scholarly journals Application of thermostable a-Amylase from Thermomyces lanuginosus ATCC 58157 to nutritionally enhance starch based food

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Thiriloshani Padayachee
Keyword(s):  
Protein Energy Malnutrition ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
World Health ◽  
Thermomyces Lanuginosus ◽  
Novel Technologies ◽  
Protein Energy ◽  
Indispensable Amino Acids ◽  
Maize Meal ◽  
Sub Saharan

In Sub-Saharan Africa there is an urgent need to sustain and improve the quality of its food resources. Poverty eradication features high on the agenda of a number of world health organisations, while the number of underweight children in Africa continues to increase (Pellet, 1996). Providing nutritionally enhanced foods to the poor will help towards achieving this objective. Protein-energy malnutrition has been identified as one of the most important problems facing Africa, with maize as the staple diet (Nkama et al., 1995). However, a combination of several factors limits availability and the nutritional quality of maize. During starvation, energy and protein intakes decrease by 20-30%, with most of the children in Africa having an average protein intake of only 20 g per day (Igbedioh, 1996). Energy availability also affects protein utilization because of interrelationships of protein and energy metabolism (Elwyn, 1993). The diets of inhabitants in developing regions depend mainly on cereals (maize) for both protein and dietary energy which lacks indispensable amino acids, minerals, vitamins and carbohydrates. In light of these growing concerns an attempt was made to devise a scientific strategy to combat the nutritional shortfalls of maize meal. A multidisciplinary and concerted approach was followed within this project aimed at designing an improved thermostable amylase and applying the enzyme to nutritionally enhance maize meal. It was envisaged that the manipulation of maize meal, by the application of enzyme technology will improve the nutritional status of this staple food. The consequences is that an alternate solution for the eradication of an ailing, poverty stricken and malnourished African population is achievable. It is possible that the boundaries defining the limits of life will extend to even greater extremes through the application of novel technologies.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Nutritional and Antinutritional Properties of African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst ex. A. Rich.) Harms.) Seeds

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Taofeek T. Adegboyega ◽  
Michael T. Abberton ◽  
AbdelAziz H. AbdelGadir ◽  
Mahamadi Dianda ◽  
Busie Maziya-Dixon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Protein Energy Malnutrition ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
International Institute ◽  
African Yam Bean ◽  
Protein Energy ◽  
Small Holder Farmers ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Sphenostylis Stenocarpa

African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst ex. A. Rich.) Harms) is an annual legume with the capacity to produce bean seeds in a pod and produce tubers with varying seed patterns and colors. It is suggested to have the potential to significantly boost food security in sub-Saharan Africa due to its considerable nutritional qualities but still yet underutilized. Many farmers show limited interest in its production owing to limited knowledge of its nutritional profile, income generation capacity for small-holder farmers’, processing, and other related utilization concerns. This study evaluated the proximate and antinutrient composition of processed and unprocessed seeds of African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst ex. A. Rich.) Harms.). Seeds were harvested from the experimental research field consisting of 50 accessions at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria. They were divided into two portions; the first was processed by oven drying at 60°C for 24 hours and the second was left raw. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the levels of proximate and antinutrient in the forms in which the samples were analyzed. TSs104 had the highest protein content of 25.08%, while the lowest was TSs68 (20.50%). However, in the unprocessed seed, protein content ranged between 24.93% (TSs38) and 19.13% (TSs11). Both processed and unprocessed seeds had high carbohydrate contents. In processed seeds, TSs9 (62.93%) had the highest percentage and TSs1 (29.64%) recorded the lowest. In unprocessed seed, the percentage ranged between 67.36% (TSs4) and 54.23% (TSs38). The observed variation may suggest possible suitability of seed for various end-use products and targeted breeding programs for crop improvements. In sub-Saharan Africa, this lesser-known legume could be adapted as a promising food crop in combating protein-energy malnutrition.

scholarly journals Sorghum–Insect Composites for Healthier Cookies: Nutritional, Functional, and Technological Evaluation

Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1427
Author(s):  
Temitope D. Awobusuyi ◽  
Muthulisi Siwela ◽  
Kirthee Pillay
Keyword(s):  
Wheat Flour ◽  
Protein Energy Malnutrition ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Nutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Substitution Level ◽  
Protein Energy ◽  
Nutritional Qualities ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Spread Factor

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is a major health concern in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Relying on unexploited and regionally available rich sources of proteins such as insects and sorghum might contribute towards addressing PEM among at-risk populations. Insects are high in nutrients, especially protein, and are abundant in SSA. Sorghum is adapted to the tropical areas of SSA and as such it is an appropriate source of energy compared with temperate cereals like wheat. It is necessary to assess whether cookies fortified with sorghum and termite would be suitable for use in addressing PEM in SSA. Whole grain sorghum meal and termite meal were mixed at a 3:1 ratio (w/w sorghum:termite) to form a sorghum–termite meal blend. Composite cookies were prepared where the sorghum–termite blend partially substituted wheat flour at 20%, 40%, and 60% (sorghum–termite blend:wheat flour (w/w). The functional and nutritional qualities of the cookies were assessed. Compared with the control (100% wheat flour), the cookies fortified with sorghum and termite had about double the quantity of protein, minerals, and amino acids. However, with increased substitution level of the sorghum–termite blend, the spread factor of the cookies decreased. There is a potential to incorporate sorghum and termite in cookies for increased intake of several nutrients by communities that are vulnerable to nutrient deficiencies, especially PEM.

Protein Energy Malnutrition in Children

2021 ◽  
pp. 248-257
Author(s):  
Foluke Onaleye
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Electronic Health Records ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Health Information Technology ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Protein Energy Malnutrition ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Current Management ◽  
Protein Energy ◽  
Sub Saharan

The current management to prevent Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) is examined and the use of technological tools such as Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems and mobile solutions are employed to prevent the development of PEM and its complications. Implementation of technological solutions in healthcare is a critical factor in achieving better health outcomes as documented in some parts of the world. Sub-Saharan Africa is behind on the adoption of electronic health records and other health information technology solutions due to several challenges such as lack of funding and infrastructure required to implement its use. Recent studies show that Sub-Saharan Africa is slowly gravitating towards adoption of health information technology particularly EHR systems and mobile solutions because of the need to find solutions to its healthcare crisis. Development of a PEM prevention system using these tools to enhance the current management will improve patient health outcomes and decrease the mortality rate of PEM.

scholarly journals Ageing, urban marginality, and health in Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Dominic A. Alaazi ◽  
Devidas Menon ◽  
Tania Stafinski ◽  
Gian Jhangri ◽  
Joshua Evans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Life Assessment ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
World Health ◽  
Slum Dwellers ◽  
Sub Saharan

The world’s population is rapidly ageing. Global estimates for the next three decades indicate a two-fold increase in the population of older adults aged ≥60 years. Nearly 80% of this growth will occur in low and middle-income countries in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where population health is already under threat from poverty, degraded environments, and deficient healthcare systems. Although the world’s poorest region, sub-Saharan Africa, ironically, will witness the fastest growth in older populations, rising by 64% over the next 15 years. Indications are that the majority of this population will live in resource-poor settings, characterized by deficient housing and neighbourhood conditions. Yet, very little research has systematically examined the health and wellbeing of older adults in such settings. Drawing on the ecological theory of ageing, the present study explores the living conditions and quality of life of elderly slum dwellers in Ghana, a sub-Saharan African country with a growing population of older adults. Data collection was undertaken in two phases in two environmentally contrasting neighbourhoods in Accra, Ghana. In Phase 1, we carried out a cross-sectional survey of older adults in a slum community (n = 302) and a non-slum neighbourhood (n = 301), using the World Health Organization quality of life assessment tool (WHOQoL-BREF). The survey data were complemented in Phase 2 with qualitative interviews involving a sample of community dwelling older adults (N = 30), health service providers (N = 5), community leaders (N = 2), and policymakers (N = 5). Preliminary analysis of the survey data revealed statistically significant differences in the social and environment domains of quality of life, while the qualitative data identified multiple health barriers and facilitators in the two neighbourhoods. Insights from the research are expected to inform health and social interventions for older slum dwellers in Ghana.

scholarly journals Hydrothermally Treated Soybeans Can Enrich Maize Stiff Porridge (Africa’s Main Staple) without Negating Sensory Acceptability

Foods ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Kalumbi ◽  
Limbikani Matumba ◽  
Beatrice Mtimuni ◽  
Agnes Mwangwela ◽  
Aggrey P. Gama
Keyword(s):  
Protein Energy Malnutrition ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Rural Setting ◽  
Consumer Acceptability ◽  
Protein Energy ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
32 Factorial Design ◽  
Hedonic Scale

Maize-based stiff porridge, a starchy protein-deficient staple food, dominates among the populations in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Unfortunately, this is often consumed along with leafy vegetables since the majority of the population in this region lack resources for the purchase of high protein animal source foods, a situation that exacerbates protein-energy malnutrition. Considering this, the current study evaluated the effect of enriching maize-based stiff porridge with flour made from hydrothermally treated soybeans on consumer acceptability. A total of nine experimental flours were prepared from maize and maize-soybean mixtures following a 32 factorial design involving two factors, namely maize flour type (whole maize, non-soaked dehulled maize, and soaked dehulled maize) and soybean flour proportion (0%, 20%, and 30%). A total of 125 adult consumers from a rural setting in Malawi evaluated maize-based stiff porridges made thereof using a 7-point hedonic scale. Subsequently, the participants were asked to guess an ingredient that was added to some of the test samples. The 10% and 20% soybean-enriched maize-based stiff porridges scored 5/7 and above, with some being statistically similar to plain maize-based stiff porridges. No participant recognized that soybeans were incorporated into the maize-based stiff porridges. The study has clearly demonstrated the potential of enriching maize-based stiff porridge with hydrothermally treated soybeans without compromising consumer acceptability. This innovation could significantly contribute towards reducing the burden of energy-protein under-nutrition in SSA.

scholarly journals Quality of care in the free maternal healthcare era in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review of providers’ and managers’ perceptions

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Ansu-Mensah ◽  
Frederick Inkum Danquah ◽  
Vitalis Bawontuo ◽  
Peter Ansu-Mensah ◽  
Tahiru Mohammed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Healthcare Financing ◽  
Maternal Healthcare ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Free maternal healthcare financing schemes play an essential role in the quality of services rendered to clients during antenatal care in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, healthcare managers’ and providers’ perceptions of the healthcare financing scheme may influence the quality of care. This scoping review mapped evidence on managers’ and providers’ perspectives of free maternal healthcare and the quality of care in SSA. Methods We used Askey and O’Malley’s framework as a guide to conduct this review. To address the research question, we searched PubMed, CINAHL through EBSCOhost, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google Scholar with no date limitation to May 2019 using keywords, Boolean terms, and Medical Subject Heading terms to retrieve relevant articles. Both abstract and full articles screening were conducted independently by two reviewers using the inclusion and exclusion criteria as a guide. All significant data were extracted, organized into themes, and a summary of the findings reported narratively. Results In all, 15 out of 390 articles met the inclusion criteria. These 15 studies were conducted in nine countries. That is, Ghana (4), Kenya (3), and Nigeria (2), Burkina Faso (1), Burundi (1), Niger (1), Sierra Leone (1), Tanzania (1), and Uganda (1). Of the 15 included studies, 14 reported poor quality of maternal healthcare from managers’ and providers’ perspectives. Factors contributing to the perception of poor maternal healthcare included: late reimbursement of funds, heavy workload of providers, lack of essential drugs and stock-out of medical supplies, lack of policy definition, out-of-pocket payment, and inequitable distribution of staff. Conclusion This study established evidence of existing literature on the quality of care based on healthcare providers’ and managers’ perspectives though very limited. This study indicates healthcare providers and managers perceive the quality of maternal healthcare under the free financing policy as poor. Nonetheless, the free maternal care policy is very much needed towards achieving universal health, and all efforts to sustain and improve the quality of care under it must be encouraged. Therefore, more research is needed to better understand the impact of their perceived poor quality of care on maternal health outcomes.

Quality of Antenatal, Labour and Delivery Services in Selected Districts in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Clara Opha Haruzivishe
Keyword(s):  
Perinatal Care ◽  
Neonatal Morbidity ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
World Health ◽  
Performance Standard ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Services

Background: High Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Ratios persist in Sub-Saharan Africa despite increasing perinatal care coverage. This suggests that coverage alone is not adequate to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Quality of care should be the emphasis of maternal and child care services. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional multicentre study was conducted in selected health facilities in Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe using purposive sampling. A World Health Organization-WHO 2016 Quality of Maternal and New-born assessment Framework and the WHO (2015) Service Availability and Readiness Assessment tool were used for data collection. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) version 24.0. Results: Less than 43% of the health facilities satisfied at least three of the five Performance Standards of availability and adequacy of Antenatal infrastructure and supplies. Regarding Antenatal processes/care, an observation was the most common performance standard satisfied by 70.6% of all health facilities assessed while less than 30% fulfilled all other standards. Only 57.1% of the health facilities satisfied 5 of the 11 standards for labour and delivery infrastructure, while only 55.6% of the Health facilities satisfied only two of the 13 standards of Labour and delivery care. Conclusion: To achieve a significant and sustainable reduction in maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, there is a need for investment and improvement in maternity care services infrastructure and processes as opposed to focusing on mere attendance of Antenatal, and deliveries by trained birth attendants.

scholarly journals Aging, Health, and Quality of Life for Older People Living With HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review and Proposed Conceptual Framework

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J. Siedner
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact

Objective: The number of people living with HIV (PLWH) over 50 years old in sub-Saharan Africa is predicted to triple in the coming decades, to 6-10 million. Yet, there is a paucity of data on the determinants of health and quality of life for older PLWH in the region. Methods: A review was undertaken to describe the impact of HIV infection on aging for PLWH in sub-Saharan Africa. Results: We (a) summarize the pathophysiology and epidemiology of aging with HIV in resource-rich settings, and (b) describe how these relationships might differ in sub-Saharan Africa, (c) propose a conceptual framework to describe determinants of quality of life for older PLWH, and (d) suggest priority research areas needed to ensure long-term gains in quality of life for PLWH in the region. Conclusions: Differences in traditional, lifestyle, and envirnomental risk factors, as well as unique features of HIV epidemiology and care delivery appear to substantially alter the contribution of HIV to aging in sub-Saharan Africa. Meanwhile, unique preferences and conceptualizations of quality of life will require novel measurement and intervention tools. An expanded research and public health infrastructure is needed to ensure that gains made in HIV prevention and treamtent are translated into long-term benefits in this region.

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