1.0 Introduction
Globally, there is a notable increase in demand and price of cereals, especially wheat, which consequently influences the price of cereal-based products (FAO, 2013). Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is an extensively cultivated tuber crop and a staple food for millions of people in the tropical regions of Africa, Latin America and Asia. Globally, in terms of annual production, it is the fifth most important food crop after maize, rice, wheat and potato. Despite all the usefulness of cassava, its use as a food source is limited by its perishability, its low protein content and its potential toxicity.
According to Briani et al., (2008), the rising cost of importing wheat flour for food in many developing countries such as Nigeria has spurred the need for research to develop suitable flour from local agricultural materials such as cassava, which are cheaper but also possesses suitable quality attributes and functional properties. Furthermore, wheat flour contains gluten which causes celiac disease especially to gluten intolerant persons (Briani et al., 2008). Studies have recommended gluten-free diet as a suitable treatment for patients with celiac disease, gluten intolerance and wheat allergic reactions (Gaesser & Angadi, 2012; Alvarez & Boye, 2014).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitation of the study and Definition of technical terms.
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