• Joan Asis Senar

Abstract This study produced lesser yam (Dioscorea esculenta) flour as an alternative ingredient in producing healthy food bar. Specifically, this study (1) determined the nutritive value of lesser yam; (2) explained the procedure used in developing lesser yam healthy food bar; (3) identified the best proportion in making lesser yam healthy food bar; (4) determined the level of acceptability of lesser yam (Dioscorea esculenta), in terms of color, appearance, taste, aroma, and texture; (5) determined the shelf-life of healthy food bar based on ocular observation; and (6) identified the economic desirability of the product. The respondents of this study were teachers, parents, children, and Senior High School cookery students from Barangay Lupi, San Fernando, Camarines Sur. This study applied the descriptive - experimental, research and development (R&D) methods to meet the objectives. In data gathering this study, used questionnaire to determine the level of acceptability of the finished product. The statistical tool used were weighted mean to translate the responses of the respondents on the general acceptability of the finished product in terms of color, appearance, taste, aroma, and texture from lesser yam energy bar in the (3) three trials. The findings revealed that: (1) The nutritional value of fresh lesser yam per 100 grams include: food energy 76-112 (kcal), protein (2.1g), dietary fiber (1.1g), fat (0.9 g), crude fiber ( 4.2 g), carbohydrates (16.0 g), crude protein (1.5 g), water (76.7 g), calcium (20 mg), iron (0.2 mg), potassium (200.0 mg), zinc (0.3 mg),phosphorus (40 mg), sodium (10 mg), copper (0.20mg), ash (0.7 g ), vitamin B1 (0.06 mg), and niacin ( 0.9 mg). (2) the procedures involved in producing lesser yam (Dioscorea esculenta) were cleaning and washing of unpeeled lesser yam, steaming, peeling, and grating of lesser yam, drying to lessen the moisture, pulverizing of dried lesser yam, sifting, and storing of lesser yam flour in an airtight zip lock plastic or container. (3) the best proportion of lesser yam (Dioscorea esculenta) healthy food bar, using lesser yam flour as an alternative main ingredient was in proportion 2 (P2), because of the average weighted mean of 3.07 and the average amount of flour was 1 cup of lesser yam to make it moderately soft and chewy and it was interpreted as moderately acceptable. (4) the acceptability, of the three proportions, were P2 got the highest weighted mean of 3.07 while P1 obtained a weighted mean of 3.02 and P3 got the lowest weighted mean of 2.74. All three proportions were moderately acceptable to the respondents and the results of the evaluators showed that lesser yam can be an alternative ingredient in healthy food bar. (5) in terms of shelf – life, all three (3) proportions were found safe to consume up to 4 days; (6) all respondents received commendable high ratings ranging from 2.81 to 3.13, which has an equivalent descriptive interpretation of moderately desirable. Teacher-respondents got the highest score among all the respondents with an excellent rating of 3.13. Parents ranked second with a grade of 2.93. SHS-TVL Students ranked in third place with a rating of 2.90, whereas children-respondents got the last place in ranking who received the lowest weighted mean of 2.81. The results further showed that the nutritional value of a food product can impact its economic desirability. This study concluded that: (1) Lesser yam contains essential nutrients that nourished the body to help in improving one’s health, avoid diseases and satisfy dietary needs and choices for an active and healthy lifestyle; (2) there were specific procedures to be followed in producing lesser yam (Dioscorea esculenta) flour to save time, effort and ensure quality food product; (3) Proportion 2 (P2) with 1 cup of lesser yam flour was found to be the best proportion for producing healthy food bars. This amount, combined with jaggery as a sweetener, resulted in soft, chewy, and aromatic bars. (4) All three proportions were moderately acceptable to the respondents; (5) Lesser yam healthy food bars had a shelf life of 4 days at room temperature. (6) the lesser yam healthy food bar was moderately desirable.

lesser yam (Dioscorea Esculenta), flour, alternative main ingredient, healthy food bar

"Lesser Yam (Dioscorea Esculenta) Flour As an Alternative Healthy Food Bar", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 2, page no.f607-f644, February-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2502581.pdf

"Lesser Yam (Dioscorea Esculenta) Flour As an Alternative Healthy Food Bar", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 2, page no. ppf607-f644, February-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2502581.pdf