Underutilized Species Research Articles

Cultivation, Phytochemistry, Health Claims, and Genetic Diversity of Sambucus nigra, a Versatile Plant with Many Beneficial Properties

Sambucus is a cosmopolitan plant genus that has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties and nutritional value. Sambucus nigra, the most studied species, contains a wide range of bioactive compounds that have been linked to various health benefits. Moreover, the fruit of the elderberry is a rich source of phytochemicals and is used to make a variety of food products. In this review, after an introduction of the species, we outline the main points for its cultivation and production. We then illustrate the major phytochemical components and related beneficial properties, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and pharmaceutical activities. We also provide insights into genetic variability, functional diversity, and some evolutionary relationships that were evaluated with DNA-based techniques. We discuss that despite its long history of use and potential benefits, Sambucus nigra has received relatively little attention in terms of horticulture, breeding, and molecular genetics, while studies on its biochemical composition and health benefits are well developed. Further research is also needed to better understand the pre-harvest and post-harvest factors that influence plant growth and production, as well as to explore new applications and industrial uses of this underutilized species.

Pickering Emulsion Stabilized by Fish Myofibrillar Proteins Modified with Tannic Acid, as Influenced by Different Drying Methods

A novel food-grade, particles-based Pickering emulsion (PE) was prepared from a marine source. Yellow stripe trevally is an under-utilized species. The use of its muscle protein as solid food-grade particles for the preparation of a Pickering emulsion can be a potential means of obtaining the natural nutritive emulsifier/stabilizer. Fish myofibrillar proteins (FMP) were modified with tannic acid (TA) at varying concentrations (0.125, 0.25, and 0.5%) followed by freeze-drying (FD) or spray-drying (SD). Physicochemical characteristics and emulsifying properties of obtained FMP-TA complexed particles were assessed for structural changes and oil-in-water emulsion stabilization. The addition of TA caused a reduction in surface hydrophobicity and total sulfhydryl content values for either FD-FMP or SD-FMP. Conversely, disulfide bond content was significantly increased, particularly when TA at 0.5% was used (p < 0.05). FTIR, spectrofluorometer, and the protein pattern also confirmed the cross-linking between FMP and TA. SD-FMP modified with 0.5% TA (SD-FMP-0.5TA) rendered the highest emulsifying stability index but had a lowered emulsifying activity index (p < 0.05). Confocal microscopic images, droplet size, and rheological properties revealed that a SD-FMP-0.5TA-stabilized emulsion had higher stability after 45 days of storage than an FD-FMP-0.5TA-stabilized emulsion. Therefore, the SD-FMP-0.5TA complex could be used as a potential food-grade stabilizer/emulsifier for PE with enhanced emulsifying properties.

Review on Phytochemistry, Biology and Nano Formulations of Manilkara hexandra: An Update

• This review encompasses geographic distribution, characteristic phytochemical features and with special emphasis on traditional uses of Manilkara hexandra (Roxb.) Dubard belonging to the Sapotaceae family, as the plant has been used since ages in South Asia, particularly in Western and Central India. Botanical aspects of different parts of plant and their organoleptic characteristics, phytochemical work done so far along with their chemical structures, screening procedures, and methods of characterization of constituents present in the different plant part extracts were updated in the current review. • Ethno botany/traditional uses of plant part extracts due to the varied types of chemical constituents present in them were elaborated. The section covered the different processed forms of the plant and same were highlighted for possessing therapeutic utility in different regions/states of India for their usage by the local population residing over there since long time. In fact the multifarious benefits of crude plant parts and their processed conversions were tabulated to have an overview of traditional utility of M. hexandra in the current manuscript. • Biological properties and pharmacological actions along with their mechanism of actions wherever required were detailed with updated references under the mentioned headings and sub-headings in the current draft. Various activities including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, aphrodisiac, immune-stimulation, anti-arthritic and free radical scavenging were demonstrated as exhibited by different plant extracts by using suitable animal models. Inclusion of novel drug delivery system i.e. nanoparticle's formulations containing plant extract along with their method of preparation added by a note on their efficacy imparted novelty to the article. Manilkara hexandra (Roxb.) dubard is an evergreen tree species that belongs to the Sapotaceae family which has been used in traditional system of medicines since ages in South Asia, especially in Western and Central India. This review aims to include a thorough report on phytochemicals found in the various sections of the plant, which are responsible for their medicinal properties in turn. All the informations in this article were collating from selected research papers from online database such as PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus. An audit of its literature shows extracts from this plant and bio transformed products possess different activities such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, aphrodisiac, immuno-stimulation activity, arthritic activity, and free radical scavenging activity. Apart from therapeutic indications, the products obtained such as edible and nutritious fruit, valuable wood, latex, and bark, are cost effective and are a source of living for local people. The varieties of chemical compounds have been isolated from this species, including sterols, sugar, terpenoids, anthraquinone glycoside, cardiac glycoside, saponin and tannins, etc. Worldwide the large occurrence of this underutilized species offers an incentive to use this plant at crucial levels in the treatment of various ailments. This review attempts to systematically collate the scattered knowledge on M. hexandra , for its botanical elements, phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology, and biological activities, to assess the range of variation among natural populations in opening research areas, and to identify elite cultivars for popularization among farmers/tribal for conservation and sustainable use on conducting field improvement studies.

Bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, and mineral content of bróquil: A traditional crop of Brassica oleracea var. italica.

Brassicaceae edible plants are rich in bioactive compounds and promote health benefits. However, there is less interest in expanding knowledge about the Brassica cultivars to date. In particular, underutilized species and local cultivars could constitute a source of agrodiversity in adapting to the territory with likely higher contents of nutraceutical compounds. In this context, Bróquil (Brassica oleracea var. italica) is a traditional Brassicaceae crop grown in the Spanish region of Aragón. Currently, it is cultivated mainly in family orchards for autoconsumption and, in minority, in small farms for local markets. This study evaluates a collection of 13 bróquil landraces from the Spanish Vegetable Genebank of the Agrifood Research and Technology Center of Zaragoza (BGHZ-CITA), describing their mineral contents, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activities, including a broccoli commercial variety "Parthenon" as the control. The study reports data on the health-promoting nutrients and antioxidants of bróquil for the first time. Under our experimental conditions, we found that bróquil has a great variability for these compounds that showed on average similar or higher levels than the broccoli control. The different bróquil landraces also revealed variability in both intraccessions and interaccessions due to the lack of a formal breeding selection. Despite this variability, we highlight accession HB5 that corresponds to Headed Bróquil BGHZ6685. In particular, we can stand out its antioxidant activity of 87.07 ± 0.81%I, total phenolic content of 13.21 ± 0.53 mg GAE g-1 dw, total flavonoid content of 14.50 ± 1.29 mg QE g-1 dw, total glucosinolate content of 43.70 ± 1.09 mg SnE g-1 dw, and vitamin C content of 7.21 ± 0.13 mg AA g-1 dw. Regarding bróquil mineral composition, K was the highest macroelement (22.66-33.62 mg g-1 dw), followed by Ca, P, and S whose values were relatively lower compared to K. Mg and Na showed the lowest values. Among the microelements evaluated (Mn, Zn, and Fe), iron was the most abundant detected, higher in all bróquil accessions than in broccoli, except for one accession. Therefore, the results reported for bróquil landraces show promising nutritional quality. This could lead to an increase in agrobiodiversity and contribute to a more diversified and healthy diet.

Can common dietary assessment methods be better designed to capture the nutritional contribution of neglected, forest, and wild foods to diets?

Food systems are the primary cause of biodiversity loss globally. Biodiversity and specifically, the role that wild, forest and neglected and underutilised species (NUS) foods might play in diet quality is gaining increased attention. The narrow focus on producing affordable staples for dietary energy has contributed to largely homogenous and unhealthy diets. To date, evidence to quantify the nutritional contribution of these biodiverse foods is limited. A scoping review was conducted to document the methods used to quantify the contribution of wild, forest and NUS foods. We found 37 relevant articles from 22 different countries, mainly from Africa (45%), the Americas (19%), and Asia (10%). There were 114 different classifications used for the foods, 73% of these were specifically related to wild or forest foods. Most dietary assessments were completed using a single day qualitative or quantitative 24 h open recall (n = 23), or a food frequency questionnaire (n = 12). There were 18 different diet related indicators used, mainly nutrient adequacy (n = 9) and dietary diversity scores (n = 9). Often, no specific nutritionally validated diet metric was used. There were 16 studies that presented results (semi) quantitatively to measure the contribution of wild, forest or NUS foods to dietary intakes. Of these, 38% were aggregated together with broader classifications of 'traditional' or 'local' foods, without definitions provided meaning it was not possible to determine if or to what extend wild, forest of NUS foods were included (or not). In almost all studies there was insufficient detail on the magnitude of the associations between wild, forest or NUS foods and dietary energy or nutrient intakes or the (qualitative) diet recall methodologies that were used inhibited the quantification of the contribution of these foods to diets. A set of six recommendations are put forward to strengthen the evidence on the contribution of wild, NUS, and forest foods to human diets.

Commercialization of Pigeon Pea Production: Its Determinants and Constraints

Commercialization of neglected and underutilized species is a reasonable pathway to food security, employment growth, and reducing poverty. Pigeon pea is one of the underutilized crops with great economic value and health benefits. Despite its potential, pigeon pea is still a minor crop. This study, therefore, examined the level of pigeon pea commercialization, influencing factors of the commercialization of pigeon pea production and the constraints faced in its commercialization in Nigeria. The descriptive statistics, the household commercialization index, and the Tobit regression model were used to analyse primary data collected from 160 randomly selected pigeon pea farmers. The results showed that the mean household commercialization index was 29.2%, implying that the farmers still had a gap of a minimum of 45.8% to attain a high level of commercialization in pigeon pea production. The positive influencing factors for the commercialization of pigeon pea production were access to credit, farming experience, farm size, farm output, extension services, the use of farm machinery, and pesticides. The distance to the market had a negative influence on the commercialization of pigeon pea production. Farmers' major challenges in commercializing pigeon pea production included a lack of credit, insufficient extension contacts, a poor transportation system, pests and diseases, high production input costs, inadequate storage facilities, and insufficient access to timely market information. Therefore, this study recommends encouraging pigeon pea commercialization by the government and non-governmental organizations through the provision of farm credits, production inputs, a good transportation system, and an improved agricultural extension system.

Phenolic Profiles and Bioactivities of Ten Original Lineage Beans in Thailand.

Legumes and pulses are important food components with various phytochemicals and health benefits. However, the health-related bioactivities of some underutilized species remain uninvestigated. To breed a new bean lineage with particular health-related properties, this study investigated phenolics (specifically, isoflavones) and the in vitro inhibitory activities of the enzyme relevant to some non-communicable diseases in underutilized cultivars of Phaseolus lunatus (lima beans), compared to the commonly consumed P. vulgaris (red kidney bean) and beans in the Glycine and Vigna genera. The results indicated that soybeans in the Glycine genus contained the highest isoflavone contents, especially glycitein (1825-2633 mg/100 g bean) and daidzein (1153-6471 mg/100 g bean), leading to potentially higher enzyme inhibitory activities (25-26% inhibition against α-amylase, 54-60% inhibition against α-glucosidase, 42-46% inhibition against dipeptidyl peptidase IV, 12-19% inhibition against acetylcholinesterase and 20-23% inhibition against butyrylcholinesterase) than those from other genera. Interestingly, lima beans with low isoflavone content (up to 2 mg/100 g bean) still possessed high inhibitory activities against lipase (12-21% inhibition) and β-secretase (50-58% inhibition), suggesting that bioactive compounds other than the isoflavones might be responsible for these activities. Isoflavone contents and enzyme inhibitory activities in Vigna beans were diverse, depending on the particular cultivars. The information gained from this study can be used for further investigation of bioactive components and in-depth health properties, as well as for future breeding of a new lineage of bean with specific health potentials.

Catalyzing transformative futures in food and farming for global sustainability

This perspective article highlights the need for transformation in food and farming at three scales to promote a food system that meets UN Sustainable Development Goals. Food insecurity is still a persistent problem globally because of how food and farming sector is currently organized vs. how it should be organized if cultural traditions, environmental concerns, and nutritional needs of the world's growing population were foregrounded. The article argues that system-wide transformations are needed at different scales: landscape (macro), species (meso) and genes (micro). It suggests alternatives available for food and farming sector and identifies transformative pathways that are more sustainable in cultural, social and environmental terms. A better management of farming landscapes; diversification of the food system to include a wider range of species; and better use of neglected and underutilized species, varieties and cultivars of plants, and breeds of animals, in the food system can help to catalyze such a transformation. This can go a long way in promoting global sustainability by achieving three key UN Sustainable Development Goals: 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) and 15 (Life on Land).

Salicornia bigelovii, S. brachiata and S. herbacea: Their Nutritional Characteristics and an Evaluation of Their Potential as Salt Substitutes.

Excessive sodium (salt) intake in our diet is a main contributor to hypertension and a major risk factor for cardiovascular illnesses. As a result, research has made great efforts to develop salt alternatives, and Salicornia spp. offers a very high potential in the food industry for its promising functional characteristics. This review focuses on the nutritional profile, health effects and commercial potential of three specific species of the Salicornia genus: S. bigelovii, S. brachiata and S. herbacea. It also addresses the methods that are used to produce them as salt substitutes. Owing to the antinutritional and anti-inflammatory effects of its bioactive compounds, Salicornia spp. can serve as an organic biological preservative in foods with better consumer appeal when compared with chemical preservatives that are common in the food industry. Overall, the commercial use of these underutilized species will help to improve food security.

Smart Food for Future Sustainability: Halal and Tayyib Perspectives

“Worldwide Smart Food Industry to 2027 — Integrated Applications Play A Key Role in the Smart Farming Ecosystem”, headline used by Research and Markets on the 3rd of May 2022, enlightens the readers about the analysis of the food ecosystem and the role of technologies in lowering costs, increasing revenues, and optimizing overall value throughout the ecosystem. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (2020) reported that millets, sorghum, and grain legumes are incredibly nutrient-dense, climate-smart crops that give smallholder farmers the chance to make a decent livelihood. Future smart food (FSF) refers to neglected and underutilized species which are nutritionally rich, climate resilient, economically viable, and regionally adaptive (Li &amp; Siddique, 2018). In the face of climate change and water scarcity, it is critical to equip the agriculture sector with climate-resilient approaches and crops that can withstand more stressful environments in order to maintain food production, meet increasing demand, combat nutrition and health issues, and construct a sustainable livelihood for farmers (Kane-Potaka &amp; Kumar, 2019).

Chemical composition and nutraceutical characterization of Balanites roxburghii seed oil

Balanites roxburghii is an underutilized species native to India and known for its medicinal and nutritional properties. Seeds possess a high amount of oil, which could be a new source of edible oil. Here we report the compositional analysis of B. roxburghii seed oil (BRSO) and its variability among the South Indian populations. Oil content ranged from 43.2 % to 61.0 %. Oleic, linoleic, palmitic, and stearic were the major fatty acids, and their content varied greatly among the accessions. Carotenoid content was up to 22.6 mg/kg oil. α-Tocopherol ranged between 1.21 and 10.6 mg/100 g, whereas β and γ-tocopherols ranged between 0.89 and 4.98 mg/100 g. β-Sitosterol was the major phytosterol (52.5–147 mg/100 g), and squalene quantity was significant (up to 65.4 mg/100 g). BRSO has no cytotoxic effects on 3T3-L1 cell lines. Results suggest that the BRSO is a significant source of oil and nutraceuticals.

Strategies to Promote Sustainable Development: The Gendered Importance of Addressing Diminishing African Locust Bean (Parkia biglobosa) Resources in Northern Ghana’s Agro-Ecological Landscape

As the topic of gender and forests gains international attention through programs related to addressing the Sustainable Development Goals, we focus on a case study of the African Locust Bean (Parkia biglobosa) in the savannah landscape of northern Ghana. Although this tree holds high cultural significance for Dagomba women, it is unfortunately becoming scarcer in our study area near Tamale. We investigate the reasons for this decline in relation to the agricultural, ecological, and cultural landscape and discuss the gendered impacts of these changes. Research in these communities was conducted between 2018 and 2021 as part of a transdisciplinary action research approach to process underutilized species with women’s groups. The research started with a survey that included 27 women’s groups in 13 communities with 524 women participants. Out of a selected number of groups, our research team has worked more intensively with three women’s groups near Nyankpala, which selected for their processing focus the African Locust Bean, locally known as dawadawa. More than 45 group sessions were organized with seven groups in a collaborative learning process in 2019. Additionally, the three groups in Kpachi who chose to process the African Locust Bean sustained facilitation of group activities until the end of 2021. Specifically, on the topic of the decline of this tree, 19 semistructured interviews were conducted in August 2020 with 8 female farmers, 7 male farmers and 4 chiefs in the local governance system. Our results show the cultural significance of the African Locust Bean for women in the Dagomba culture as well as practical uses of all parts of the tree. Specifically, the seeds are used for making a fermented condiment and tea. Although seeds of the African Locust Bean are considered a women’s crop, their access to this tree is mediated by the local chiefs and often male land-users. Most farmers interviewed reported a reduction in trees in their fields. The reasons for the decrease can be summarized in six different categories, (1) aging tree populations, (2) challenge caring for saplings until maturity, (3) agricultural changes with increased mechanization and pesticide use, (4) over-use as a firewood resource, (5) usufruct rights between traditional chiefs, male land-owners, and women who should be granted access to the trees according to Dagomba cultural values, and (6) reduced water availability inhibits seed yield. In conclusion, there is an urgent need for action to protect and restore the African Locust Bean within northern Ghana’s savannah landscape to ensure continued access and benefits of the tree to women in the region.

Data-driven, participatory characterization of farmer varieties discloses teff breeding potential under current and future climates.

In smallholder farming systems, traditional farmer varieties of neglected and underutilized species (NUS) support the livelihoods of millions of growers and consumers. NUS combine cultural and agronomic value with local adaptation, and transdisciplinary methods are needed to fully evaluate their breeding potential. Here, we assembled and characterized the genetic diversity of a representative collection of 366 Ethiopian teff (Eragrostis tef) farmer varieties and breeding materials, describing their phylogenetic relations and local adaptation on the Ethiopian landscape. We phenotyped the collection for its agronomic performance, involving local teff farmers in a participatory variety evaluation. Our analyses revealed environmental patterns of teff genetic diversity and allowed us to identify 10 genetic clusters associated with climate variation and with uneven spatial distribution. A genome-wide association study was used to identify loci and candidate genes related to phenology, yield, local adaptation, and farmers' appreciation. The estimated teff genomic offset under climate change scenarios highlighted an area around lake Tana where teff cropping may be most vulnerable to climate change. Our results show that transdisciplinary approaches may efficiently propel untapped NUS farmer varieties into modern breeding to foster more resilient and sustainable cropping systems.

Nutritional Composition and In Vitro Antioxidant Activities of Seed Kernel and Seed Oil of Balanites roxburghii: An Underutilized Species

The seed kernel of Balanites roxburghii Planch., an underutilized species, yields a substantial amount of oil and has an impressive fatty acid profile. Both seed cake and seed oil have the potential to be rich nutritive sources. With this view, in the present study, nutritive profiling of seed kernel and seed oil including HPLC quantification of tocopherols and phytosterols has been done. Further, the total phenolic content and antioxidant activities of seed kernel and oil have also been analyzed. The seed kernel showed good proximate composition with 43.20% of oil and 10.96% of protein with a good amount of macro- and microelements. The seed oil possesses 5.36 mg/kg of carotenoids and 7.29, 1.79, and 0.72 mg/100 g of α, β + γ (together), and δ-tocopherols, respectively. The β-Sitosterol is the major phytosterol in the oil with 126.90 mg/100 g oil followed by stigmasterol and campesterol together (40.78 mg/100 g oil). It is also rich in squalene (17.45 mg/100 g oil). Oleic acid (56.38%), linoleic acid (18.77%), and palmitic acid (17.79%) were found to be the major fatty acids. Seed cake and seed oil possess significant antioxidant activities with 2.72 mg Gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g and 8.90 mg GAE/100 g total phenolic content, respectively. Even though seed kernels contain some amount of anti-nutritional factors, they can be minimized by practicing appropriate food processing techniques. Considering all these facts, such as availability, good quality oil, proteins, and elemental composition, seeds of B. roxburghii could be considered a reliable food source to increase the food base of people and to get a variety of nutrients.

​Effect of Inter and Sequential Cropping of Pulses in Little Millet (Panicum sumatranse L.) based Cropping System

Background: Small millets and pulses are world’s renowned crops for their nutritional significance. Being an underutilized species; rainfed farmers solely depend on them for their livelihood; which would be enhanced in a planned and efficient cropping system. The current study aimed to the identify suitable inter and sequential crops for rainfed little millet. Methods: In this study, four cropping patterns with two different row proportions for intercropping [viz., (4:1), (6:1)] were used with little millet as a main crop. The cropping systems include - little millet + pigeonpea [(4:1), (6:1)] followed by a sequential horsegram; little millet + pigeonpea followed by moth bean and little millet + lablab [(4:1), (6:1)] followed by Horsegram and little millet + lablab followed by mothbean. Result: Among them; a higher grain equivalent yield was observed in little millet + pigeonpea (6:1); followed by horsegram. However, higher dry matter, grain weight and higher individual crop yield was obtained in little millet + pigeonpea (6:1) followed by mothbean. Although individual mono cropping yields of these crops were higher; the pattern with little millet - pigeonpea (6:1) followed by horsegram could be recommended as a methodology to aid higher economic returns in shorter period.

Potential of breadfruit cultivation to contribute to climate-resilient low latitude food systems

The number of people in food crisis around the world is increasing, exacerbated by COVID-19, conflict, and climate change. Major crop yields are projected to decrease in low-latitude regions, making tropical and sub-tropical food systems particularly vulnerable. Increased cultivation of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis), a neglected and underutilized species (NUS), has the potential to enhance climate resilience and overall sustainability of low-latitude agricultural systems. To better understand breadfruit’s cultivation suitability and geographic range in current and future climates, we use breadfruit presence data collected from previous studies and a global citizen science database, and a selection of bioclimactic variables, to build an ensemble of 6 species distribution models that delineate the current climatically viable breadfruit range. We then assess the climatically viable future breadfruit range (2061–2080) under stabilization and high emission scenarios using an ensemble of 8 global circulation model (GCM) projections. The area of suitable breadfruit range within the global tropics and subtropics is projected to decrease ~4.4% in the stabilization scenario and ~4.5% in the high emission scenario. In Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, yield quality and consistency show minimal decreases under the high emission scenario, with increases in total suitable area under both. In contrast, in Latin America and the Caribbean, the current suitable breadfruit range is projected to contract ~10.1–11.5% (stabilization-high emission). Present and future model suitability outputs suggest opportunities to successfully expand breadfruit cultivation over the next decades in sub-Saharan Africa, where food insecurity is coincidentally high. However, in all regions, high emission scenario conditions reduce the overall consistency and quality of breadfruit yields compared to the stabilization scenario. Our results have the potential to inform global food security adaptation planning, highlighting breadfruit as an ideal NUS to incorporate in food security adaptation strategies.

Leveraging the potential of wild food for healthy, sustainable, and equitable local food systems: learning from a transformation lab in the Western Cape region

AbstractFood insecurity and diet-related diseases do not only have detrimental effects to human health, but are also underpinned by food systems that are environmentally unsustainable and culturally disconnected. Ensuring access to a healthy, affordable, and sustainable diet is one of the greatest challenges facing many low- and middle-income countries such as South Africa. These challenges in accessing a diverse diet often persist despite biocultural richness. For example, South Africa is globally recognised for its rich biodiversity, an ecologically unrivalled coastline, and a rich body of traditional knowledge amongst wild-food users. In this paper, we explore the potential that coastal wild foods as neglected and underutilised species (NUS) can play in local food systems in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. Following a previously established transformation lab (T-Lab) method, here we report the observations and outcomes emerging from a two-day workshop held in May 2019 with a group of 40 actors involved in the local food system in diverse ways. Farmers, small-scale fishers, indigenous knowledge holders, representatives from non-profit organisations, chefs, bartenders, academics, activists, conservationists, and government officials were brought together with the aim of strengthening an emerging coalition of coastal wild food actors. Findings highlighted the existence of a fledgling economy for coastal wild foods, driven by high-end chefs. The T-Lab was essentially a tool of knowledge co-production around food system transformation and helped to surface deeply embedded issues on land, race, history, and culture that warrant engagement if a better food system is to emerge. In a country that is drought prone and vulnerable to climate change, a more resilient and sustainable food system is a necessity. But defining alternative governance systems to shift towards a healthier, more sustainable, and more equitable food system will require concerted effort across all stakeholders.

Seven underutilized species of the Fabaceae family with high potential for industrial application as alternative sources of oil and lipophilic bioactive compounds

Fabaceae is the third largest family in the plant world, mainly considered a source of relatively valuable plant protein and a rather poor source of oil. The present study shows that several legume species (Bauhinia purpurea, Phanera vahlii, Butea monosperma, Caesalpinia crista, Gliricidia sepium, Mimosa pudica, Millettia pinnata) can be also considered as an alternative source of oil. The oil yield in studied species (19–36%) was similar or even higher than in soybean (Glycine max), the most known representant of the Fabaceae family. Palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids constitute 87–99% of detected fatty acids with predomination of unsaturated (62–82%). All obtained oils were rich sources of tocopherols (79–187 mg/100 g oil), mainly α (five species) and γ (two species) homologues. With the exception of M. pinnata, where Δ5-stigmasterol (25%) and α-amyrin (26%) were the main phytosterols, β-sitosterol, Δ5-stigmasterol and campesterol constituted 51–96% of total phytosterols with a predomination of β-sitosterol (36–64%). The total carotenoid and phytosterol contents in studied Fabaceae species were in the range 0.6–8.9 and 175–622 mg/100 g oil, respectively. The present study demonstrated that several legume seeds could be considered a valuable source of oil and lipophilic bioactive compounds.

Functional potential of yellow mombin (Spondias mombin L.) grape, fruit from a neglected and underutilized species

Consumption of plant foods, including fruits and vegetables, has been associated with a lower risk of some diseases. Besides food constituents, such as fibre or beta-carotene, other bioactive plant compounds such as polyphenols have been suggested to contribute to this protective effect. Yellow mombin (Spondias mombin L.) is a tropical fruit with increasing acceptance in both national and international fruit markets. However, it remains a neglected and underused species. Neglected and underutilized species (NUS), also known as minor crops or 'orphan' crops, can help solving some global issues, such as hunger, poverty and adaptation to climate change. In this review, we have highlighted the functional potential of the fruit of Spondias mombin. Particular emphasis has been placed on polytphenols, vitamins and minerals.

Functional potential of yellow mombin (Spondias mombin L.) grape, fruit from a neglected and underutilized species

Functional potential of yellow mombin (Spondias mombin L.) grape, fruit from a neglected and underutilized species