Physical and Proximate Characterization of Anchote (Coccinia abyssinica) Accessions Grown under Hawassa and Wondo Genet Conditions, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

This research was undertaken to investigate the effects of anchote accessions and growing areas on the physical and proximate composition of the roots. The physical properties were measured using standard measurements. The major and minor diameters as well as the root peel thickness were measured using a digital caliper. The proximate composition was assessed using standard methods. Both the physical properties (major and minor diameters, aspect ratio, root peel thickness, peel proportion to root and root densities) and proximate compositions of anchote roots were significantly influenced by accessions type and growing sites. Over all, better quality, in terms root peel thickness and peel to root ratio, were observed for the accessions grown at Hawassa. The anchote accessions grown at Wondo Genet site were observed to have higher levels of crude protein, crude fiber and gross energy than those grown at Hawassa. Higher ash content was associated to the accessions grown at Hawassa site.

Keywords: Anchote, physical properties, aspect ratio, major diameter, minor diameter, root peel thickness, root density, proximate composition