Variation in Colour Attributes of Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea) Flour from Five Different Provinces in Sri Lanka as a Potential Alternative for Wheat Flour

Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea) rhizome flour is a good gluten-free substitute for wheat flour. To evaluate the influence of colour on replacing wheat flour with arrowroot flour, the colour attributes of arrowroot flour from five different Provinces (Western, North-Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, and Uva) were compared with the colour of standard wheat flour. Using the colour of wheat flour as a standard, the colours of arrowroot flour samples were determined using a colourimeter (PCE-CSM 2, United States). Flour samples were examined for L* (lightness), a* (redness), b* (yellowness), and ΔE (colour deviation). Yellowness was significantly distinct, although lightness and redness were not statistically different. There were negative moderate correlations between L* and a* (-0.791; P < 0.05) and L* and b* (-0.831; P < 0.05). While there were some slight variations in the colour characteristics among different arrowroot flour samples, their colours were highly close to the colour of wheat flour.