Effect of selected Rwandan wheat varieties on the physicochemical characteristics of whole wheat flour

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the wheat varieties newly introduced in Rwanda on the physicochemical characteristics of their whole wheat grains in order to know their potentials for processing. Gihundo wheat grain variety had the highest values for extraction yield (99.20 %), contents of ash (1.47 %) and total dietary fiber (15.97 %), water absorption capacity (89.00 %), dough development time (7.62 min) and brightness (84.67 %). For the same physicochemical characteristics, whole flour from Nyaruka wheat variety showed the lowest values for extraction yield (96.20%), water absorption capacity (80.00 %), dough development time (6.33 min) and brightness (80.33), while whole flour from Reberaho wheat variety exhibited the lowest values for the contents of ash (0.98 %) and total dietary fiber (12.44 %). The protein content ranged between 10.00 % and 10.85 % for whole flours from all wheat varieties. The results showed that whole flour from Gihundo wheat grain variety exhibited high values for most of the physicochemical characteristics determined in comparison to the other three varieties. It is important to select grains or flour from these wheat varieties newly introduced in Rwanda based on the individual cultivar because their derivative products could have a more desired quality.