A Review on the Cooking Attributes of African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa)

African yam bean, an underutilized legume usually cultivated for its edible tubers and seeds, is known for its nutrition-rich qualities; however, the crop’s level of consumption is low. The underutilization of the crop could be attributed to several constraints, including long cooking hours of up to 24 hours. Cooking time is an important food trait; it affects consumers’ choices, nutrients content, and anti-nutrient conditions. Additionally, foods requiring long cooking hours are non-economical in terms of energy usage and preparation time. The prolonged cooking time associated with AYB places enormous limitations on the invaluable food security potentials of the crop. Therefore, the availability of AYB grains with a short cooking time could lift the crop from its present underused status. To efficiently develop AYB grains with reduced cooking time, information on the crop’s cooking variables is a prerequisite. This review presents available information on variations in cooking time, cooking methods, and processing steps used in improving cooking time and nutrient qualities in AYB. Likewise, the review brings to knowledge standard procedures that could be explored in evaluating AYB’s cooking time. This document also emphasizes the molecular perspectives that could pilot the development of AYB cultivars with reduced cooking time.

Predictive genotype-phenotype relations using genetic diversity in African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst. ex. A. Rich) Harms)

Background African Yam Bean (AYB) is an understudied and underutilized tuberous legume of tropical West and Central African origin. In these geographical regions, both seeds and tubers of AYB are important components of people’s diets and a potential target as a nutritional security crop. The understanding of the genetic diversity among AYB accessions is thus an important component for both conservation and potential breeding programs. Results In this study, 93 AYB accessions were obtained from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) genebank and genotyped using 3722 SNP markers based on Restriction site-Associated DNA sequencing (RAD-Seq). Genetic data was analysed using multiple clustering methods for better understanding the distribution of genetic diversity across the population. Substantial genetic variability was observed in the present set of AYB accessions and different methodologies demonstrated that these accessions are divided into three to four main groups. The accessions were also analysed for important agronomic traits and successfully associated with their genetic clusters where great majority of accessions shared a similar phenotype. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study on predicting genotypic-phenotypic diversity relationship analysis in AYB. From a breeding perspective, we were able to identify specific diverse groups with precise phenotype such as seed or both seed and tuber yield purpose accessions. These results provide novel and important insights to support the utilization of this germplasm in AYB breeding programs.

Pasting Properties of Composite Flour Made from Sorghum, Millet and African Yam Bean

The aim of this research was to produce acceptable ‘fufu’ from a mixture of sorghum, millet, and African yam bean flours that will have a moderate carbohydrate and protein content with most optimized texture. The functional and sensory properties of flour blends produced from Sorghum, Millet and African yam bean was studied. Sorghum, Millet and African yam bean were processed into flour and mixed at different ratios to obtain composite flours. The flour formulations obtained were analyzed for water absorption capacity, bulk density, least gelation concentration , and viscosity .The water absorption capacity ranged from 1.00 to 3.00, the bulk density ranged from 0.56 to 0.82;the least gelation concentration ranged from 5.77 to 6.87,while the viscosity ranged from 0.956 to 9.30.Also proximate composition of the individual flours before formulation was analyzed, it ranged from 6.13 to 8.46 moisture, 2.00 to 4.67 ash, 0.17 to 8.00 fiber,5.47 to 8.61 fat, 7.57 to 21.84 protein, 58.34 to 69.27 carbohydrate.The sensory values ranged from 5.60 to 6.45 for taste; 4.25 to 6.85 for colour; 5.15 to 6.80 for texture; 3.85 to 5.70 for aroma; 5.45 to 6.45 acceptability. Sample 10 (with the ratio of 40:70:20) had the highest rating for general acceptability. It was observed that sample 1(with the ratio of 60:50:60) had the lowest rating in taste and aroma. The mixture components that could produce optimum texture was determined through optimization plot. This work has demonstrated that acceptable ‘fufu’ with moderate protein and carbohydrate could be successfully produced using composite flours of sorghum, millet and African yam bean.

Quality evaluation of flour and biscuits produced from wheat and African Yam Bean Tempeh Flours

Biscuits are foodstuffs that are consumed all over the world as snacks on wide range developing countries where protein and caloric malnutrition are prevalent. There is therefore need to feed on functional foods with improved formulations and substantial health benefits by world nutrition bodies due to different health problems related to food consumption. This study was carried out to evaluate the proximate and functional properties of the flour as well as evaluate the biscuit samples for physical properties, anti-nutrient content, minerals composition and anti-oxidant properties of biscuits produced from wheat flour fortified with African yam bean tempeh flour. The physical parameters varied from 3.12 – 4.22mm, 1.30 –2.81, 4.59 – 6.89g, 1.5 – 2.4mm and 1.25 – 3.65N for diameter, spread ratio, weight, height, and break strength. The proximate composition of the flour varied from 0.05 – 3.46%, 12.6 – 28.74%, 0.84 – 3.18%, 1.37 – 3.76%, 58.64 – 84.74% and 2.22 – 11.4% for ash, protein, crude fiber, crude lipid, carbohydrate and moisture of the flour, respectively. The functional properties ranged from 14.66 – 20.2%, 0.70 – 0.78 (g/ml), 0.71 – 10.57%, 18.08 – 41.03% and 0.71 – 0.74% for water absorption capacity, bulk density, oil absorption capacity, foam capacity and emulsion capacity, respectively. The anti-nutritional properties ranged from 0.067%, – 0.437mg/100g, 0.013 – 0.067%, 0.112 – 0.146%, 0.015 – 0.038%, 0.168 – 0.401, 0.040 – 0.401%, 0.017 – 0.040% for tannin, phytate, saponin, oxalate, alkaloid, phenol and flavonoids, respectively. The anti-oxidant properties were in the range of 0.081 – 0.465%, 0.026 – 0.047%, 0.035 – 0041 mg/100g for scavenging activity, reducing power assay and Beta carotene, respectively. The mineral contents - iron, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus ranged from 4.18 – 13.06, 2.70 – 32.17, 61.04 – 201.42 and 3.76 – 30.42%, respectively. These results suggest that the fortification of wheat flour with Africa yam bean flour can improve the nutritional quality of biscuits.

Chemical and Functional Properties of Blends Made from Unripe Plantain (Musa Paradisiaca) and African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis Stenocarpa) Flours for Stiff Dough (Àmàlà) Preparation

Research efforts in developing countries have focused on the improvement of protein quality of food products due to mass malnutrition. The inclusion of unripe plantain into African yam bean flours for the preparation of stiff dough (Amala) was studied. The ratios of unripe plantain into African yam bean are 100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50. Chemical and functional properties of composite flour as well as overall acceptability of the product were evaluated. The result of moisture content is within safe limit to ensure shelf stability. Crude protein (6.87-12.98) and ash (2.43-6.57%) increases with increasing proportion of African yam bean into unripe plantain flours, while carbohydrate (66.27-56.77) and crude fibre (1.46-1.11%) decreases. The bulk density ranged from (0.92-3.34 g/ mL), water absorption capacity (1.07-1.60%), least gelation capacity (4.10-14.23%), and swelling power 1.49-1.77 g/g at 50 oC, 1.54-1.88 at 60 oC, 2.63-2.89 at 70 oC and 4.42-6.60 g/g at 80 oC, respectively. The solubility index ranged from 1.49-1.77 at 50 oC, 1.54-1.88 at 60 oC, 2.63-2.89 at 70oC and 4.42-6.60 g/g at 80 oC. The sensory evaluation showed no significant difference in taste, colour, texture/mouth feel and aroma while sample with 30% African yam bean flour has the highest value in overall acceptability. Enrichment of unripe plantain with African yam bean flours significantly increases its nutritional value which has the potential to combat protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

INTRODUCTION TO AFRICA YAM BEAN (SPHENOSTYLIS STENOCARPA (HOCHST. EX A. RICH.) HARMS)

Food security and malnutrition are great concerns in developing and under-developed nations. Climate change, political unrest, and all sorts of crises within these nations and their neighboring nations have contributed greatly to the issue of food insecurity, malnutrition, and hunger. Many food plants that have the potential to combat the challenges of food insecurities and malnutrition in the face of climate change have been neglected, under-utilized and some of the crops are on their way to extinction. African yam bean (AYB) is one of the numerous crops with great potential in overcoming the problems associated with food and nutritional insecurities. AYB under-utilization, poor acceptance, and neglect by the farmers and consumers may be a result of poor awareness about its nutritional and health benefits, poor agronomy practices adopted by the farmers, and other production limiting factors such as low yield and long maturity period. Information that can guide the farmers and consumers for the commercial production and processing of AYB is not readily available. This review aims to summarize and made available information on AYB for the farmers and the consumers for it to be commercialized and for the researchers to see reasons and areas to make improvements on the crop.

Relationship between Salt (NaCl) Stress and Yield Components in Three Varieties of African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa)

Salinity has threatened the existence of many useful and multipurpose legumes such as Sphenostylis stenocarpa. To revert this situation effort must be made towards its sustainable use by encouraging domestication of improved varieties that can thrive in salt stress region. This research study was aimed at establishing the effect of salt-stress on seed germination, morphological attributes and yield response of three ­varieties Sphenostylis stenocarpa. Data were collected from the third-weekly for a period of three months (12 weeks) on plant height and number of leaves. At 12 weeks, data were collected on the following traits: number of flowers per plant, number of pods per plant, length of pod and number of seeds per pod. The data on number of seed germinated was also taken. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and mean were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) test. Results obtained revealed that sodium chloride (NaCl+) significantly affected some important morphological traits of Sphenostylis stenocarpa evaluated. All varieties treated at various levels (1 kg/l, 2 kg/l and 3 kg/l) with NaCl performed poorly than those without treatment (control). This study revealed that there was no significant difference amongst all varieties of African yam been treated at 1 kg/l levels of NaCl. There was no significant different (p<0.05) among varieties of African yam bean at 0 kg/l in different morphological parameters evaluated. Salt stress significantly reduced (p<0.05) the germination of African yam bean.

Effect of Co-fermentation of Cassava and African Yam Bean on some Compositional and Sensory Properties of Pupuru

Aim: Consumption of pupuru (a cassava based food) is on the increasing trend in most parts of Nigeria, hence the need to improve the nutrients with under-utilised legume, African yam bean (AYB). The aim of this work was to co-ferment cassava and AYB at varying proportion and processed to pupuru flour. Study Design: Randomised Block Design was used in this study to assess the influence of different substitution levels of AYB on the properties of pupuru flour and the meal prepared from it. Methodology: The cassava roots were washed, peeled and grated to mash while the AYB was boiled, decorticated and milled into slurry. The AYB slurry was co-fermented with the cassava mash at different substitution level (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40%) and processed to pupuru flour. The 0% served as control (100% cassava). Samples of pupuru flour were evaluated for proximate composition, mineral and anti-nutritional contents. Meal (stiff dough) prepared from the flour was subjected to sensory evaluation. Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS software package. Results: The protein content ranged from 2.9 to 38.68%. The bulk density, swelling capacity, water absorption capacity ranged from 0.72% - 0.86%, 245.56% – 351.84%, and 191.01% - 255.36% respectively. The oxalate, tannin, phytate, and cyanide contents were in the range of 80.00-175.00 mg/100g, 24.55-73.70 mg/100g, 1.34–3.85 mg/100g, and 0.29-0.58 mg/100g respectively. The sensory attributes of pupuru meal indicated a significant difference (p < 0.05) among the samples, with 100% cassava pupuru been the most preferred in terms of taste and general acceptability.

Development of nutritional meals and gruels from blends of pro-vitamin a cassava grits and African yam

The potentials of underutilized African yam bean (AYB) and pro-vitamin A cassava in the development of nutritious food products with acceptable sensory properties were studied. Grits were produced from freshly harvested yellow root pro-vitamin A cassava by peeling, washing, cutting, soaking, dewatering, roasting, sieving, and milling to obtain yellow root cassava grits while AYB flour was obtained by cleaning, roasting, dehulling, milling, and sieving (425 µm). A simple lattice design was used to obtain formulations of blends (100:0; 90:10; 80:20; 70:30; 60:40 and 0:100) of yellow root cassava grits and AYB flour. Gruels were prepared from these formulations using 4:5 w/v in boiling water while meals were prepared using 1:1 w/v of blend in boiling water for 5 min. Moisture, fat, ash, protein, crude fibre, carbohydrate, β-carotene and calorific content of the blends were in the ranges of 4.66 – 7.92%, 2.20 – 2.82%, 2.16 – 2.66%, 2.72 – 20.43%, 1.15 – 1.40%, 68.65 – 83.23%, 1.33 to 3.97 μg/g and 348.37 – 358.96 kcal/100 g, respectively. Saponin, tannin, trypsin inhibitor, hemagglutinin, starchyose, raffinose, phytate and Hydrogen Cyanide ranged from 0.039 – 0.087%, 0.11 – 0.15%, 1.24 – 3.15 mg/g, 1.47 – 3.49 mg/100 g, 1.51 – 1.81%, 0.38 – 0.45%, 0.82 – 2.69 mg/g, 0.07 – 4.47 mg/kg, respectively. The sensory evaluation revealed that the meal and the gruel samples had acceptable sensory attributes. The developed products have the potentials in alleviating the problem of protein malnutrition in developing countries.