Evaluation of cowpea germplasm lines for protein and mineral concentrations in grains

Cowpea, an indigenous crop to sub-Saharan Africa, is found mainly in the dry savanna regions along with cereals such as millets and sorghum. Cowpea is grown primarily for human consumption of the grains, which are rich in protein, carbohydrates and contain some minerals. The development and deployment of cowpea varieties with higher nutritional value will be of immense benefit to consumers. As a first step in the enhancement of mineral content in cowpea grains, several germplasm lines (1541) of different origins and obtained from the genetic resources unit at IITA were sown in the experimental field in Minjibir, Kano State, Nigeria. The grains were analysed for protein and nine mineral contents. However, in this study, we shall report data on crude protein, Fe, Zn, Ca, Mg, K and P. The data generated from the chemical analysis were subjected to the ‘mixture of normal distributions’ clustering method, which distributed the cowpea lines into nine groups. Groups G7 and G9 contained 174 genotypes and these were characterized by high mineral concentrations. The mean nutritional content values for group G9 were 24.7% for protein, and 58.9, 41.5, 1107, 2132, 15,282 and 5664 mg/kg for Fe, Zn, Ca, Mg, K and P, respectively. On the other hand, the 363 lines making up groups G2, G3 and G6 showed low amounts of nutrients in their grains. Some of the lines in G7 and G9 would be good as parents to use in breeding programmes that aimed at developing nutrient-dense cowpea varieties.

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Evaluation of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) germplasm lines for tolerance to drought

Plant Genetic Resources ◽

10.1017/s1479262112000214 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 171-176 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Christian A. Fatokun ◽

Ousmane Boukar ◽

Satoru Muranaka

Keyword(s):

Drought Tolerance ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Grain Legume ◽

International Institute ◽

Breeding Lines ◽

Germplasm Collections ◽

Legume Crop ◽

Drought Tolerant ◽

Cowpea Varieties ◽

Sub Saharan

Cowpea is an important grain legume crop in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where, on a worldwide basis, the bulk is produced and consumed. The dry savanna area of SSA is where cowpea is mostly grown under rain-fed conditions. The crop is therefore prone to drought which may occur early, mid and/or late in the cropping season. Compared with many other crops, cowpea is drought tolerant, even though drought is still a major constraint limiting its productivity in SSA. Increasing the level of drought tolerance in existing cowpea varieties grown by farmers would enable them to obtain more and stable yield from their cowpea fields. As a first step towards enhancing drought tolerance in existing cowpea varieties, 1288 lines were selected randomly from cowpea germplasm collections maintained at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, and evaluated for their drought tolerance at Ibadan. Drought was imposed by withdrawal of irrigation from 5 weeks after sowing. On average, drought reduced the number of days to flower by 12 d, and the mean grain yield per plant was also reduced by 67.28%. A few of the cowpea lines stayed green for up to 6 weeks after irrigation was stopped, even though some of these produced no pods when the study was terminated. Further evaluation in the screenhouse of 142 selected drought-tolerant lines helped to identify six lines that could be potential parents for developing breeding lines with enhanced drought tolerance.

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New non-animal protein products for human consumption in sub-Saharan Africa (Salifa Kamwagha) 27

Promoting Non-Animal Protein Sources in Sub-Saharan Africa ◽

10.3726/978-3-653-02059-5/7 ◽

2016 ◽

Keyword(s):

Animal Protein ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Sub Saharan

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Screening of 25 cowpea genotypes for resistance to Megalurothrips sjostedti Trybom in southern Ghana

Legume Research - An International Journal ◽

10.18805/lr-477 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Patrick Bonney ◽

John Saviour Yaw Eleblu ◽

Vincent Eziah

Keyword(s):

Insect Pest ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Flower Bud ◽

Megalurothrips Sjostedti ◽

Lattice Design ◽

Cowpea Varieties ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

University Of Ghana ◽

Moderately Resistant

In sub-Saharan Africa, Megalurothrips sjostedti Trybom are the most destructive insect pest of cowpea. It causes approximately 100% reduction in cowpea yield. Synthetic insecticides are widely used in controlling this pest, however, health and environmental hazards are another challenge. This study sought to evaluate 25 cowpea genotypes from Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Togo and South-Sudan for resistance to this pest under field screening using a 5 by 5 alpha lattice design with 2 checks at University of Ghana farms. The results revealed Laduni 1B as resistant, 20 moderately resistant and 4 susceptible genotypes were also identified in this study. In the determination of correlated and non-correlated variables, ten traits were reported important to the resistance of cowpea genotypes to flower bud thrips. The genotypes with resistance could be used to introgress the resistant trait into other preferred but susceptible cowpea varieties.

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Genetic Characterization of Fungal Biodiversity in Storage Grains: Towards Enhancing Food Safety in Northern Uganda

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9020383 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 383

Author(s):

Godfrey Wokorach ◽

Sofie Landschoot ◽

Kris Audenaert ◽

Richard Echodu ◽

Geert Haesaert

Keyword(s):

Plant Pathogens ◽

Fusarium Verticillioides ◽

Toxin Production ◽

Fungal Species ◽

Control Measures ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Northern Uganda ◽

Sub Saharan

Worldwide fungal contamination leads to both quantitative and qualitative grain losses during crop growth and/or storage. A greater proportion of grains contamination with toxins often occurs in sub-Saharan Africa, where control measures are limited. We determined fungal diversity and their toxin production ability in household grains meant for human consumption to highlight the risk of mycotoxin exposure among people from northern Uganda. The study underlines the high diversity of fungi that group into 15 genera; many of which are plant pathogens with toxigenic potential. Fusarium verticillioides was the most common fungal species isolated from household grains. The study also indicates that northern Uganda is favored by a high proportion of toxigenic isolates of F. verticillioides, F. andiyazi, and F. proliferatum, which are characterized by a high fumonisins production capability. The fumonisins production ability was not dependent on the species, grain types, and haplotype group to which the isolates belong. The contamination of most household grains with fungi capable of producing a high amount of toxin shows that most people are exposed to an elevated amount of mycotoxins, which shows the frequent problems with mycotoxins that have been reported in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa.

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Ethnic heterogeneity of knowledge on termites and human consumption in southern Cameroon

Journal of Ecological Anthropology ◽

10.5038/2162-4593.22.1.1244 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sevilor KEKEUNOU ◽

Koche MOUSTAPHA ◽

Christian Landry DJUIDEU TCHOUAMOU ◽

Mercy Bih LOH ACHU ◽

Barthelemy NGAMENI ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ethnic Groups ◽

Food Resources ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Ethnic Heterogeneity ◽

Vernacular Names ◽

Southern Cameroon ◽

Level Of Knowledge ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Knowledge And Acceptance

Termites are both pests and non-conventional food resources in Sub-Saharan Africa. Many are reluctant to eat them, and the reasons for this rejection are poorly known. This study examined level of knowledge, and acceptance by members of the 10 main ethnic groups of southern Cameroon. Most respondents (86 percent) were aware of termites as food with sixteen vernacular names in the study areas. Acceptance among ethnic groups for consumption varied between 96 percent and 8 percent of people in a group. Barriers included being raised to not eat termites, not having many opportunities to eat termites, and dislike of the taste.

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Foreword - New non-animal protein products for human consumption in sub-Saharan Africa (Franz-Theo Gottwald and Isabel Boergen) 9

Promoting Non-Animal Protein Sources in Sub-Saharan Africa ◽

10.3726/978-3-653-02059-5/4 ◽

2016 ◽

Keyword(s):

Animal Protein ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Sub Saharan

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Quality Evaluation of Oil from Seeds of Wild Plant Tylosema fassoglensis in Kenya

Journal of Food Processing ◽

10.1155/2015/971871 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-4 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ojwang D. Otieno ◽

Okewo B. Awuor ◽

Wanjala G. Wafula

Keyword(s):

Physicochemical Properties ◽

Oil Content ◽

Acid Value ◽

Physicochemical Characteristics ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Wild Plant ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Survey Period ◽

Saponification Value ◽

Sub Saharan

Tylosema fassoglensis is a plant species that is native to Sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical properties of oil from T. fassoglensis in Kenya. Seeds of T. fassoglensis were collected from Mombasa, Taita Taveta, Homa Bay, and Siaya regions. Counts of T. fassoglensis in each region were recorded during the entire survey period. The highest distribution was recorded in Homa Bay followed by Siaya region. Distribution was the least in Taita Taveta and Mombasa regions. The analysis of the physicochemical characteristics of the oil was performed according to the official methods of analysis and the recommended practices of the American Oil Chemists Society. Oil content of 36.4% was obtained. The oil had refractive index 1.47 at 40°C, peroxide value 6.34 meq O2/kg, iodine value 94.06 g of I2/100 g, saponification value 145.93 mg KOH/g of oil, acid value 2.49 ± 0.56 mg KOH/g of oil, and unsaponifiable matter 5.87 g/kg. The oil had Lovibond color index of 2.0Y+28.0R. Oil content of T. fassoglensis is comparable with those of most oil crop under commercial production. The physicochemical properties of oil from T. fassoglensis are within the range recommended by FAO/WHO and hence suitable for human consumption.

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Genetic admixture patterns in Argentinian Patagonia

10.1101/586610 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

María Laura Parolin ◽

Ulises F Toscanini ◽

Irina F Velázquez ◽

Cintia Llull ◽

Gabriela L Berardi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Native American ◽

Latin American ◽

African Ancestry ◽

Geographic Origin ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

European Ancestry ◽

Genetic Admixture ◽

The North ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Different Origins

AbstractAs for other Latin American populations, Argentinians are the result of the admixture amongst different continental groups, mainly from America and Europe, and to a lesser extent from Sub-Saharan Africa. However, it is known that the admixture processes did not occur homogeneously throughout the country. Therefore, considering the importance for anthropological, medical and forensic researches, this study aimed to investigate the population genetic structure of the Argentinian Patagonia, through the analysis of 46 ancestry informative markers, in 433 individuals from five different localities. Overall, in the Patagonian sample, the average individual ancestry was estimated as 35.8% Native American (95% CI: 32.2-39.4%), 62.1% European (58.5-65.7%) and 2.1% African (1.7-2.4%). Comparing the five localities studied, statistically significant differences were observed for the Native American and European contributions, but not for the African ancestry. The admixture results combined with the genealogical information revealed intra-regional variations that are consistent with the different geographic origin of the participants and their ancestors. As expected, a high European ancestry was observed for donors with four grandparents born in Europe (96.8%) or in the Central region of Argentina (85%). In contrast, the Native American ancestry increased when the four grandparents were born in the North (71%) or in the South (61.9%) regions of the country, or even in Chile (60.5%). In summary, our results showed that differences on continental ancestry contribution have different origins in each region in Patagonia, and even in each locality, highlighting the importance of knowing the origin of the participants and their ancestors for the correct interpretation and contextualization of the genetic information.

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Processed Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) Food Products in Malawi: From Poor Men’s to Premium-Priced Specialty Food?

Forests ◽

10.3390/f11060698 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 698 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Dietrich Darr ◽

Chifundo Chopi-Msadala ◽

Collins Duke Namakhwa ◽

Kathrin Meinhold ◽

Chimuleke Munthali

Keyword(s):

Rural Livelihoods ◽

Forest Products ◽

Food Products ◽

Health Claims ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Product Attributes ◽

Adansonia Digitata ◽

Differentiation Potential ◽

Sub Saharan

The baobab tree (Adansonia digitata L.) is an important source of non-timber forest products in sub-Saharan Africa. Its fruits contain high amounts of vitamin C, calcium, and dietary fibre. In addition, other parts of the tree are traditionally used for human consumption, particularly during lean seasons. In line with the increasing demand for natural, healthy, and nutritious food products, the baobab has great potential to contribute to human nutrition and rural livelihoods. In Malawi, where demand for baobab has substantially increased within the last decade, baobab fruits are being processed into a variety of food and non-food products, such as fruit juice, ice-lollies, sweets, and cosmetics. Yet, information on the sociodemographic background and quality preferences of baobab consumers is scanty. The current study, therefore, aimed to (1) map the diversity of baobab products available in Malawi; (2) determine consumer segments and their preferences for the most common baobab food products; and (3) examine the contribution of major attributes of processed baobab food products on their price. We employed a mixed-methods approach including the analysis of 132 baobab products and a survey of 141 consumers in formal and informal retail outlets, adopting multistage and purposive sampling. Qualitative and quantitative data were analysed using cluster analysis, cross tabulation, and hedonic regression. Results pointed to two distinct consumer segments for baobab food products, largely following the formal–informal product divide currently existing in Malawi. Both segments clearly differed with regard to preferred product attributes. We also showed that extrinsic product attributes such as packaging quality, labelling, conformity with food standards, or health claims provided distinct differentiation potential for baobab food manufacturers. In addition to providing empirical evidence for the transition of baobab food products into higher-value market segments, our results can help food processing enterprises to improve the composition and marketing of their baobab products.

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