scholarly journals Affordable Processing of Edible Orthopterans Provides a Highly Nutritive Source of Food Ingredients

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 144
Author(s):  
Forkwa Tengweh Fombong ◽  
John Kinyuru ◽  
Jeremiah Ng’ang’a ◽  
Monica Ayieko ◽  
Chrysantus Mbi Tanga ◽  
...  

Edible orthopterans (grasshoppers, crickets, and locusts) are major delicacies, especially across sub-Saharan Africa. Their promotion as food ingredients is increasingly gaining momentum. This study evaluates the nutritional profiles of three widely consumed orthopterans: Gryllus bimaculatus, Locusta migratoria, and Schistocerca gregaria after blanching and oven-drying. All three species had high protein (65.3, 54.2, and 61.4% on a dry matter (DM) basis for G. bimaculatus, L. migratoria, and S. gregaria, respectively) and fat contents. Oleic (22.9–40.8%) and palmitic (26.1–43.0%) were the two most abundant fatty acids. All essential amino acids (in mg/100 g protein) were present, with glutamic acid (120–131), alanine (90.2–123), and leucine (82.3–84.6) being the most abundant. The minerals (in mg/100 g dry matter) potassium (796–1309) and phosphorus (697–968) were moderately high, and iron (4.60–7.31), zinc (12.7–24.9), manganese (0.40–7.15), and copper (1.20–4.86) were also observed in the samples. Vitamin B12 contents were high (0.22–1.35 µg/100 g dry matter). Our findings demonstrate that the excellent nutritional profile of the three processed insects could serve as promising alternative ingredients for improving food and nutritional security.

2011 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neo C. Mokgolodi ◽  
Moffat P. Setshogo ◽  
Ling-ling Shi ◽  
Yu-jun Liu ◽  
Chao Ma

Author(s):  
Wilfred Damndja Ngaha ◽  
Richard Aba Ejoh ◽  
Edith Nig Fombang ◽  
William Dzusuo Tedom

Toddlers malnutrition is a health problem in developing countries like those found in Sub-Saharan Africa. Owing to prevalence of poverty, families are generally not able to afford the commercial complementary foods available in the market stalls, since such complementary foods are imported and made from non-local foodstuffs. In order to overcome these issues, FAO/WHO recommends the use of local foodstuffs in formulation of complementary foods and defines the virtues that the complementary foods should possess. In this light, researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa have proposed several formulations of complementary foods. The present work reviews these research findings on complementary foods available in the Sub-Saharan Africa utilizing the local food materials, the treatment that is required to be meted to such food ingredients, nutritional quality of formulated complementary foods and ultimately their biological effects. The limitations of the research work, if any, has been highlighted and the means to take such research forward that would be helpful in the production and commercialization of cost-effective complementary foods possessing requisite nutritional quality and biological effects as per dietary norms laid down by competent authorities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-82
Author(s):  
C.K. Koffi ◽  
A. Lourme-Ruiz ◽  
H. Djoudi ◽  
E. Bouquet ◽  
S. Dury ◽  
...  

Wild tree resources are known to play an important role in local stakeholders' livelihoods particularly in the food and nutrition security of people living in semi-arid sub-Saharan Africa. Based on a comprehensive review of the literature, this article examines the relative importance of the contributions of tree resources to food and nutrition security for rural households, while considering alternative causal pathways. The main conclusions of the review are that most studies provide useful evidence on specific contributions of tree products to food and nutritional security, and for whom. However, detailed data on the actual contribution of tree products are still lacking. In addition, we argue that the concept of access as a pillar of food security is not sophisticated enough to understand the landscape dynamics and the socio-economic relations at the nexus of food security and rights of access. Links are needed to better understand the underlying processes in the definition of each stakeholder's rights of access to tree resources in a context of rapidly changing landscapes, and how income generated by tree resources contributes to food and nutrition security. An approach to food security based on rights of access would advance our understanding of their use and tackle the root causes of food deficiency based on different social groups. In light of current patterns of access to tree food for different stakeholders, including women and children, an intersectional approach that accounts for age, gender, ethnicity and wealth would benefit food security research by a more targeted and discerning approach to existing rights of access and to the roles of different community members.


Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1249
Author(s):  
Andekelile Mwamahonje ◽  
John Saviour Yaw Eleblu ◽  
Kwadwo Ofori ◽  
Santosh Deshpande ◽  
Tileye Feyissa ◽  
...  

Sorghum is an important staple food crop in drought prone areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, which is characterized by erratic rainfall with poor distribution. Sorghum is a drought-tolerant crop by nature with reasonable yield compared to other cereal crops, but such abiotic stress adversely affects the productivity. Some sorghum varieties maintain green functional leaves under post-anthesis drought stress referred to as stay-green, which makes it an important crop for food and nutritional security. Notwithstanding, it is difficult to maintain consistency of tolerance over time due to climate change, which is caused by human activities. Drought in sorghum is addressed by several approaches, for instance, breeding drought-tolerant sorghum using conventional and molecular technologies. The challenge with conventional methods is that they depend on phenotyping stay-green, which is complex in sorghum, as it is constituted by multiple genes and environmental effects. Marker assisted selection, which involves the use of DNA molecular markers to map QTL associated with stay-green, has been useful to supplement stay-green improvement in sorghum. It involves QTL mapping associated with the stay-green trait for introgression into the senescent sorghum varieties through marker-assisted backcrossing by comparing with phenotypic field data. Therefore, this review discusses mechanisms of drought tolerance in sorghum focusing on physiological, morphological, and biochemical traits. In addition, the review discusses the application of marker-assisted selection techniques, including marker-assisted backcrossing, QTL mapping, and QTL pyramiding for addressing post-flowering drought in sorghum.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Lonardi ◽  
María Muñoz-Amatriaín ◽  
Qihua Liang ◽  
Shengqiang Shu ◽  
Steve I. Wanamaker ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTCowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) is a major crop for worldwide food and nutritional security, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, that is resilient to hot and drought-prone environments. A high-quality assembly of the single-haplotype inbred genome of cowpea IT97K-499-35 was developed by exploiting the synergies between single molecule real-time sequencing, optical and genetic mapping, and a novel assembly reconciliation algorithm. A total of 519 Mb is included in the assembled sequences. Nearly half of the assembled sequence is composed of repetitive elements, which are enriched within recombination-poor pericentromeric regions. A comparative analysis of these elements suggests that genome size differences between Vigna species are mainly attributable to changes in the amount of Gypsy retrotransposons. Conversely, genes are more abundant in more distal, high-recombination regions of the chromosomes; there appears to be more duplication of genes within the NBS-LRR and the SAUR-like auxin superfamilies compared to other warm-season legumes that have been sequenced. A surprising outcome of this study is the identification of a chromosomal inversion of 4.2 Mb among landraces and cultivars, which includes a gene that has been associated in other plants with interactions with the parasitic weed Striga gesnerioides. The genome sequence also facilitated the identification of a putative syntelog for multiple organ gigantism in legumes. A new numbering system has been adopted for cowpea chromosomes based on synteny with common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris).


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inken Hoeck ◽  
Elmar Steurer

Although it is now well known that access to electrification is a crucial prerequisite for ensuring sustainable development, rural households in sub-Saharan Africa in particular remain unelectrified. It is often not economically viable to connect these remote communities to the main grid. Therefore, mini-grid systems represent a promising alternative to ensure electrification even at long distances from the grid, backed by the fact that these systems are becoming cheaper with the advancement of integrated technologies. However, such systems are fraught with risk if various potential pitfalls are not considered upfront. This discourages investors and thus prevents the electrification rate to increase. The following chapter therefore aims to highlight the risk landscape for the deployment of mini-grid systems in order to assist investors in sustainably integrating mini-grid systems. The approach is illustrated using Namibia’s largest mini-grid in Tsumkwe as an example. Through the application of the SRMP, it is revealed that the mini-grid is exposed to a moderate level of risk, mainly due to a lack of education and a replacement process.


2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olumide Samuel Daramola ◽  
Olusegun Raphael Adeyemi ◽  
Joseph Aremu Adigun ◽  
Christopher Olu Adejuyigbe

Abstract Weed infestation is among the primary reasons for low yields of soybean in Nigeria and other parts of Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). Field trials were therefore carried out in 2016 and 2017 cropping seasons to evaluate the effect of row spacing and weed management methods on growth and yield of soybean. The use of 50 cm row spacing resulted in significant (P < 0.05) reduction in weed cover score, weed density and weed dry matter with subsequent increase in soybean growth and grain yield compared to 75 and 100 cm row spacings in both years. In addition, early weed control with probaben at 2.0 kg a.i (active ingredient) ha1 followed by (fb) supplementary hoe weeding (shw) at 6 weeks after sowing (WAS) suppressed weeds and increased soybean growth, which carried through to final dry matter and yield. Pre-emergence application of Probaben fb shw at 6 WAS gave the best weed control and resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) higher soybean grain yield compared to two and three hoe weedings or sole application of probaben under 50 and 75 cm inter-row spacing. However, three hoe weedings gave the best weed control and grain yield under 100 cm inter-row spacing. These results suggest that narrow row spacing of 50 cm and weed control by pre-emergence application of probaben fb shw will improve the productivity of soybean. Wide row spacing, however, required longer weed-free period and consequently multiple hoe weeding for optimum soybean yield.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Nkechi P. Akah ◽  
Catherine N. Kunyanga ◽  
Michael W. Okoth ◽  
Lucy K. Njue

Malnutrition, hunger, and poverty are still major challenges globally especially in Sub-Saharan Africa affecting most countries like Nigeria. Legumes play key roles in food and nutritional security, health, and income generation. This review highlights status of pulse production and consumption in Nigeria and need for improvement. The study involved in-depth desk review. Data sources include FAO Statistics and other publication sources. Cowpea is Nigeria&rsquo;s major pulse accounting for 95.45% area and 97.55% of the pulse production in 2016-18. Nigeria is the leading global cowpea producer with 39% production in 2016-18. However, the cowpea area has been declining, with 30% loss at 1.71% yearly between 2006-08 and 2016-18. The production appreciated by 40% viewed from 1996-98 due to increase in yield; but, overall, Nigeria&rsquo;s cowpea production is marked with fluctuations/stagnation. It, thus, imports to meet domestic demand. In contrast, cowpea area, yield and production received steady and remarkable positive growth in places like Niger (73% at 2.8%, 213% at 5.9%, and 428% at 8.7% annually, respectively). Per capita availability of pulses in Nigeria is over 10 times less than cereals&rsquo; and roots/tubers&rsquo;; hence, pulses contribute poorly to daily calorie and protein intakes. They are mainly utilized as cooked bean and steamed/fried pastes. Low pulse consumption is seriously contributing to nutritional problems in developing countries like Nigeria. Diverse utilization, optimizing nutritional quality of the traditional dishes, and improving safety and acceptability of especially those sold as street food can enhance their consumption, production and contribution to nutritional security.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (6) ◽  
pp. 533-537
Author(s):  
Lorenz von Seidlein ◽  
Borimas Hanboonkunupakarn ◽  
Podjanee Jittmala ◽  
Sasithon Pukrittayakamee

RTS,S/AS01 is the most advanced vaccine to prevent malaria. It is safe and moderately effective. A large pivotal phase III trial in over 15 000 young children in sub-Saharan Africa completed in 2014 showed that the vaccine could protect around one-third of children (aged 5–17 months) and one-fourth of infants (aged 6–12 weeks) from uncomplicated falciparum malaria. The European Medicines Agency approved licensing and programmatic roll-out of the RTSS vaccine in malaria endemic countries in sub-Saharan Africa. WHO is planning further studies in a large Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme, in more than 400 000 young African children. With the changing malaria epidemiology in Africa resulting in older children at risk, alternative modes of employment are under evaluation, for example the use of RTS,S/AS01 in older children as part of seasonal malaria prophylaxis. Another strategy is combining mass drug administrations with mass vaccine campaigns for all age groups in regional malaria elimination campaigns. A phase II trial is ongoing to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the RTSS in combination with antimalarial drugs in Thailand. Such novel approaches aim to extract the maximum benefit from the well-documented, short-lasting protective efficacy of RTS,S/AS01.


1993 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 555-556
Author(s):  
Lado Ruzicka

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document