3.3.5. Oil absorption capacity
The oil absorption capacity (OAC) is of paramount importance from an industrial point of view as it reflects emulsifying properties (Maninder et al., 2007). The ability of flours to absorb oil may help to improve mouthfeel, enhance flavour retention and facilitate binding of the structure. The OAC of raw and blanched elephant foot yam flours varied significantly between 2.43 and 2.82 g/g (Table 2). Among raw-dried flours IDSR showed the maximum OAC whilst in case of blanched-dried flour samples FDB exhibited the lowest value of OAC. The values were found to be lower than those re- ported by Aguilera, Estrella, Benitez, Esteban, and Martín-Cabrejas (2011). This discrepancy in OAC could be explained due to the dif- ference in protein content, protein-lipid, lipidelipid interactions and porosity in the flours.