RSS 1.0African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development
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The African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AJFAND) is a peer reviewed scholarly journal. The journal is envisaged to enable dissemination and sharing of food and nutrition information issues on the continent. It taps social science, biochemical, food and nutrition related research and information. It also addresses issues related to agriculture, food security, and nutrition that affect Africa's development and people's livelihoods. It targets and is intended to serve the research and intellectual community; African and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs); African and development oriented bilateral and multilateral agencies; and African public institutions working towards solving food and nutrition problems through sound policies, and addressing issues that affect the African continent. AJFAND is open to both African and non-African contributors. Besides academic research, the journal provides an avenue for sharing information on national-level food and nutrition programs. QUALITY remains the driver of our efforts and not QUANTITY. The journal carries out a major mentoring and capacity building role for budding African scholars, and also gives visibility to African scholars in general by highlighting and sharing their work internationally.
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The Globethics library contains articles of African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development as of vol. 1(2001) to current.
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Soybean pestsNo Abstract.
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Agronomy in African smallholder systemsNo Abstract.
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Soybean varieties in sub-Saharan AfricaNo Abstract.
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Soybean Breeding in AfricaNo Abstract.
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The African Plant Breeders of TomorrowNo Abstract.
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Soybean costs of productionNo Abstract.
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SoilsNo Abstract.
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Soybean diseases: Unique situations in AfricaNo Abstract.
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Soybean varieties in sub-Saharan AfricaNo Abstract.
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Nutrients and antinutrients composition of raw, cooked and sun-dried sweet potato leavesTraditional indigenous vegetables are the most economically efficient source of micronutrients in terms of both land required and production costs per unit. Promotion of production and consumption of such micronutrient-rich foods will improve intakes, the overall diet, and health status. This study aimed to determine nutrient (iron, calcium, vitamin A and ascorbic acid) and anti-nutrient (oxalates and polyphenols) contents in raw, cooked and dried sweet potato leaves Two varieties of sweet potatoes, which were identified as commonly grown for leaves consumption were analyzed at Department of Food Technology, Sokoine University of Agriculture and at the Government Chief Chemist Laboratory Tanzania. The analysis included proximate, nutrient (ascorbic acid, carotenoids, iron and calcium) and anti-nutrient (oxalate and polyphenols) composition. The purple midrib sweet potato leaves were further analyzed for nutrient and anti-nutrient retention after cooking (with and without lemon) and open sun-drying (with and without salting). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the two varieties in crude protein, crude lipid and moisture content. The purple midrib sweet potato leaves had significantly (P<0.05) higher ash, crude fibre, carotenoids, calcium and iron contents while the green midrib sweet potato leaves had significantly (P<0.05) higher ascorbic acid content. The polyphenols were about 4 times higher in the purple midrib sweet potato leaves (22.16%) as compared to that of the green ones (5.28%), which had significantly higher oxalate levels (3730 mg/100g). Drying with salt and cooking with lemon reduced polyphenols significantly (p<0.05), with retention of 42% and 56% respectively; while cooking with lemon lowered significantly the oxalate levels. The traditional methods of cooking SPL with addition of lemon is advantageous because it reduces polyphenols while retaining higher levels of minerals, β carotene and vitamin C. Drying with salt results in a nutritionally and organoleptically good product, hence, drying with salt and cooking with addition of lemon is encouraged. Since the sweet potato leaves are harvested more than once before the plant is uprooted, further studies are recommended to assess whether there is variation in nutrient and anti-nutrient contents in consecutive harvests.Key words: Sweet potato leaves, nutrients, antinutrients
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Soybean yield in AfricaNo Abstract.
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Use and understanding of nutrition labels among consumers in Lilongwe (Malawi)This study investigated use and understanding of nutrition labels on food packages among urban and rural consumers in Lilongwe (Malawi). It also examined the effect of socio-demographic factors and nutrition knowledge on use of nutrition labels. The study surveyed 206 consumers, approached randomly after they checked out at grocery stores. Shop managers and owners gave their consent to conduct the study outside the shops to avoid affecting customer behaviour and revenues. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data for analysis and interpretation. The questionnaire was formulated based on questionnaires validated and used reliably in previous studies. The findings show that self-reported use and understanding of nutrition labels were low, suggesting much lower use and comprehension in real-life retail environments. Urban consumers were more likely to read nutrition panels when purchasing food than rural consumers (χ2=44.058, df=1, p=0.000). Similarly, educated (χ2=68.681, df=3, p=0.000) and female consumers (χ2=8.915, df=1, p=0.003) were more inclined to consult nutrition labels than the other consumers. Nutrition labels were seen as important, particularly when purchasing a product for the first time and when considering buying certain products. All label users (n=60) were interested in information about fat, salt, sugar, vitamins and minerals. Besides nutrition information, prices and taste were important considerations in consumers’ food choices. In terms of nutrition knowledge, rural consumers were as knowledgeable (μ=9.55) as urban consumers (μ=9.99), but they were less likely to connect their knowledge to emerging non-communicable diseases, such as cancer and coronary heart disease, than were urban consumers. Despite these findings, the study had some limitations. For example, the researchers surveyed a small sample of shoppers drawn from one geographical area. As such, the findings obtained are suggestive rather than conclusive. Objective, cross-sectional and longitudinal investigations in future would improve our understanding of actual consumer behaviour in retail shops, and homes in Malawi. Conversely, this study is the first of its kind in Malawi. Therefore, it provides baseline information useful to the healthcare professionals, the government, the food industry and consumers.Key words: Nutrition, Labels, Consumers, Foods, Malawi
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Assessment of organochlorine pesticides residues in fish sold in Abidjan markets and fishing sites.This study aimed to investigate the organochlorine pesticide residues in fish sold in markets and fishing sites in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Pesticides are not only used in agriculture but also in public health for the prevention of malaria. However, pesticide residues may be found in foodstuffs. Contamination of foods by pesticides can give rise to carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic effects. Pesticides are also accountable for toxic effects on the nervous, immune, reproductive, renal, hepatic and hematopoietic systems. For the present study, one hundred fish specimens representing five fish species collected from markets and fishing sites were analyzed. Analyses were performed with the help of a Gas Chromatograph (GC), brand Agilent Instruments 6890N equipped with two micro-electrons capture detectors (μECD), two Zebron capillary columns (ZB-5MS and ZB-1701P; 30 m x 0.25 mm x 0.25 μm), an automatic injector and monitored by a microcomputer equipped with the ChemStationplus software version 2002. The injection was done in Splitless mode and Nitrogen N50 was used as vector gas. Of the 16 organochlorine pesticides considered in this study, 11 were present in the samples analyzed, at various concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 14.4 μg.kg-1 of fresh product. Samples were mostly contaminated by Dichloro Diphenyl Dichloroethane (DDD). The catfish, with a total average concentration (27.2 μg.kg-1 of fresh product) was the most contaminated species. Heads (27.8 μg.kg-1 of fresh product) and viscera (17.5 μg.kg-1 of fresh product) were, respectively the most contaminated parts of the fish species analyzed. The fishing port of Vridi was the most contaminated site. The species collected on this site presented a total average concentration of 24.4 μg.kg-1 of fresh product. The comparison of total concentration mean of organochlorine pesticides in species collected, with the maximum residue limits (MRL) set for the fishery products, suggests that health risks faced by populations in Abidjan through fish consumption are currently low.Key words: Organochlorine pesticides, GC, Fish, Consumption
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Comparative analysis of the proximate compositions of Tarpon atlanticus and Clarias gariepinus from culture systems in South -Western NigeriaThe comparative analysis of the proximate compositions of Tarpon atlanticus (megalops) and Clarias gariepinus (African catfish) collected from two culture systems (Pen and concrete pond) were examined. Parameters of proximate composition analysed were moisture, ash, protein, fibre, fat and carbohydrate from the head and tail region. Proximate composition comparison was also done with varioussizes of the two species of fish which are the juvenile, young adult and adult forms. The total length and weight of juvenile ranged from 24.5 - 26.5cm, 178.3 - 180g and 25.2 - 27.4cm, 177.6 -179.5g for T. atlanticus and C. gariepinus, respectively. For the young adult, the total length and weight ranged from 27.0 - 28.5cm, 212.0 - 220.1g and 26.9 - 29.4cm, 214.2 - 221.3g for T. atlanticus and C. gariepinus, respectively. For the adults, the total length and weight ranged from 40.20 - 42.10cm, 783 - 800g and 39.9 - 44.5cm, 785 - 805g for T. atlanticus and C. gariepinus, respectively. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed no significant difference (P<0.05) between the moisture content of T. atlanticus and C. gariepinus in the adult head although there was a significant difference (P<0.01) between the ash of T. atlanticus and C. gariepinus in the adult tail. There was no significant difference (P<0.05) between the protein of T. atlanticus and C. gariepinus in the young adult tail but there was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the fibre of T. atlanticus and C. gariepinus inthe juvenile tail. There was a significant difference (p<0.01) between the fat and oil of T. atlanticus and C. gariepinus. Ash content was highest in the adult head of T.atlanticus and lowest in the adult tail of C. gariepinus. Protein was at its highest in the young adult tail of C. gariepinus and lowest in the juvenile head of T. atlanticus. The low concentration of lipids in the muscles of these species could be due to poor storage mechanisms and the use of fat reserves during spawning activities. Generally the two species contain high protein content as found out in this study. The high tissue protein content may have resulted from high protein content of their diets. Thus, both fish species constitute a high source of protein and low fatty acids, as well as an ideal dietetic fish food for human consumption.
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Utilising agricultural waste to enhance food security and conserve the environmentDue to the increase in the world’s population and most of it moving to urban cities, there is increased demand for food, and this has resulted in the production of large amounts of agricultural wastes, both at farmer, municipality and city levels. The bulk of the agricultural food in developing countries is transported to cities in its raw form, thus compounding the net effect on large deposits of waste in urban markets, around homes and in slums as well as in various dumping grounds. In Kampala alone, over1000mt of waste accumulate in the city and only about 30% of it is collected by City Council leaving the rest to rot and pollute the environment. Although it is recognized that the accumulation of waste has enormous ill effects on humans and the environment, such wastes if properly managed could be considered a big bio-resource for enhancing food security in the smallholder farming communities that would notafford use of expensive inorganic fertilizers. These organic wastes contain high levels of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium and organic matter important for improving nutrient status of soils in urban agriculture. Various factors amplify the agricultural waste problem, especially in developing countries where there are limited facilities for recycling waste. A lot of the nutrients are leached from the damp fills and end up polluting rivers and water bodies, which have been associated with invasion of waterweeds. Most importantly, there is lack of planning, weak public awareness, weak government policy and laws, and lack of or insufficient utilization of resources. In Kampala many small holder farmers have improved milk production by feeding various combination of agricultural wastes and others have increased nutrient supply in soils by applying organic compost leading to improved crop yields, especially vegetables, maize which fetch high prices for the farmers thus reducing poverty levels and enhancing food security of these farmers . This alternate method of removal ofthese wastes for agricultural production by farmers has also reduced the rate of accumulation with subsequent reduction on environmental pollution thus improving on environmental health. This paper briefly reviews how agricultural wastes can be used to enhance food security and conserve the environment.
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Food safety and quality management in Kenya: An overview of the roles played by various stakeholdersThis review focuses on highlighting the roles played by some stakeholders to ascertain food safety and quality from the farm to the fork in Kenya and the legislations under which they operate. Necessary recommendations to strengthen the weak links along the food supply chain have also been made. Food is considered to be safe if there is reasonable demonstrated certainty that no harm will result from its consumption under anticipated conditions of use. In Kenya, the responsibility for coordinating the multiple institutions (agencies) involved in food safety management rests on the Department of Public Health (DPH) under the Ministry of Public Healthand Sanitation. The basic Kenyan laws for food safety enforced by DPH include the Food, Drugs and Substances Act, Chapter 254, the Public Health Act, Chapter 242 and the Meat Control Act, Chapter 316. Food-borne diseases are still a major problem in Kenya because of the enormous informal sector in the food industry accounting for at least 80% of the supply to the domestic markets where hygiene controls arerudimentary. Most Kenyan standards are adopted from international ones, such as International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). In the food supply chain, farmers have to apply Good Agricultural Practices, sellers of commodities/raw materials at local or international level have to apply Good Distribution Practices, and manufacturers have to apply Good Manufacturing Practices. Food supply chain operators have to apply either national (mandatory) standards or private (voluntary) standards. Chain supporters provide the necessary impetus while chain enablers provide the control and/or regulation. Kenya Bureau of Standards is the major chain enabler. It is the NationalCodex Contact Point, serves as the secretariat of the National Codex Committee, and is the National Enquiry Point of the WTO. Despite the existing legal framework for food safety and quality controls, some processed food products in the Kenyan market are of sub-standard quality. The informal sector must be keenly monitored by the food safety agencies to uphold the application of HACCP and fair trade since it is the major supplier of food products to the domestic markets. Safety and qualitymanagement in the food supply chain has cost implications and income is a limiting factor for all the stakeholders and the success of food safety management system. Poverty alleviation would stimulate the purchasing power of domestic consumers, consequently promoting hygiene-based demand instead of price-based demand for food.
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Impact of price and total expenditure on food demand in South-Western NigeriaThis study examined the impact of price and total expenditure on food demand in Edo, Delta and Lagos states of Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to collect cross-sectional data from eight hundred and twelve (812) households for the study. Both descriptive statistics and the Linear Approximate Almost Ideal Demand System (LA/AIDS) model as inferential statistics were used to estimate the responsiveness of demand for food to changes in prices, expenditures and incomes. The study found out that the majority of the household heads were young male, withsmall (1-5 members) to medium (6-10 members) family size and lived in urban centers. Though rice constituted the largest share of the household total food expenditure, in both rural and urban centres, income did not have much weight in its consumption, with less substitutability in response to changes in own-price and has changed from being a luxury to being a necessity. While the low-income and rural households spent more of their income on food, the share of rice and yam in the household’s budgets was higher at higher income levels while that of cassava, a less expensive source of calories, was lower among the high income and relativelyaffluent urban households. The budget share of meat and fish, a more expensive source of calories, being mainly protein sources, was higher among the low-income and less affluent households in the urban centres. The result of the LA/AIDS showed that, in terms of own-price elasticity, the compensated own-price elasticity for rice (-1.0659) was the most elastic, followed by garri (-0.9655), yam (-0.5792), other cereals (-0.5611), and meat/fish (-0.4440). Rice, garri and yam were the main Nigerian staples. The demand for these food items in Nigeria is not so much a matterof price, rather, it is a phenomenon linked with the ease of preparation, household characteristics and urban lifestyles. To meet with the present demand, Nigeria needs to increase the production of these food items.