Article
Plant Sciences
Arosh Bandula, Abu S. M. G. Kibria, Tapan Kumar Nath
Summary: Understanding the value chain and profitability of underutilized crops is crucial for their increased cultivation in developing countries. This study analyzes the value chain maps and economic performance of three important underutilized crops in Southeastern Sri Lanka. The findings highlight the need for farmer organizations and institutional support to improve value addition and socioeconomic outcomes.
Article
Agronomy
Hossein Janmohammadi, Babak Hosseintabar-Ghasemabad, Saeid Amirdahri, Ivan Fedorovich Gorlov, Karpenko Ekaterina Vladimirovna, Marina Ivanovna Slozhenkina, Rana Muhammad Bilal, Alireza Seidavi, Clive Julian Christie Phillips
Summary: Amaranth, a drought-tolerant pseudocereal, was examined for its effect on metabolisable energy in broiler chickens. The study found that heat treatment had a greater impact on energy value compared to enzyme addition. However, a synergistic effect was observed when heat treatment and enzyme inclusion were combined in the amaranth diets.
Review
Plant Sciences
Zongwen Zhang, Jing Zhang, Ping Lu, Bin Wu, Minxuan Liu, Jia Gao, Chunchao Wang, Keyu Bai, Ganggang Guo
Summary: Underutilized grain crops play a critical role in the agriculture system of China, providing livelihood options for farmers and healthy food for the population.
Review
Plant Sciences
Maria de la Luz Riviello-Flores, Jorge Cadena-Iniguez, Lucero del Mar Ruiz-Posadas, Ma. de Lourdes Arevalo-Galarza, Israel Castillo-Juarez, Marcos Soto Hernandez, Carlos Roman Castillo-Martinez
Summary: Agricultural biodiversity consists of species with biological variants that can provide valuable resources. Traditional genetic breeding is time-consuming and expensive, but inducing mutagenesis can be a short-term option. Research on the application of gamma radiation in different crop species can help obtain secondary metabolites and molecular tools for mutation screening.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Sarah K. Jones, Natalia Estrada-Carmona, Stella D. Juventia, M. Ehsan Dulloo, Marie-Angelique Laporte, Chiara Villani, Roseline Remans
Summary: Improving biodiversity in food systems is crucial for healthier diets and sustainable food production. There are significant differences in agrobiodiversity status among countries, with developed countries scoring higher on average compared to developing countries.
Article
Agronomy
Diego Salazar, Mirari Arancibia, Ivan Ocana, Roman Rodriguez-Maecker, Mauricio Bedon, Maria Elvira Lopez-Caballero, Maria Pilar Montero
Summary: An analysis of ancestral Andean crop flours from Ecuador revealed differences in protein, carbohydrate, starch, fiber, fat, and phenol content. Principal component analysis showed distinct characteristics among the flours, indicating the potential for Andean crop flours to be utilized as important ingredients in food technology.
Review
Horticulture
Stuart Alan Walters
Summary: Horseradish is a medicinal plant species with numerous health benefits, containing rich biologically active compounds including glucosinolates and their breakdown products, isothiocyanates, which have preventive and inhibitory effects on diseases like cancer. It also exhibits antibacterial and antioxidant properties, aids in digestion, and reduces constipation. Its potential for improving human health should be promoted through extensive marketing campaigns.
Article
Plant Sciences
Umakanta Sarker, Ya-Ping Lin, Shinya Oba, Yosuke Yoshioka, Ken Hoshikawa
Summary: Climate change poses a serious threat to global food security, and dependence on a few crops could lead to genetic diversity loss. Exploiting orphan crops can help address environmental adaptation, biodiversity preservation, and nutrient improvement for food security, as well as improve farmers' income and health benefits in developing countries.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Sarah Geisen, Kiruba Krishnaswamy, Rob Myers
Summary: The study highlights the importance of researching ancient seed grains in addressing food and nutritional challenges, while also analyzing the morphological characteristics of these grains to provide useful data for agricultural storage and processing. This calls for the development of novel food processing technologies to minimize loss and damage during processing of climate-resilient crops.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jose Goncalves-Dias, Akanksha Singh, Corbinian Graf, Markus G. Stetter
Summary: Crop domestication and expansion is not a linear process, but involves gene flow from locally adapted wild relatives, which provide adaptive alleles. Gene flow decreases genetic load in domesticated crop species, while also creating reproductive barriers between crop species. This study on grain amaranth demonstrates the important role of gene flow in domestication and expansion, despite genetic species barriers.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Denis J. Mahoney, David L. Jordan, Andrew T. Hare, Ramon G. Leon, Nilda Roma-Burgos, Matthew C. Vann, Katherine M. Jennings, Wesley J. Everman, Charles W. Cahoon
Summary: Palmer amaranth is a highly competitive weed with seed production greatly influenced by the presence of different crops, showing significantly higher seed production when emerging with crops compared to emerging three weeks later. This highlights the importance of controlling weeds during the early stages of the season and the impact of crop sequence on weed seed bank management.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Taiwo Oluwafunmilola Abifarin, Gloria Aderonke Otunola, Anthony Jide Afolayan
Summary: The study revealed that Heteromorpha arborescens leaves are rich in nutrients, minerals, and vitamins, with antinutrient levels mostly within safe ranges, indicating their potential to effectively meet daily nutritional requirements and provide therapeutic benefits.
FOOD SCIENCE & NUTRITION
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Janet Adeyinka Adebo
Summary: The world is facing global challenges such as insecurity, poverty, and climate change which can impact food availability and production. To meet global food demands, there is a need to promote underexploited and neglected crops to improve food and nutrition security.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Editorial Material
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Obianuju Chiamaka Emmanuel, Olubukola Oluranti Babalola
Summary: Amaranthus spp occupies a strategic position in combating food and nutrition insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa due to its wide consumption and nutrient-rich leaves. Despite being underutilized in South Africa, increased awareness and research efforts towards agronomic improvement and market organization can lead to nationwide utilization. Introducing amaranth into mainstream agricultural value chains will ensure sustainable production to match the anticipated increase in consumption.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
D. B. Adelabu, A. C. Franke
Summary: Planning and adapting approaches for seed improvement in underutilized crops require assessing research activities. We analyzed research trends and activities in seed improvement of underutilized crops from 1990 to 2021. Strong research publications and collaborations were observed in countries like USA, Canada, India, Nigeria, and China. Key research areas include genetic diversity, seed performance, crop management, and genetic analysis tools for seed improvement. There is also an increase in international collaborations and funding for studies on underutilized crop seed improvement.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Rosalizan Md Saleh, Boris Kulig, Arman Arefi, Oliver Hensel, Barbara Sturm
Summary: The study evaluated the performance of the Partial Least Square Regression model in assessing the quality of dried carrots during the drying process. The results showed that non-invasive measurement using hyperspectral imaging had the potential to accurately determine quality attributes in carrots. The statistical agreement between this method and standard laboratory analysis was also satisfactory.
JOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Arman Arefi, Barbara Sturm, Gardis von Gersdorff, Abozar Nasirahmadi, Oliver Hensel
Summary: Hyperspectral images and Gaussian Process Regression were successfully used to predict several parameters of apple slices during hot-air drying. However, the models failed to predict rehydration ratio and total phenolic content. Research suggests that multi spectral systems may be a more cost-effective alternative to hyperspectral systems.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Folasade Olabimpe Adeboyejo, Olaide Ruth Aderibigbe, Fehintola Oluwatosin Ojo, Steven Akintomide Fagbemi
Summary: This study evaluated the changes in hog plum juice during storage, finding that refrigeration can retain more bioactive components, potentially leading to positive health impacts for consumers.
NUTRITION & FOOD SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Mohammed Sharif Swallah, Xiaoqing Yang, Jiaxin Li, Joseph Kudadam Korese, Sainan Wang, Hongliang Fan, Hansong Yu, Qing Huang
Summary: Glycine max, an economically important grain crop, has varied potential health benefits. Recent studies have focused on the bioavailability and bioaccessibility of soybean bioactive compounds. This review presents evidence-based information on the therapeutic and nutritional importance of soybean phytochemicals and their implications on general health. The bioavailability, metabolism, and safety of soybean phytochemicals are also discussed, as well as the need for clinical trials to confirm these functional properties in humans.
FOOD REVIEWS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Olajide Emmanuel Adedeji, Ha Eun Lee, Yeojin Kim, Hye Jee Kang, Mi Dan Kang, Ji Yoon Kim, Jung Soo Kim, Olufunke Oluseyi Ezekiel, Won-Chan Kim, Sung-Joon Lee, Kwang-Deog Moon, Young Hoon Jung
Summary: This study evaluates the use of three-dimensional printing (3DP) in improving the aesthetic qualities of insect-based products. The results show good incorporation of insect powder (IP) and wheat flour (WF), with samples exhibiting good viscoelastic properties and textural characteristics. The study suggests that 3DP can effectively enhance the visual quality of edible insects and reduce consumer apathy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Olufunke Oluseyi Ezekiel, Olajide Emmanuel Adedeji, Bolanle Ajarat Ogungbade, Lucas Molade, Ajibola Omawunmi Ibrahim
Summary: This study investigated the physicochemical properties of Hibiscus congestiflorus leaf powder (HCLP) and its application as a foaming agent in the foam-mat drying of cowpea paste. The results showed that HCLP had high nutrient density and could be used in foam-mat drying. There were no significant differences in foam density and solubility between the cowpea powder foam-mat dried with HCLP and glyceryl monostearate. However, there were differences in other properties between the two.
JOURNAL OF CULINARY SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Barbara Sturm, Sharvari Raut, Solomon Kofi Chikpah, John Ndisya, Oliver Hensel, Albert Esper, Joseph Kudadam Korese
Summary: Currently, 20% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa is food insecure, with hunger and malnutrition rates still increasing. In addition, over a third of harvestable perishable produce is lost due to poor preservation methods or underutilization. This study investigates the impact of drying settings on the quality of cocoyam and orange-flesh sweet potato (OFSP), and provides guidelines for decentralized food processing.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
A. Amo-Aidoo, E. N. Kumi, O. Hensel, J. K. Korese, B. Sturm
Summary: Current global climate change mitigation programs have fallen short of the Paris Agreement's targets, and Ghana is facing the same challenge. It is crucial to enhance renewable energy deployment programs, with a particular focus on solar energy, in order to achieve renewable energy goals and promote universal access to electricity.
SCIENTIFIC AFRICAN
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Joseph Kudadam Korese, Matthew Atongbiik Achaglinkame
Summary: The present study investigated the effect of slice thickness, pretreatment, and drying air temperature on the nutritional, functional, and pasting properties of G. erubescens fruits. The 5 mm thick samples had higher fiber, carbohydrate, and mineral contents but lower protein, fat, and energy contents compared to the 3 mm samples. Pretreatment and drying temperature also affected the quality properties, with blanching improving certain mineral contents and pasting properties, while dipping in ascorbic acid solution reduced them. Overall, drying 5 mm thick G. erubescens fruit slices at 60 degrees C without pretreatment preserved most of the proximate and mineral contents, functional and pasting properties.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Horticulture
Christian Hoeing, Sharvari Raut, Abozar Nasirahmadi, Barbara Sturm, Oliver Hensel
Summary: This study aimed to develop an optical filter-based system that can distinguish between slugs and soil. By measuring the spectral characteristics of slugs and soil in the visible and visible near-infrared wavebands, conspicuous maxima and minima were found in the reflection spectra of slugs in the near infrared range. A slug detector device was developed using the extrema determined from the reflection spectra of slugs, and an optical system was set up to highlight slugs and remove soil in images. The resulting image enabled the detection of slugs through a threshold method.
