This study aimed to assess the acceptability of arrowroot flour (Maranta arundinacea L.) in the production of salt bread (pandesal) in the country. Two experiments were conducted namely, pre-experiment and actual experiment. The pre-experiment had two trials in making pandesal wherein the first trial focused on producing traditional pandesal (T1, 0%) while the second trial used different percentages of arrowroot flour (T2, 20%; T3, 30% and T4,40%) to determine the optimum ratio with selected flours. The acceptability used a 9-point Hedonic scale wherein 9 is the highest (Like extremely) and 1 (Dislike extremely). Results showed that T1 had the highest general acceptability (7.8, ) followed by T3 (7.5) and both were labeled as ‘Like very much’ while T2 (6.8) and T4 (6.7) were both labeled as ‘Like moderately’. In terms of cost, T1 was the cheapest and T4 as the most expensive. While arrowroot-based flour pandesal is more expensive right now, it was found out to acceptable flour substitute in making pandesal. The use of this flour as alternative in producing bread can help address the problem of the country’s heavy dependence on imported flour. Result of this study and further studies on the use of arrowroot flour will support local farmers in growing arrowroot for other potential uses.

Authors and Affiliations

Ma. Elaine S. Visco* and Von Ryan M. Ebron

Institute of Human Nutrition and Food, College of Human Ecology, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College 4031, Laguna, Philippines

*correspondence: msvisco@up.edu.ph

Cite this article

Visco, M. E. S. & Ebron, V. R. M. (2024). Going Local? Assessment of Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea L.) Flour in Pandesal Making in the Philippines. Journal of Human Ecology and Sustainability, 2(1), 10. https://doi.org/10.56237/jhes24003

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