Yam as anti-oxidant and rice substitute
ANTI-OXIDANTS are compounds that helps in the better circulation of blood in the diverse organs of the human body. This is possible because of the character of oxygen bonded with other elements.
Sometimes harmful chemical reactions occur when metabolic processes like digestion, respiration or circulation happens. It is also responsible in the formation and development of the bones and other skeletal organs.
There are commercial anti-oxidants that are being sold in the market in the form of tablets, capsules, liquids or mix with vitamins and minerals. Usually these are synthetically made. However, antioxidants can also be source out in its natural or raw form from plants.
One source of antioxidants are the yams. As of 1984 there are 600 species of yam recorded taxonomically. According to BAS (2006) two varieties of yam are commonly cultivated both in the lowlands and in the highlands. These are the ubi and tugui which in 2000 – 2005 were produce at 26,464 metric tons and 2,702 metric tons respectively. However, consumption of the product is between five to fourteen percent only.
Huang et al. (2007) found out that aside from being antioxidants, yam contains reasonable amount of protein, starch and amino acids.
Hence, it can be a good substitute for rice considering the low consumption rate and the costly status of commercial and non-commercial rice today. Cornago et al (2011) in a study entitled “Philippine Yam (Dioscorea spp.) Tubers Phenolic Content and Anti-oxidant Capacity) found out that highland tugi has better anti-oxidant activity compared to lowland tugi. The study also measured the anti-oxidant ability of other varieties like the Daking, Kimabajo, Rapang-rapang, Sampero and Shiket. Anti-oxidant activity means the movement of oxygen particles with respect to other compounds like iron or lipid compounds. In relation to the costly status of rice in the market today there is a need to establish a program on the propagation of yam. This is because several varieties can be raise in the lowland and highland conditions.