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Back to the Future – The Prospects of African Indigenous Crops as Future Foods
Published in David R. Katerere, Wendy Applequist, Oluwaseyi M. Aboyade, Chamunorwa Togo, Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge for the Modern Era, 2019
Callistus Bvenura, Estonce T. Gwata, Felix D. Dakora
This chapter will review the literature on the phytochemical, nutritional, and health benefits of some gluten-free crops indigenous to the global South, with a special focus on Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.), finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.), cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa L.). Their supply chains, industrial uses, and potential for innovation are also explored. Further, their antinutritional aspects are commented on. Most global staple crops contain some compounds that have an anti-nutritive effect, and this does not mean that they are not safe or nutritious foods. Although adverse health effects of antinutrients have been documented, some beneficial ones have also been reported, suggesting that the so-called antinutrient effect is concentration-dependent (Shahidi 1997). For example, lectins, phytic acid, phenolic compounds, saponins, and some enzyme inhibitors reduce blood glucose and reduce the risk of cancer when consumed in low quantities (Yoon et al. 1983). However, when a crop is used as a staple, preparation methods should perhaps be chosen to decrease these compounds to preserve or increase its nutritive value. The mainstreaming of these underutilized crops into the diet could help to lower food and nutrition insecurity in the face of climate variability.
The Sustainability of the World's Soils
Published in Bill Pritchard, Rodomiro Ortiz, Meera Shekar, Routledge Handbook of Food and Nutrition Security, 2016
Stefan Hauser, Lindsey Norgrove
Still existing early forms of tropical agriculture used land in an extensive way by selectively removing vegetation by slashing, followed by burning, yet conserving part of the original vegetation. This ensures that after the cropping phase, fallow re-establishment is rapid. In many parts of West and Central Africa, such practices are enshrined in traditional laws affecting land use rights. For example, in southern Cameroon, mvut (Trichoscypha acuminata) and tom (Pachypodanthium staudtii) trees have to be conserved during clearing to gain exclusive control of the land (Diaw 1997). Likewise, it is forbidden to cut down Garcinia kola trees and thus they feature commonly in food crop fields (Fondoun and Tiki Manga 2000). In such fields, relatively shade-tolerant crops such as plantain (Musa spp. AAB), the cocoyams tannia (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) and taro (Colocasia esculenta) are grown. In the savannah, with fewer trees, light-demanding crops such as sorghum, millet and cowpea are dominant. In the past, crops such as African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa), bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) and various species of melon were more important. These systems were predominant at low human population densities and are still deemed sustainable. However, here it is important to distinguish between sustainability and productivity. The traditional systems were sustainable, meaning they were reliably producing crops sufficient to sustain farming households year after year. Systems relied upon long fallow phases during which soil chemical fertility was restored, weeds were smothered, pests and diseases were reduced or eliminated, and soil macrofaunal populations reestablished under the permanent shade (Hauser 1993). These processes stabilized soil physical and chemical properties. Soil macrofauna produce large biopores with high continuity, allowing rapid water infiltration during heavy rainstorms, thus avoiding or reducing soil erosion.
Collagen biosynthesis stimulation and anti-melanogenesis of bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) extracts
Published in Pharmaceutical Biology, 2020
Romchat Chutoprapat, Waraporn Malilas, Rattikarl Rakkaew, Sarinporn Udompong, Korawinwich Boonpisuttinant
Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verde. [Fabaceae]) (BG) is originally from Africa, but it is widely distributed in Asian countries including Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. Its ability to withstand high temperatures and drought makes it a valuable crop in areas of low rainfall. BG has been widely used as a functional ingredient in the food industry, such as in the production of puddings (Ndidi et al. 2014), milk (Murevanhema and Jideani 2015) and snacks (Oyeyinka et al. 2018) due to its balance of carbohydrates, protein and fat, as well as having high amounts of particular amino acids, such as methionine and fatty acids (Bamshaiye et al. 2011; Arise et al. 2015). Besides being a food crop, other reports have shown that protein hydrolysate from Bambara groundnut exhibits antioxidant properties (Arise et al. 2016). To further increase the utilization of Bambara groundnut, it is important to explore new uses of this plant that go beyond its traditional usage, especially for cosmeceuticals.