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The pasting properties of starch are influenced by the starch-hydrocolloid interaction in the mixed system. In this study, the effect of pectin extract from three okra genotypes (Agbagoma, Asontem, and Sengavi) at concentrations of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% on the pasting properties of starch were investigated. The pasting properties of the mixed systems were determined using the Rapid Visco-Analyzer. The results showed that okra pectin decreased the peak viscosity and setback value of starch with the highest exhibited by Agbagoma and Asontem. The final viscosity of starch was increased in most samples except for 10–15% Agbagoma and 15% Asontem pectin systems. The peak time (3.84 − 6.84 min) increased with increasing okra pectin concentration. Pasting temperature for the mixed systems ranged from 51.24 oC (for 10% Sengavi) to 80.65°C (for 15% Agbagoma). Overall, okra pectin affected the pasting properties of starch and decreased starch retrogradation.

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is an economically important crop in sub-Saharan Africa. The vegetable is of major technological interest in food and medicinal applications. A survey was conducted by administering structured questionnaires (1560) in major okra-producing regions in Ghana to determine the level of okra utilization and nutritional and medicinal attributes of the crop. The okra pectin yield and intrinsic viscosity at different maturity stages were also investigated. Isolation of okra pectin from the pods at different harvest maturity was performed by aqueous extraction at pH 6.0. The intrinsic viscosity [η] of the okra pectin solutions was determined at 20°C using Ubbelohde capillary viscometer. The survey showed that okra is well known (96.9%) across the country among the various ethnic groups. The majority (94.7%) of the respondents use okra as food, whereas few utilized the crop as medicine (22.1%) and for other applications (9.6%). The respondents widely used okra in the form of soup (73.1%) and stew (68.7%) consumed popularly with banku (81.3%) and tuo zaafi (38.8%). The majority of respondents (65.2%) showed interest in the development of new products from okra. Highest pectin yield was obtained for intermediate matured fruits, followed by that of immature fruits and lowest for overgrown fruits. The intrinsic viscosity value, however, was highest for immature fruits. The study showed that okra is mainly used as food among various ethnic groups and that it is important to identify the most appropriate stage of development to harvest the okra fruit. This knowledge would enhance the potential of okra for specific use or functionality.