Yam is an important tuber crop nutritionally, socio-culturally, and an income generator for many Nigerian. This explains its high demand both locally and internationally, causing increased production as Nigeria leads world production with about 45.41 million metric tons annually. The peculiarity of yam production in Nigeria entails lower yield, high cost of production, and post-harvest losses. Yam produced in Nigeria falls far below the potential crop yield, therefore, it is essential to close these yield gaps through the provision of solutions to the different constraints that hamper sustainable yam production. Despite the challenges, there is still insufficient information on the impact of policies, weeds, pests, and diseases which constitute major constraints. Nigerian farmers mostly utilize indigenous cultural approaches to manage yam production. Their goal of production is to produce yam cultivars that are suitable mainly for food products leading to the neglect of other cultivars. Few selected institutions with a yam mandate have been working on improving the production of D. rotundata and D. alata through breeding yam cultivars suitable for consumption and resilient against pests and diseases. However, more extensive studies should focus on breeding programs for yam resilient under drought and flooding, with peculiar physicochemical properties that give unique textual qualities considered in pounded yam and other yam food products. In this review paper, the significance and limitations of yam production in Nigeria and her efforts to achieve sustainable production are extensively studied.

The purpose of this study was to confirm the possibility of using Korean purple yam (Dioscorea alata) as proximate composition, material, and antioxidant activity. In the proximate composition of the freeze-dried purple yam powder, the carbohydrate content was the highest at 86.67%, and in minerals, potassium showed the highest content at 1,765.69 mg/100 g. To study the antioxidant activity of purple yam, distilled water and 70% ethanol were used as extraction solvents. The total polyphenol, total flavonoid, and total anthocyanin contents were 1.3~1.6 times higher in 70% ethanol extract, than in the distilled water extract. As a result of ORAC, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity, SOD activity, and reducing power, the 70% ethanol extract showed higher antioxidant activity than the distilled water extract in all results. As a result of freeze-drying purple yam and measuring antioxidant activity by extraction solvents, it is concluded that purple yam can contribute to the food industry as a natural antioxidant and health functional material.

마에는 다양한 기능성 성분이 함유되어 있어서 식용 및 약용으로 다양하게 이용되고 있다. 특히 allantoin은 대표적인 마의 2차 대사산물로서 의약품 및 기능성 화장품 제조에도 활용되는 고부가가치 산물이다. 본 연구에서는 아미노 결합 정지상 HPLC 컬럼을 이용하여 마의 속과 껍질의 allantoin 함량을 분석하였다. Allantoin 표준용액의 검량 선의 결정계수(R2)값은 0.9999로 높은 직진성을 보였으며, 검출한계(LOD)와 정량한계(LOQ)는 각각 0.0229 mg/mL 및 0.0694 mg/mL로 설정되었다. 마 속과 껍질의 건조중량 기준 allantoin 함량은 각각 3.09±0.02 mg/g, 3.91±0.11 mg/g으로 속보다 껍질에 더 많은 allantoin이 함유되어있음을 확인하였다. 따라서 이러한 결과를 토대로 향후 농업부산물인 마껍질이 새로운 고부가가치 기능성 소재로 활용될 수 있음을 확인하였다.

The characteristics of extracts and precipitates after extraction at different water temperature (25, 50, 75, 95oC), ethanol ratio (25, 50, 75, 100%), and extraction method (stir, soak, autoclave) of yam powder and raw yam were investigated. The total polyphenol content was the highest in the 50% ethanol extract of yam powder. The DPPH radical scavenging activity was the highest in the 75% ethanol extraction and the crude saponin content was the highest in the 95oC water extraction. Tyrosinase inhibitory activity was the highest in 95oC water extraction, low concentration of ethanol extraction, and autoclave extraction. The peak viscosity, trough, and final viscosity of the precipitates increased after ethanol extraction, whereas decreased after the 95oC water extraction and the autoclave, indicating the destruction of starch granules. This was confirmed by observing the starch granules broken using the SEM. The significance of this study was to investigate the possibility of the use of yam resources as a material, processing product development, skin beauty functional food and cosmetic material.

얌빈(Pachyrhizus erosus, Yam bean)은 멕시코 원산의 아열대성 콩과 식물로서 아삭하고 즙이 많아 생으로 먹거나 다양한 요리재료로 사용되는 구근채소이다. 본 시험은 국내에서 얌빈 재배시 적정 파종시기를 찾고자 수행되었으며, 이를 위해 국내에서 주로 재배되는 2종을 대상으로 하여 온도에 따른 발아특성과 파종시기에 따른 적산온도 및 생산성을 비교하였다. 발아율은 18℃이상에서 86.0~94.0%를 보였으며, 발아 소요일수는 낮은 온도에서 길게 나타났다. 천군만마 품종이 태국 재래종에 비해 개화기나 구근 형성시기가 더 늦었고, 개화와 구근형성 및 비대에 필요한 적산온도도 각각 293℃, 280℃, 108℃가 더 소요되었으며, 지상부나 구근의 건물량은 더욱 많았다. 또한, 4월 25일 파종은 다른 시기에 비해 구근형성기까지 일수가 더 소요되었고, 구근형성과 비대시기의 지연으로 수확지수가 낮았으며, 6월 9일 이후 파종시는 영양생장이 충분하지 않은 상태에서 10월 하순 이후 저온 및 서리로 인해 생육이 정지되어 구근의 충분한 비대가 어려웠다. 한편, 5월 10일과 25일에 파종한 경우에는 일장, 온도 등의 변화가 영양생장과 구근형성에 유리하게 작용하여 얌빈 두 종 모두 구근 건물량과 수확지수가 높고 수량이 많아 파종시기로 적합하였다.

The physiochemical properties of dried yam (Dioscorea batatas) by freeze dryer, cold-air dryer or hot-air dryer were examined for chromaticity, water absorption index (WAI), water soluble index (WSI), rehydration, viscosity properties and pasting properties. Freeze dried yam was maintained higher degree of lightness and higher WAI and WSI than those of cold-air or hot air dried one. In the case of rehydration, freeze dried yam was restored within one hour. The viscosity properties of freeze dried yam were the highest viscosity in all shear rates. Freeze dried yam was milled by roll mill (RM), pin mill (PM) or jet mill (JM) to evaluate for particle size, starch damage, pasting property and microstructure. Particle size was JM < PM < RM as 13.85~112.50 μm. In the result of starch damage, it was the highest value as 8.83 in JM, was the lowest value as 7.47 in RM. In pasting property, JM had relatively low viscosity at all shear rates. In the Microstructure by measuring scanning electron microscope, JM particle surfaces were rough with high starch damage, and particle size was confirmed fine particles in JM.

The aim of this study was conducted to investigate the proximate and nutritional compositions including mineral, vitamin, amino acids and fatty acids in Korean yam (Dioscorea batatas DECNE.). Carbohydrate (68.1%) possessed the large single constituent of yam. Small amounts of crude protein (16.9%), crude ash (5.8%) and crude fat (2.0%) contents were found. Yam was found to be good sources of essential minerals such as K (1295.5 mg/100 g), Mg (115.3 mg/100 g), Na (99.0 mg/100 g) and Ca (56.5 mg/100 g) but Zn (0.3 mg/100 g) content was low. Relatively abundant vitamin B1 (11.5 mg/100g) could be observed while vitamin A, B3 and B6 were not found. The amino acid analysis revealed that the yam was superior with respect to glutamic acid (1770.6 mg%), lysine (1210.6 mg%) and urea (550.9 mg%). Essential amino acids were calculated to be 2954.5 mg%. The amino acid profiles showed that yam to be limiting in valine and leusine. Palmitic acid and linoleic acid were the most predominant fatty acids with the value of 31.5% and 41.5%, respectively. And the polyunsaturated fatty acids including linoleic acid and linolenic acid were present in a large quantities in yam. And it also contained higher amounts of unsaturated fatty acids compared saturated fatty acids.

The bioactive compound and antioxidant property of Korean yam (Dioscorea batatas DECNE.) were studied using in vitro methods. Yam available in Korea was analyzed for lycopene, chlorophyll a, b, tannin, phytic acid and total saponin contents. 70% Methanol, 70% ethanol and chloroform–methanol mixture (CM, 2:1, v/v) were used to extract yam. Then the antioxidant activity evaluated through ferrous ion chelating activity, β-carotene bleaching method, lipid peroxidation inhibition and nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging activity. 70% Methanol extract showed the highest ferrous ion chelating activity and NO radical scavenging activity. And CM extract was the most effective in inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation evaluated by β-carotene bleaching assay and lipid peroxidation inhibition assay. Based on the results obtained, yam is a potential active ingredient that could be applied in antioxidation as well as bio-health functional food to take a good part in prevention of human diseases and aging.

The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidant activity of Korean yam (Dioscorea batatas DECNE.) by different extraction solvents including 70% methanol, 70% ethanol and chloroform–methanol mixture (CM, 2:1, v/v). Raw yam was analyzed for its color property, total phenol content and antioxidant activity. Yam possessed high L* value and H° value, which were 81.64±2.59 and 83.36±0.15, respectively. Raw yam was found to have great antioxidant activity evaluated through ABTS [2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt] radical scavenging activity, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and ferric reducing antioxidant power. Total phenol contents of various extracts from raw yam increased in the following order: 70% methanol extract (37.62±0.88 mg CAE/g), 70% ethanol extract (43.38±0.66 mg CAE/g) and CM extract (67.17±0.12 mg CAE/g), respectively. The same trend was also could be found in the ABTS radical scavenging activity, DPPH radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays. These results implied that Korean yam might play an important role in antioxidation and serve as the bio-health functional food to take a good part in prevention of human diseases and aging.

In Korea, yam with thermal treatment is widely used to produce tea and beverage, which appeals to all age groups. To better understand the antioxidative activity of thermal treatment yam (Dioscorea batatas DECNE.), n-butanol and ethyl acetate extracts were evaluated with different antioxidant testing system. Their antioxidant activities, including ABTS [2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt] radical scavenging activity, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and ferric reducing antioxidant power as well as total phenol contents were assessed in vitro. Results showed ethyl acetate extract (51.63±2.51 mg CAE/g) possessed similar total phenol content compared with n-butanol extract (53.93±1.00 mg CAE/g). Ethyl acetate extract also exhibited similarly stronger antioxidant activity compared with n-butanol extract apart from ABTS radical scavenging activity assay.

This study aimed at evaluating the antioxidant activity of raw yam (Dioscorea batatas DECNE.) extracted by n-butanol and ethyl acetate. The antioxidant activities, including ABTS [2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt] radical scavenging activity, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and ferric reducing antioxidant power as well as total phenol contents were studied in vitro. Results showed ethyl acetate extract (111.88±0.66 mg CAE/g) possessed higher total phenol content than n-butanol extract (78.68±0.58 mg CAE/g). Ethyl acetate extract exhibited stronger antioxidant activity compared with n-butanol extract apart from reducing power assay.

n-Butanol and ethyl acetate extracts of thermal treatment yam (Dioscorea batatas DECNE.) belonging to the family Dioscoreaceae were measured for their radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation inhibition ability. In this study, ethyl acetate extract showed the most potent antioxidant activity evaluated by ferrous ion chelating activity and NO radical scavenging activity. Nevertheless, n-butanol extract was more effective in inhibiting linoleic acid peroxidation. A significant difference between n-butanol extract and ethyl acetate extract in nitrite scavenging activity β-carotene bleaching assays could not be found. Also, the results of this study showed that thermal treatment yam could be used as easily accessible source of natural antioxidants and as a possible food supplement.

In this study, n-butanol and ethyl acetate extracts were prepared from raw yam (Dioscorea batatas DECNE.). Their antioxidative potencies were investigated employing various in vitro methods, such as ferrous ion chelating, β-carotene bleaching assay, lipid peroxidation inhibition and nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging and nitrite scavenging activity. The n-butanol fraction was assayed to possess stronger antioxidant activity by β-carotene bleaching assay, lipid peroxidation inhibition and NO radical scavenging activity. However, ethyl acetate extract was more effective in chelating ferrous ion and scavenging nitrite. Based on the results obtained, yam is a potential active ingredient that could be applied in antioxidation as well as bio-health functional food to take a good part in prevention of human diseases and aging.

To better investigate the antioxidative property of thermal treatment yam (Dioscorea batatas DECNE.) in Korea, some established methods were used. 70% Methanol, 70% ethanol and chloroform–methanol (CM, 2:1, v/v) extracts were collected. 70% Methanol extract exhibited stronger antioxidative activity evaluated by ferrous ion chelating activity, NO radical scavenging activity and β-carotene bleaching assays. On the contrary, CM extract was the most effective in inhibiting linoleic acid peroxidation. Yam available in Korea was also analyzed for its bioactive compounds such as lycopene, chlorophyll a, b, tannin, phytic acid and total saponin contents. Total saponin was abundant in thermal treatment, which determined to be 42.52±1.88 mg/g. Based on the results obtained from this study, thermal treatment yam could be used as natural antioxidant source due to its high antioxidant activity and bioactive compound contents.

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant activity of thermal treatment yam (Dioscorea batatas DECNE.) in Korea. Thermal treatment yam was extracted by different solvents including 70% methanol, 70% ethanol and chloroform–methanol mixture (CM, 2:1, v/v). Then color property, total phenol content and antioxidant activity were analyzed. Yam possessed high L* value and H° value, which were 54.92±2.18 and 73.20±0.77, respectively. Thermal treatment yam exhibited great antioxidant activity evaluated by ABTS [2,2′ -azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt] radical scavenging activity, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and ferric reducing antioxidant power. Total phenol contents of various extracts from thermal treatment yam increased in the following order: 70% methanol extract (63.53±0.33 mg CAE/g), 70% ethanol extract (69.47±1.00 mg CAE/g) and CM extract (97.49±0.66 mg CAE/g), respectively. The same trend was also could be found in antioxidant activity assays except for reducing power assay. These results implied that these extracts from thermal treatment yam might be useful to take a good part in prevention of human diseases and aging.

In this study, the thermal treatment yam (Dioscorea batatas DECNE.) was analyzed for its proximate and nutritional compositions including mineral, vitamin, amino acids and fatty acids. Thermal treatment yam is mainly consisted of carbohydrate (70.3%) with small amounts of crude protein (15.8%), crude ash (5.1%) and crude fat (1.6%). It was found to be a good source of essential minerals such as K (1100.2 mg/100 g), Mg (99.4 mg/100 g), Ca (54.8 mg/100 g) and Na (44.9 mg/100 g) but Zn (4.8 mg/100 g) and Fe (0.2 mg/100 g) content was low. Little amounts of vitamin E (8.3 mg/100 g), vitamin C (3.5 mg/100 g) and vitamin B1 (2.1 mg/100 g) could be found. The amino acid analysis revealed that the yam was superior with respect to serine (1454.2 mg%), lysine (684.6 mg%) and histidine (684.6 mg%). Essential amino acids were calculated to be 2849.3 mg%. The amino acid profiles showed that thermal treatment yam is limiting in isoleucine and phenylaline. Linoleic acid was the most predominant fatty acids with the value of 47.3% followed by palmitic acid (24.7%) and oleic acid (12.7%). And the unsaturated fatty acids including oleic acid and linoleic acid were present in big quantities in thermal treatment yam.

In the present study, we investigated the physicochemical characteristics and sensory qualities of gruel with added ground yam (20~80%) to increase consumption and application of yams. pH and sugar content of sample gruel decreased with increasing yam content, whereas spreadability increased gradually. Lightness and greenness decreased; however, blueness increased as yam content increased. Viscosity decreased with increasing yam content. Gruel with 40% added yam was the most preferred for flavor, taste, texture, and overall preference. From these results, we found that adding 40% yam was the best to make gruel with high sensory quality.