African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security

African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security ISSN: 2375-1177 Vol. 13 (4), pp. 001-008, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Evaluating Total Carotenoid and β-Carotene Degradation in Varieties of Bitter Yellow Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) 

R. G. Alcides Oliveira¹, M. J. Lucia de Carvalho¹*, R. Marília Nutti¹, L. V. José de Carvalho² and Wânia Gonçalves Fukuda³

¹Rio de Janeiro Federal University, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373 , CCS, Bloco K, Sala KI - 38, Ilha do Fundão, 21941902, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
²Embrapa Food Technology, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
³Embrapa Cassava and Tropical Fruits, Cruz das Almas, BA, Brazil.

Accepted 8 November, 2024

Abstract

The assessment of the variability of total carotenoid, ß-carotene, all-E, and 13 and 9-Z-ß-carotene isomers in twelve bitter yellow cassava was carried out, as well its degradation in five varieties after flour processing and during storage. HPLC and UV/ visible spectrophotometry were used in sample analyses. Varieties of bitter yellow cassava presented variation in the total carotenoid contents from 1.97 - 16.33 µg/bg and the ß-carotene contents varied from 1.37 - 7.66 µg/g. The 13, 9-Z and all-E-ß-carotene isomers were found in all varieties, being all -E-ß-carotene the predominant one. The mean degradation among the roots after processing was of 50%. Total carotenoid complete degradation was observed with less than 30 storage days. It was also observed that the total carotenoid contents in yellow bitter cassava roots varied, probably due to the characteristics of the used varieties. Heat during processing, light and oxygen might have been the agents that most contributed to flour total carotenoids degradation.

Key words: Bitter yellow cassava, ß-carotene, carotenoid, flour.
 

African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security ISSN: 2375-1177 Vol. 13 (3), pp. 001-005, March, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Assessing the Impact of Plant-Based Insecticides on the Nutritional Quality of Smoked Clarias gariepinus

F. O. Akinwumi¹* and M. E. Fesobi²

¹Department of Environmental Biology and Fisheries, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria.
²Central Research Laboratory, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Accepted 16 November, 2024

Abstract

The biochemical composition of smoked African mud catfish, Clarias gariepinus Burchell treated with four tropical plant materials, Dennettia tripetala, Eugenia aromatica, Piper guineense and Monodora myristica for the control of Dermestes maculatus was determined. 10 g of plant powders and 5 ml of 10% concentration of extracts were separately applied onto 1000 g disinfested smoked fish, exposed to ten insect larvae of the pest and stored for 30 days. Treated fish was analyzed for proximate and mineral compositions using standard procedures. The percentage protein (60.10 ± 0.00 - 62.05 ± 0.00), moisture (5.64 ± 0.12 - 8.98 ± 0.28), ash (17.06 ± 0.55 - 19.47 ± 0.21), lipid (10.98 ± 0.00 - 14.45 ± 0.00) and carbohydrate (0.28 ± 0.00 - 1.48 ± 0.00) compositions were obtained in fish treated with plant powders. Meanwhile extract-treated fish had protein (59.84 ± 0.00 - 61.35 ± 0.00), moisture (10.74 ± 0.18 - 12.11 ± 0.16), ash (13.31 ± 0.20 - 16.98 ± 0.26), lipid (10.60 ± 0.00 - 11.38 ± 0.00) and carbohydrate (0.45 ± 0.00 - 1.08 ± 0.00) components. Potassium, iron and sodium were present in high amounts while there were traces of calcium, zinc and magnesium. Selenium, lead and cadmium were not detected. The proximate values recorded in the treated fish significantly differed (p < 0.05) from the control but all values were within the range normally recorded in freshwater fish. The results obtained showed the nutritive acceptance of the admixtures and thus enhancing the use of the plant products as protectants of stored products in the tropics.

Key words: Proximate, insecticides, biochemical, catfish, hide-beetle.
 

African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security ISSN: 2375-1177 Vol. 13 (2), pp. 001-007, February, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research paper

Fortified Maize with Cowpea and Iron: A Strategy for Improving Children's Growth and Reducing Anaemia

Theodosia Adom¹, Matilda Steiner-Asiedu²*, Esther Sakyi-Dawson² and Alex K. Anderson³

¹Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Accra, Ghana. ²Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana. 3Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, Georgia.

Accepted 15 October, 2024

Abstract

Iron and iron deficiency anaemia is of concern globally, and most vulnerable are children and women. In Ghana, after six months of age when breast milk is not enough, children are given cereal-based gruels which are poor in nutrients. Addition of cowpea to maize improved nutrient quality but not enough to meet iron needs. We investigated the effect of iron-fortified maize-cowpea blend in controlling iron deficiency anaemia in a high risk population. Fifty-six children aged 6 - 18 months in two peri-urban communities were randomly assigned (i) iron-fortified food or (ii) non-iron fortified food, fed daily for six months. Haemoglobin concentration (Hb), serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation, weight, length and mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) were measured at baseline and at the end of intervention. Generally, growth improved in the iron fortified group over the control group. Iron status was improved in the test group. Significant differences were observed in haemoglobin concentration (1.08±1.43 compared with -0.40±1.72 g/dL, p=0.0009), and the risk of developing anaemia was about 3 times less likely among this group compared to the non-fortified group. The children liked the diets, and preparation did not create an additional burden for mothers. Use of cowpeas and maize are within the socio-cultural context of the people, hence the right vehicle for fortification and has implications for intervention, policy and advocacy.

Key words: Iron status, anaemia, child growth, fortification, maize.
 

African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security ISSN: 2375-1177 Vol. 13 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Fungal and aflatoxin contamination of some human food commodities in Nigeria

H. A. Makun¹*, S. T. Anjorin², B. Moronfoye¹, F. O. Adejo¹, O. A. Afolabi¹, G. Fagbayibo¹, B. O. Balogun¹ and A. A. Surajudeen¹

¹Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.
²Department of Crop Production, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.

Accepted 16 November, 2024

Abstract

This paper provides data of investigation of fungal, aflatoxins M1 (AFM1) and B1 (AFB1) contamination of three hundred and forty three samples of five different food commodities from three States in Nigeria. Maize samples from Niger (43) and Kogi (50) States and dried yam chips (50) from Niger State were purchased and assessed for fungal contaminants. Seventy (30 each from the maize samples and 11 from yam chips) of the two hundred and forty five fungi isolated from the maize and dried yam chips samples (77 and 151 from maize from Niger and Kogi respectively, and 17 from yam chips) were screened for their mycotoxin producing potentials in albino mice. One hundred samples of imported powdered milk marketed in Lagos metropolis were also analyzed for AFM1 using column chromatography for clean up and thin layer chromatography coupled with a densitometer equipped with winCATs soft ware for quantification. The Aflatoxin B1 contents of fifty marketed samples each of beans and wheat from Minna were also determined using thin layer chromatography with visual estimation. Fusarium species, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus were the major seed borne fungi in maize from the two States. While the predominant fungal contaminants of dried yam chips were Fusarium, Aspergillus and Mucor species. Toxicity screening results showed that 68.57% of the fungi tested were toxigenic and were mostly isolates of Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, Rhizopus and Mucor. AFM1 was detected in 19 samples out of the 100 milk samples analyzed at levels ranging from 0.02 - 0.41 µg/kg. AFB1 was found in 29 out of the 50 beans (63.5 - 106.2 µg/kg) samples analyzed while 54% of the 50 marketed wheat samples (102.9 - 198.4 µg/kg) were also contaminated with the toxin. While the AFM1 found in the milk samples were below the 0.5 µg/kg permitted by European Union, Codex Alimentarius Commission and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Nigeria, the AFBI levels in beans and wheat were above the permissible limits of these regulatory agencies (4 - 5 µg/kg).

Key words: Fungi, aflatoxins, maize, yam, milk, beans, wheat.
 

African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security ISSN: 2375-1177 Vol. 13 (1), pp. 001-006, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Exploring Farmers' Knowledge Gaps and Their Impact on Demand for Seed and Irrigation Technologies in Nigeria: A Comprehensive Assessment

Hiroyuki Takeshima

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) c/o International Center for Soil Fertility and Agricultural Development, Plot #1413 Cadestral, Zone AO3, Garki II, Abuja, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +234 80 3624 6156.

Accepted 5 November, 2024

Abstract

In Sub-Sahara African countries like Nigeria where the substitutability of agricultural inputs tend to be low, policies that directly improve access to deficient inputs (“input-specific” policies) may be more effective than other policies that improve access to all inputs but to a lesser extent (“general” policies). This study uniquely assesses how input-specific policies were distinguished from general policies among selected studies on seed and irrigation technologies in Nigeria. Findings indicate that significant knowledge gaps might exist in Nigeria for “input-specific” information and in different ways for each seed and irrigation technologies. Key implications on future research were discussed.

Key words: Nigeria, seed, irrigation, input substitutability, technology adoption.

African Journal of Agriculture and Food Security ISSN: 2375-1177 Vol. 12 (7), pp. 001-002, July, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Perspective

The Impact of Rural-Urban Migration on Food Security in Burkina Faso

Pam M. Zahonogo

Department of Economics, University Ouaga II, Burkina Faso 03 BP 7164 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.
E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +226 70 26 81 13, +226 78 24 11 24. Fax: +226 50 31 55 49.

Accepted 9 March, 2024

Abstract

This article examines the complex relationship between migration and food security in Burkina Faso, focusing on the impact of migration on agricultural production. Burkina Faso, a country facing significant challenges in food security, experiences substantial internal and external migration. This study explores how migration, both within and outside the country, influences agricultural production, impacting food availability, access, and utilization. The article analyzes the role of remittances, labor mobility, and knowledge transfer in shaping agricultural practices and outcomes. It also explores the potential for migration to contribute to food security through diversification of income sources and improved access to resources. By examining the multifaceted effects of migration on agricultural production, this article sheds light on the intricate dynamics between human mobility and food security in Burkina Faso.

Keywords: Burkina Faso, Migration, Food Security, Agriculture, Agricultural Production, Climate Change, Rural Development, Poverty, Livelihoods, Food Systems.