Underutilized Food Research Articles

Food crop production, nutrient availability, and nutrient intakes in Bangladesh: exploring the agriculture-nutrition nexus with the 2010 Household Income and Expenditure Survey.

Systematic collection of national agricultural data has been neglected in many low- and middle-income countries for the past 20 years. Commonly conducted nationally representative household surveys collect substantial quantities of highly underutilized food crop production data. To demonstrate the potential usefulness of commonly available household survey databases for analyzing the agriculture-nutrition nexus. Using household data from the 2010 Bangladesh Household Income and Expenditure Survey, the role and significance of crop selection, area planted, yield, nutrient production, and the disposition of 34 food crops in affecting the adequacy of farming households' nutrient availability and nutrient intake status are explored. The adequacy of each farming household's available energy, vitamin A, calcium, iron, and zinc and households' apparent intakes and intake adequacies are estimated. Each household's total apparent nutrient intake adequacies are estimated, taking into account the amount of each crop that households consume from their own production, together with food purchased or obtained from other sources. Even though rice contains relatively small amounts of micronutrients, has relatively low nutrient density, and is a relatively poor source of nutrients compared with what other crops can produce on a given tract of land, because so much rice is produced in Bangladesh, it is the source of 90% of the total available energy, 85% of the zinc, 67% of the calcium, and 55% of the iron produced by the agricultural sector. The domination of agriculture and diet by rice is a major constraint to improving nutrition in Bangladesh. Simple examples of how minor changes in the five most common cropping patterns could improve farming households' nutritional status are provided. Household surveys' agricultural modules can provide a useful tool for better understanding national nutrient production realities and possibilities.

Underutilized food crops: treasure for the future India

Underutilized crops are lesser-known plant species in terms of marketing and research, but well adapted to marginal and stress conditions. Their indigenous potential and ethnobotanical data are well known to people, whereas, commercial importance and market value is unknown to the public. The survey conducted and the indigenous data gathered gave information that, UUC’s make Indian economy sounder and in many cases benefit the environment as well, by replacing the depleting resources with the new ones. In India, strategy development and appropriate policies are limited to a large extent because of the lack of authentic documentation on these crops. The Indian government policies and strategies for food security should take into account the diversity of underutilized crops. Although the options for scaling-up neglected crops for large-scale agriculture appear to be increasingly exhausted, many species have the potential to contribute to food security, nutrition, dietary and culinary diversification, health and income generation. Basically, these UUC’s are multifold food crops as the treasures for the future India have greater potential for food and security, income generation and environmental services.

Agricultural Biodiversity in Southern Brazil: Integrating Efforts for Conservation and Use of Neglected and Underutilized Species

Brazil is one of the most biodiversity rich countries in the world, including a wealth of agricultural biodiversity in both wild and cultivated forms. This is particularly noticeable in southern Brazil, home to a wide array of underutilized food species whose genetic diversity is maintained mostly by farmers through on-farm management practices. Farmers’ contribution in safeguarding and keeping alive traditional knowledge (TK) essential for recognizing, cultivating, valorising and consuming these resources is critical to their conservation. Part of this diversity, a rich basket of native fruits and landraces of vegetables and grains, is also maintained through ex situ collections managed by Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) and its partners. This article discusses the integrated efforts for in situ/on-farm and ex situ conservation and use of agricultural biodiversity in southern Brazil. This diversity represents an important cultural heritage, since its use, cultivation and associated knowledge result from the dynamic history of the Brazilian population, including colonisation and immigration by several different ethnicities. Many of these species are sources of genes that convey tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, as a result of the combined action of natural selection and artificial selection by farmers in agricultural systems with low inputs and diverse environmental conditions. Due to their importance for food security, use in breeding programs, high nutritional value, and potential for income generation, Embrapa has taken responsibility for the ex situ conservation of these species. The genebanks that safeguard against the loss of these resources do also play an important role in the restoration of this germplasm to farming communities.

Vangueria madagascariensis J.F. Gmelin (Rubiaceae) - an under-utilised African traditional medicinal food plant with potential applications

Vangueria madagascariensis J.F. Gmelin (Rubiaceae) is one of the most common species of the genus Vangueria which have received scientific attention for its extensive ethnomedicinal applications worldwide. Generally cultivated for its sweet-sour fruits, this plant has also brought significant contribution in the African materia medica for its antimicrobial and anthelmintic properties since time immemorial. In vitro data revealed the presence of a number of bio-constituents with pluripotential mechanism of action which might be responsible for its medicinal virtues. Recent findings also support its promising potential for use against inflammatory diseases and as functional food/dietary adjunct for the management of diabetes mellitus and related complications. The present monograph endeavours to highlight the botanical description, ethnopharmacological uses, and main therapeutic benefits of Vangueria madagascariensis. Special emphasis has been geared towards recent in vitro data which tend to support its ethnopharmacological use in the traditional medicine of many countries.

Plant Climbing in the Northern Two-lined Salamander, <em>Eurycea bislineata</em>, in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario

Lungless salamanders (Plethodontidae) are often active on the surface on rainy evenings, and some species may even climb vegetation in search of prey. Here I report the first investigation of plant climbing in the Northern Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea bislineata). Surveys were carried out along Bat Lake Creek in Algonquin Provincial Park over four rainy nights in summer 2007 for Northern Two-lined Salamanders. I compared the numbers of Northern Two-lined Salamanders foraging on the ground with those climbing on plants, and over half of the Northern Two-lined Salamanders were climbing plants. This behaviour may provide the Northern Two-lined Salamander with access to an underutilized food source, and plants may represent an additional foraging habitat for this species.

Development of SSR for foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.) and its utility in genetic discrimination of a core set

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.) is an underutilized food and forage crop with immense potential in improving global food security. In this study sequence data were mined at the database of NCBI with the aim of developing polymorphic nucleotide and expressed sequence tags (ESTs) simple sequence repeat markers. Successful amplification was visualized on 3 % agarose gel. The selected 12 candidate markers were further used to characterize available 155 core collections. A total number of 198 alleles with an average of 16.5 alleles per loci were discovered. Heterozygosity (H) ranged between 0.05 (UH-Si-173) to 0.23 (UH-Si-487) with a mean average of 0.16. Gene diversity ranged from 0.15 (UHSi-766) to 0.96 (UH-Si-500), with an average value of 0.80 across the populations. The polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from 0.15 (UH-Si-766) to 0.96 (UH-Si-500) with a mean value of 0.79. A positive correlation (r = 0.720; P < 0.01) was found between the PIC and the number of alleles. Weighted neighbor joining dendrogram generated seven major clusters. More polymorphism was detected with the nucleotides derived microsatellites when compared to the ESTs derived microsatellites. This result shows that the morphological and phenotypic descriptors used for the development of the 155 core collections of foxtail millet was optimal enough to capture as much diversity. The newly developed markers in this study are quite informative and recommended for future genetic studies in the species and close related genera.

Development of a regional food composition table for West Africa

Knowledge of the nutrient content of foods is fundamental for virtually all nutrition-related projects, programmes and policies. Low quality compositional data may lead to inappropriate policies and funds spent unnecessarily. Existing food composition tables (FCT) for most West African countries date back to 1960 and 1970 and contain in general few foods and components without documentation. As a result of the recommendations by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Nutrition forum and other high level meetings, FAO/INFOODS, WAHO/ECOWAS and Bioversity International developed the West African FCT. It contains 472 foods and 28 components. Emphasis was given to include data on food biodiversity by incorporating cultivars/varieties and underutilized foods. The West African FCT enables users to address diet-related health problems, strengthen local development, enhance trade and promote biodiversity. In addition it contributes to poverty alleviation in both rural and urban areas. The FCT needs to be updated regularly and it is the most recent example of INFOODS for regional food composition activities.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INDIGENOUS PROCESSING METHODS OFXYLIA XYLOCARPASEEDS AND THEIR TOTAL FREE PHENOLICS, ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AND HEALTH-RELEVANT FUNCTIONALITY

ABSTRACT The methanolic extract of Xylia xylocarpa (Roxb.) Taub. (Mimosaceae) raw seed materials contained total free phenolic content of 14.35 ± 1.66 g catechin equivalent/100 g extract dry matter. Encouraging levels of ferric reducing/antioxidant power (1,096 mmol Fe[II]/mg extract), inhibition of β-carotene degradation (59.85%) and scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (72.31%) and superoxide (60.31%) radicals were exhibited by the methanolic extract of raw samples. Furthermore, it also recorded 82.23% of α-amylase and 77.28% of α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition characteristics under in vitro starch digestion bioassay. Sprouting + oil frying caused a significant increase in the total free phenolic content and also apparent improvement on the antioxidant and free radical-scavenging activities of X. xylocarpa seeds, while soaking + cooking as well as open-pan roasting treatments showed diminishing effects. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The consumption of processed legume grains would not only provide the necessary nutrients but also act as potential nutraceuticals and improve the human health. In this connection, in the present study, the antioxidant activity and type II diabetes-related functionality of methanolic extract of an underutilized food legume Xylia xylocarpa (Roxb.) Taub. were analyzed. A positive correlation between phenolic content and antioxidant activity was established through this investigation. Furthermore, a suitable and minimal processing method has been identified to preserve the health beneficial properties of this wild-type legume grain. Thus, the suitably processed X. xylocarpa seeds with favorable antioxidant and type II diabetes-related enzyme inhibition properties could be considered as a potential candidate for the prevention of type II diabetes. The findings of this research work could be more useful in developing/formulating supplementary foods with therapeutic value to alleviate free radical-mediated chronic diseases, including type II diabetes.

Proximate analysis of Sphenostylis stenocarpa and Voadzeia subterranean consumed inSouth Eastern Nigeria

Proximate analyses of two traditional grain legumes consumed in Eastern Nigeria- Bambara groundnut (Voadzeia subterranean) and African yam beans (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) were carried out. Bambara groundnut was found to contain 2.86±0.02% moisture, 32.40±0.02% protein, 7.35± 0.02% fat, 5.78±0.02% ash, 2.68±0.02% crude fiber and 51.78±0.02% total carbohydrates. African yam beans contained the following: 1.96± 0.02% moistuire, 37.21±0.02% proteins, 9.49±0.02% fat, 5.35±0.02 Ash, 3.55±0.02 crude fiber and 44.4±0.02% total carbohydrates. The result indicates that the two underutilized food legumes have high protein content with African yam beans having slightly higher value of the protein nutrient. They also contain varying levels of ash content, crude fiber and carbohydrates. This reveals that bambara groundnut and African yam beans are important food sources that can be exploited particularly in the developing countries were there is shortage in animal protein and under nutrition facing many families in developing countries. Key words: Bambara groundnut, African yam beans, proximate analysis, under nutrition, protein.

Proximate analysis of Sphenostylis stenocarpa and Voadzeia subterranean consumed in South - Eastern Nigeria

Proximate analyses of two traditional grain legumes consumed in Eastern Nigeria- Bambara groundnut (Voadzeia subterranean) and African yam beans (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) were carried out. Bambara groundnut was found to contain 2.86 ± 0.02% moisture, 32.40 ± 0.02% protein, 7.35 ± 0.02% fat, 5.78 ± 0.02% ash, 2.68 ± 0.02% crude fiber and 51.78 ± 0.02% total carbohydrates. African yam beans contained following: 1.96 ± 0.02% moisture, 37.21 ± 0.02% proteins, 9.49 ± 0.02% fat, 5.35 ± 0.02 Ash, 3.55 ± 0.02 crude fiber and 44.4 ± 0.02% total carbohydrates. The result indicated that the two underutilized food legumes have high protein content with African yam beans having slightly higher value of the protein nutrient. They also contained varying levels of ash content, crude fiber and carbohydrates. This revealed that bambara groundnut and African yam beans are important food sources that can be exploited particularly in the developing countries where there is shortage in animal protein and undernutrition facing many families in developing countries. Key words: Bambara groundnut, African yam beans, proximate analysis, undernutrition, protein.

Characterisation of phenolic acids, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins and antioxidant activity of water extracts from seed coats of marama bean [Tylosema esculentum] – an underutilised food legume

SummaryFreeze‐dried aqueous phenolic extracts with possible application as natural antioxidant functional food ingredients were prepared from marama bean seed coats by extracting with water. Phenolic acids, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins in the extracts were characterised by HPLC/MS. The major flavonoids were the flavanols methyl (epi)afzelechin‐3‐O‐gallate (40%) and methyl (epi)catechin‐3‐O‐gallate (28%), and the major phenolic acid was gallic acid (10%). Proanthocyanidins in the extracts were predominantly prodelphinidins composed of epicatechin‐3‐O‐gallate and epigallocatechin present as major terminal and extension units and epigallocatechin‐3‐O‐gallate and epicatechin present as minor extension unit constituents. The polymer structure was found to be unique compared with other legumes because of the high percentage of galloylated units. Extracts showed a high DPPH free radical scavenging activity (707 μmol TE g−1), protective effect against AAPH‐induced human red blood cell haemolysis and copper‐catalysed human LDL oxidation suggesting that the extracts may have potential health benefits.

Antioxidant and type II diabetes related enzyme inhibition properties of methanolic extract of an underutilized food legume, Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC: Effect of traditional processing methods

The methanolic extract of Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC (Jack bean) seed, an underutilized food legume collected from India was analyzed for antioxidant and health relevant functional properties. The raw seeds contained total free phenolic content of 12.98±1.63g catechin equivalent/100g extract DM. The raw seed extract exhibited ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP, 1218mmol Fe[II]/mg extract), inhibition of β-carotene degradation (49.81%), radical scavenging activity against DPPH (56.78%) and superoxide (35.89%). In addition, 77.56% of α-amylase and 75.45% of α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition characteristics were found under in vitro starch digestion bioassay. Sprouting+oil-frying caused an apparent increase on the total free phenolic content with significant improvement on antioxidant and free-radical scavenging capacity, while soaking+cooking as well as open-pan roasting treatments showed diminishing effects. Inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme activities were declined to 22.69 and 42.69%, respectively during sprouting+oil-frying treatment is more desirable for the dietary management of type II diabetic patients.

Phenolic Content in Traditionally Processed Erythrina indica L. Seeds: Antioxidant Potential and Type II Diabetes Related Functionality

The methanolic extract of Erythrina indica L. (Paltemadar) seed materials, an underutilized food legume collected from India was analyzed for antioxidant and health relevant functional properties. The methanolic extract of raw seeds contained total free phenolic content of 11.78 ± 1.17 g catechin equivalent/100 g extract DM. Encouraging levels of ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP, 1213 mmol Fe[II]/mg extract), inhibition of β-carotene degradation (48.26%) and scavenging activity against DPPH (63.46%) and superoxide (44.56%) radicals were exhibited by the raw samples. Further, it also recorded 64.38% of α-amylase and 78.82% of α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition characteristics under in vitro starch digestion bioassay. Sprouting + oil-frying caused an apparent increase on the total free phenolic content and also significantly improved the antioxidant and free radical scavenging capacity of E. indica seeds, while soaking + cooking as well as open-pan roasting treatments showed diminishing effects. Moreover, inhibition of α-amylase and α- glucosidase enzyme activities was declined to 22.48 and 40.91%, respectively during sprouting + oil-frying treatment, which is more desirable for the dietary management of type II diabetic patients.

Contribution of phenolic compounds to the antioxidant potential and type II diabetes related enzyme inhibition properties of Pongamia pinnata L. Pierre seeds

The methanolic extract of Pongamia pinnata L. Pierre (locally called as karanja) seed materials, an underutilized food legume collected from India was analyzed for antioxidant and type II diabetes related enzyme inhibition properties. The methanolic extract of raw seeds contained total free phenolic content of 14.85±0.32g catechin equivalent/100g extract DM. Encouraging levels of ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP, 1179mmol Fe[II]/mg extract), inhibition of β-carotene degradation (41.13%) and radical scavenging activity against DPPH (54.64%) and superoxide (54.53%) were exhibited by the raw sample. Further, it also recorded 77.92% of α-amylase and 86.50% of α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition characteristics under in vitro starch digestion bioassay. Sprouting+oil-frying caused a apparent increase on the total free phenolic content and also significant improvement on the antioxidant and free radical scavenging capacity of P. pinnata seeds, while soaking+cooking as well as open-pan roasting treatments showed diminishing effects. Moreover, inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme activities was declined to 24.24 and 45.14%, respectively during sprouting+oil-frying treatment, which are more desirable for the dietary management of type II diabetic patients.

Antioxidant Potential and Health Relevant Functionality of Traditionally Processed Cassia hirsuta L. Seeds: An Indian Underutilized Food Legume

The methanolic extract of Cassia hirsuta L. seed materials, an underutilized food legume collected from India, was analyzed for antioxidant activity and health relevant functionality. The methanolic extract of raw seeds contained a total free phenolic content of 15.82 ± 1.69 g catechin equivalent/100 g extract DM. Encouraging levels of ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP, 1,446 mmol Fe[II]/mg extract), inhibition of ß-carotene degradation (48.81%) and scavenging activity against DPPH (64.40%) and superoxide (43.78%) radicals were exhibited by the raw samples. Further, 83.11% of α-amylase and 62.79% of α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition characteristics under in vitro starch digestion bioassay were also recorded. Sprouting + oil-frying caused an apparent increase on the total free phenolic content and a significant improvement in the antioxidant and free radical scavenging capacity of methanolic extract of C. hirsuta seeds, while soaking + cooking as well as open-pan roasting treatments showed diminishing effects. The analysis of the phenolic profile revealed the presence of gallic acid, p-coumaric acid and (+)-catechin in the methanolic extract of these seeds.

Antioxidant Potential and Type II Diabetes-Related Enzyme Inhibition of Cassia obtusifolia L.: Effect of Indigenous Processing Methods

The methanolic extract of Cassia obtusifolia L. (Sicklepod) seed, an underutilized food legume from India, was analyzed for antioxidant and health relevant functionality. The total free phenolic content of the raw seeds was 13.33 ± 1.73 g catechin equivalent/100 g extract. The extract exhibited 1,292 mmol Fe[II] per milligram extract of ferric reducing/antioxidant power, 49.92% inhibition of s-carotene degradation, 65.79% of scavenging activity against DPPH, and 50.78% of superoxide radicals. The in vitro starch digestion bioassay of the extract showed 79.80% of α-amylase and 81.04% of α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition characteristics. Sprouting + oil frying caused an apparent increase on the total free phenolic content with significant improvement on the antioxidant and free radical scavenging capacity of C. obtusifolia seeds, while soaking + cooking as well as open-pan roasting treatments show diminishing effects. Inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme activity was 23.81% and 42.36%, respectively, following sprouting + oil-frying treatment. These enzyme inhibition values were similar to that of synthetic antidiabetic agent acarbose.

Staling of Cereal Bran Enriched Cakes and the Effect of an Endoxylanase Enzyme on the Physicochemical and Sensorial Characteristics

The staling of cakes enriched with untreated brans and endoxylanase-treated brans was evaluated by monitoring the changes in physicochemical, thermal, and sensorial properties of cakes during 7-d storage. Oat and rice bran were treated with different levels (0, 70, and 700 ppm) of an endoxylanase enzyme and added to cakes on 30% flour weight basis. Moisture losses, water activity, crumb firmness, starch retrogradation, and sensorial characteristics were used as staling indicators. Avrami-type equations were efficiently used for modeling the starch retrogradation kinetics, while linear models most adequately described crumb firming kinetics. Cake staling induced an increase in crumb firmness and enthalpy of amylopectin retrogradation, and a decrease in crumb moisture and sensory quality and acceptability scores of cakes. Oat bran-containing cakes better maintained their characteristics compared to the ones containing rice bran along the 7-d storage. Endoxylanase treatment of brans delayed the changes naturally induced during staling in crumb moisture content, amylopectin retrogradation enthalpy, and crumb firmness in the respective cakes. Deterioration of the sensorial characteristics was slower for the cakes containing endoxylanase-treated brans, as well. The level of endoxylanase treatment did not differentiate significantly (P < 0.05) any of the staling indicators. Overall, this study demonstrated that addition of endoxylanase-treated brans can result in cakes with improved nutritional characteristics and increased shelf life. The results of the study show the potential of using enzymes to modify underutilized food sources that can be properly incorporated in baked goods, improving their nutritional value, their quality characteristics, and providing longer shelf life. The developed procedure and results can be utilized by the bakery industry to make high fiber and low cost bakery products with improved sensorial characteristics that are appealing to the consumers.

Preparation and mechanical properties of rice bran protein composite films containing gelatin or red algae

Edible films have been applied to food packaging. To examine a new edible film source from underutilized food processing byproducts, rice bran protein (RBP) was isolated from rice bran oil residues and the RBP films were prepared. The suitable plasticizer for the preparation of the RBP film was fructose, and the tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break of the RBP film were 0.94 MPa and 25.54%, respectively. Therefore, to improve the poor mechanical properties of the RBP film, red algae or gelatin was added to the film-forming solution for preparing a composite film. Among the RBP composite films, the 4% RBP/4% gelatin composite film was the most desirable with regard to the physical property of films, having the highest TS of 28.42 MPa. These results suggest that the RBP/gelatin blend film can be applicable in food packaging.

Total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and type II diabetes related functionality of traditionally processed ox-eye bean [Mucuna gigantea (Willd) DC.] seeds: An Indian underutilized food legume

The methanolic extract of ox-eye bean [Mucuna gigantea (Willd) DC.] contained total free phenolic content of 14.80±1.28 g catechin equivalent/100 g extract dry matter. Encouraging levels of ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP, 1,023 mmol Fe[II]/mg extract), inhibition of β-carotene degradation (59.35%) and radical scavenging activity against DPPH (72.12%) and superoxide (43.11%) were exhibited by the raw samples. Further, it also recorded 82.17% of α-amylase and 91.26% of α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition characteristics. Sprouting+oil-frying caused a apparent increase on the total free phenolic content and also significant improvement on the antioxidant and free radical scavenging capacity of methanolic extract, while soaking+cooking as well as open-pan roasting treatments showed diminishing effects. Moreover, inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme activities was declined to 22.82 and 45.47%, respectively during sprouting+oilfrying treatment, which are more desirable for the dietary management of type II diabetic patients.

Integrated gene resource management of underutilized legumes in India

The Indian gene centre possesses a rich legume biodiversity––1,152 species comprising cultivated, underutilized edible and forage legumes. Majority of the underutilized food legumes are widely distributed as wild species in various agro-ecological regions of peninsular India. Indian legume species (62%) contribute to the food and health security of ethnic communities. A total of 66,546 accessions of legume gene resources including underutilized species are conserved in the National Gene Bank. Collection, characterization and conservation efforts regarding the diversity of these beans are described. The importance of genetic variation in legumes and their wild relatives as a source of desirable resistance to pests and diseases in a changing climate scenario is discussed. Information on legumes used in Indian and modern systems of medicine and ethno-botany as well as the scope for bio-prospecting are presented. Advanced biotechnological applications in legume research for sustainable utilization of these resources are highlighted. An integrated gene resource management strategy to combat malnutrition, identify gene resources for legume improvement and enhance their value as traditional food and medicine is described.