Variance of Granular Morphology in Kithul (Caryota urens) Flour among Five Different Growing Areas in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Kithul (Caryota Urens) palm is a useful tree in Sri Lanka being the sap is used as an ingredient for a large number of foods. Kithul flour also will be a good ingredient having considerable gelling property. The
objectives of this study were to analyze the granular morphology of Kithul flour and study differences among flour samples from five main Kithul growing areas. Flour samples were collected from both household and commercial markets representing five main Kithul growing districts: Rathnapura, Kegalle, Kandy, Matale
and Kurunegala. Microscopic measurement of starch granules was done using light microscope under the magnification power of 400 x with Magnus live USB 2.0 viewer and Image tool for windows softwar). Flour treatments did not differ with respect to granular morphology with mean length and width of starch granule being 45.5 μm, 26.4 μm, respectively. This study showed different shapes of Kithul starch granules such as spherical, oval, and irregular globular with oval shape being the most common shape (51.4% of total granules). Analyzed results revealed that there were no significant differences among Kithul flour samples obtained from five main growing districts with respect to granular morphology which could be a positive point for using composite Kithul flour from different growing areas for future food applications.

KEYWORDS: Kithul flour, Caryota urens, granular morphology, granular shape, Kithul growing areas