Evaluation of qualities of extruded snacks from yellow cassava flour substituted with processed sesame seed’s flour

Advocacy on the utilization of locally grown crops keeps increasing. This study was however carried out to evaluate the qualities of extruded snacks from blends of yellow cassava and sesame seeds flour. The yellow fleshed cassava roots and sesame seeds (germinated and fermented) were dried, milled and sieved prior to further analysis. Flour of each of the processed sesame seed was blended with yellow cassava flour at substitution levels of 0, 15 and 30%. Functional and anti-nutritional analyses were carried out on the flour blends. The flour blends were mixed thoroughly to produce extruded snacks in a single screw extruder before frying in a deep fryer. Anti-nutrient, proximate and sensory evaluations were carried out on the extruded snacks. There was considerable increase in the functional and proximate compositions with an increase in sesame seed flour incorporation most especially samples with 30% fermented sesame seeds flours, but with a considerably low anti-nutrient in the extrudates. Extruded samples with 30% Fermented sesame seed flour also had the highest (7.20) rating with regards to the overall acceptability closely followed by extruded snacks from 100% yellow cassava flour (7.05) and samples with 30% germinated sesame seeds flour. The results indicated significant differences (p<0.05) among the samples.  This research revealed that extruded snacks can be produced from non-wheat flours which will reduce over dependence on imported wheat and hence increase the utilization of locally grown crops. It will contribute to large scale production and utilization of the crops for enhanced national food security.