INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION OF LAUNDRY STARCH FROM CASSAVA TUBERS OBTAINEDFROM KEFFI, NASARAWA STATE

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a vital crop in Nigeria, serving both as a staple food and a raw material for numerous industries. However, the dependence of starch industries on edible cassava varieties creates competition between food and industrial uses, thereby threatening food security. This study investigated the industrial production of laundry starch from edible and non-edible cassava tubers obtained from Keffi, Nasarawa State. Fresh cassava roots and stems were processed to determine weight differences, starch yields, nutritional composition, and physicochemical properties such as pH, density, titratable acidity, and electrical conductivity. The results showed that non-edible cassava varieties consistently outperformed edible varieties, with higher initial weights, greater starch yields (309 g vs. 195 g), and favorable environmental properties of the starch slurry. Nutritional analysis revealed that cassava flour provided higher caloric (342 kcal) and protein (1.5 g) values than raw cassava roots (153 kcal and 0.7 g, respectively), though with significantly reduced fiber content (12 g compared to 60 g). The physicochemical parameters indicated that cassava starch is stable and suitable for diverse industrial applications, especially in laundry production. The findings highlight the industrial potential of non-edible cassava as a sustainable alternative to edible varieties, reducing food-versus-industry competition and promoting economic benefits for farmers and processors. This study provides baseline data for industries and policymakers, encouraging the adoption of non-edible cassava for largse-scale starch processing in Nigeria.