of fresh water. The
purest starch is made by using liberal amounts of soft water. Hard water (high in lime content)
has been known to leave calcium oxalate in the finished product.
Pressing or Dewatering
Pressing or Dewatering carried out using plate frame presser.The misture cntent of wet
starch will be reduced to 35 to 40%.
Mechanical dewatering techniques combining continuous transport compression and
discharging
Double screw press
Hydraulic unit
Combined pressate discharge
Heavy duty, stainless steel execution
The removal of free water from the starch sediment obtained in settling tanks and on
flour tables or from the concentrated slurries produced by separators and purifiers can be partly
accomplished by mechanical means (e.g., centrifugation). The final drying however must
always be performed by evaporation, either in the open air (sun drying) or in ovens.
In modern factories, oven drying is always combined with mechanical drying, the
whole operation, as in all other phases of the process, being conducted so as to take the least
possible time. The mechanical dryers used for this purpose include drying ovens, chamber
dryers, drum dryers, belt dryers, tunnel dryers, pneumatic dryers etc. Though mechanical
drying is costly, more uniform and quicker drying is possible while using mechanical dryers
besides facilitating drying throughout the period irrespective of weather.
Packing
Packaging of sago is carried out in different sizes according to the customer needs.
Dried sago have been dehydrated to a low moisture content of less than 12% to achieve
extended shelf life. They are often packaged in watertight and airtight bags and containers.
Cellophane bags which are moisture-proof, easy to use in automatic machines, but
difficult to stack, and boxes which are easy to stack and print advertising, and protect the fragile
sagos. In packaging line the product is first scaled, then sealed in the package, detected for
open flap and metals, double-checked the weight and last packed in large cases.
Let’s explore some of the numerous health benefits associated with this delicious and
nutritious food.
Although the majority of people are concerned about staying fit, there are also many
who seek options for healthy weight gain. Being underweight can be just as dangerous as being
obese, and tapioca may provide a quick and easy way to gain weight healthily. The high
carbohydrate content (one cup of tapioca equates to 45 percent of daily carbohydrate
requirement) means that it is easy to add bulk and calories to your diet without any unhealthy
cholesterol or saturated fats that can result in other health concerns. The majority of these
carbohydrates may come in the form of sucrose, while a slightly smaller amount comes from
complex sugar amylose. This makes tapioca an ideal choice for people who need to gain
weight, particularly after an illness, injury, surgery or an eating disorder.
Might Aid In Reducing Birth Defects
One of the bonus health benefits of tapioca is that it may contain a wealth of dietary
fiber. Fiber has been directly linked to improving a number of conditions within the human
body, but the most obvious is in terms of digestion.
Fiber bulks up the stool, which may help move it through the digestive tract, thereby
eliminating constipation, bloating, and intestinal pain. Furthermore, soluble fiber may even
help boost heart health by scraping excess cholesterol off the walls of arteries and blood vessels,
thereby helping reduce the incidence of associated issues like heart attack and stroke.
Protein is an essential element of human health, and while many people get their protein
intake from meat, fish, poultry, and dairy products, among other sources, vegetarians are
always looking for new ways to remain protein-packed.
As you probably know, proteins are the building blocks of a healthy life! Therefore,
tapioca is a wonderful option for vegetarians because may provide ample amounts of protein.
Therefore, your bodily processes, muscle development, growth, healing, and various essential
activities can continue as usual when tapioca is regularly added to your diet!
Tapioca may be a rich source of vitamin K, calcium, and iron, all of which play
important roles in the protection and development of bones.
Students often ask us about the benefits of taking an internship during their
degree programme – and it’s a good question! Degrees are hard work; on top of the
classroom hours there’s a lot of study time, not to mention exams, project work and
revision.
Internships offer students the chance to put what they are learning into action, in
a real-world environment. This helps you better understand the theories and strategies
you have been reading about, cementing the learning process and giving you greater
focus.
This knowledge will help you in your job hunting in the future, giving you an better
idea of the types of jobs you want – and perhaps more importantly – the types of job you
don’t want.
Build networks
As Porter Gale wrote, “your network is your net worth” and internships offer
students great networking opportunities. You’ll meet colleagues and team members, take
part in meetings and get to know new people in a professional environment.
If you distinguish yourself during your internship, you can make life-long
connections who can help you find positions, meet clients, or even make
recommendations.
When it comes to classwork, you will also reinforce why you are working towards
a qualification – giving you that extra push to study hard.
Conclusion
All the technological innovations detailed here are characterized by a high level of
technological maturity, which means they are qualified technologies, fully adopted in Brazil,
and, potentially, ready to be transferred directly, or with small adaptations, to other
international production systems. On the other hand, their positive impacts on society do not
seem to have been properly analyzed to create a vision of their success and how these
technologies can be framed within the readiness scale recently developed by CGIAR (Sartas et
al. 2020).
In the first training sessions carried out by Embrapa, the African candidates selected
were predominantly adult professionals, based in national R&D institutions primarily focused
on administrative management activities rather than research. Usually, these individuals held
administrative positions; some were not even involved with cassava crop. This lack of
proximity to cassava production may have hindered their effectiveness as a technology
multiplier inside and outside their institutions.