https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/353 2026-06-06T01:36:38Z https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/769 Stewardship of Wild and Farmed Edible Insects as Food and Feed in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Perspective Musundire, Robert; Ngonyama, Dianah; Chemura, Abel; Ngadze, Ruth Tambudzai; Jackson, Jose; Jekanyika Matanda, Margaret; Tarakini, Tawanda; Langton, Maud; Chiwona-Karltun, Linley Edible insects have gained popularity as alternative food resources in the face of climate change and increasing carbon and environmental footprints associated with conventional agricultural production. Among the positive attributes thatmake edible insects suitable as food and feed substrates include rapid reproduction, high energy conversion efficiency, wide distribution, diversity, reduced greenhouses gases and ammonia emissions, possibility to reduce waste and high nutritional composition. In Sub-Saharan Africa, considerable scientific data exist on use of insects as food and livestock feed. However, coherent policies regarding safety, sustainability, trade and regulation of insects as food and animal feed are lacking. The benefits associated with edible insects are likely to accrue in Sub-Saharan Africa through use of a combination of approaches such as ensured sustainable utilization of edible insects in the wild, preservation of traditional conservation, harvesting and consumption practices, development of captive mass production schemes and strengthening robust value chains to incentivise indigenous participants. Collectively these approaches are referred to as the steward and use of insects as food and animal feed. This paper examines the policy frameworks that exist to support the use of edible insects as food and feed on the African continent. This investigation employed a literature review focussing on national policies in selected African countries to assess the relevance to edible insects. Using a baseline of more than 10 edible insect species consumed, 10 country cases in Sub-Saharan Africa were used to support our in-depth examination of the policy situation that may support good stewardship of edible insects as food and feed. Focus on how policies encompassing biodiversity, natural resources, culture, education, research, technology development, trade, health and nutrition and how that could be improved to support inclusivity of edible insects is discussed. We conclude by proposing a pathway that may accelerate recognition and valorisation of edible insects as important food and feed resources in Sub-Saharan Africa including improving policies to support good stewardship of these resources for sustainability. 2021-02-21T00:00:00Z https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/695 Impact of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L.) and orange-fleshed sweet potato (Ipomoea Batatas L.) as sustainable functional ingredients on the nutritional and functional properties of an instant porridge Phiri, Caroline; Chawafambira, Armistice; Murefu, Tatenda Rumbidzai The world’s interest in the application of legumes and tubers as sustainable ingredients in food formulations is increasing. Bambara groundnuts (BGN) are a nutrient-rich, drought-resistant crop. The orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) holds significant promise in enhancing global human diets. The study aimed at incorporating OFSP and BGN flours at ratios: 100%BGN (control), 20%BGN:80%OFSP, 40%BGN:60%OFSP, 60%BGN:40%OFSP, 80%BGN:20%OFSP, and 100%OFSP (control) in developing a functional instant porridge premix. The effect of incorporating the two flours on nutritional value, functional properties and microbial safety, as well as sensorial profile of developed instant porridge were examined. The results showed a pasting temperature range of 77.07-85.00℃, peak viscosity of 4.67–5.61 min, bulk density of 0.69–0.88 g/mL, water absorption capacity of 43.5–19.6%, and swelling capacity of 50.0-62.2%, respectively. The nutritional value range was 4.45–6.88%, 84.9–88.7%, 1.11–1.73%, 2.69–4.43%, and 0.04-8.12 mg/g for moisture, carbohydrates, proteins, ash, and β-carotene, respectively. Porridge was a good source of Fe, Na, Mg, K, and Ca. Colour parameters were significantly different (p < 0.05). Coliforms were not detected and yeast and moulds (3.4–5.6 Log CFU/g) were within WHO specification (< Log 6 CFU/g). Instant porridge with 20% BGF:80% OFSP was most preferred sensorially, suggesting its potential for commercial application. Blending BGN and OFSP in food formulations represents an innovative synergy between lysine and β- carotene that could be used to develop nutraceuticals and functional foods, as well as potentially improving food and nutrition security. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/601 Relationship between cultural food taboos and maternal and child nutrition: A systematic literature review Dembedza, Vimbainashe Prisca; Mapara, Jacob; Chopera, Prosper; Macheka, Lesley Background: The escalating frequency and severity of climate extremes, such as floods and droughts, are projected to exacerbate the burden of malnutrition. This issue is particularly pronounced among vulnerable populations, including children under five years of age and pregnant women, wherein malnutrition may be further aggravated by the prevalence of culturally ingrained food taboos. While food taboos are often instituted with the intent of safeguarding the health of specific demographic groups, they may also restrict the impose restrictions on the consumption of essential nutrients, thereby impeding optimal growth and development. Aims: This study aimed to explore the relationship between culturally ingrained food taboos and the nutritional status of mothers and children. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted across a range of electronic databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Semantic Scholar. Following the removal of duplicate entries and the application of pre-defined inclusion criteria, a total of 45 articles were selected for comprehensive analysis. The methodological rigor of the included studies was appraised using the AMSTAR checklist. Results: The earliest article identified within this review was published in 1994. The majority of the studies were conducted in African countries (24), followed by Asia nations (15). Food taboos predominantly involved plant-based sources (13 articles), with animal-based food sources also frequently subject to prohibitions. Of the reviewed articles, 62.2% focused on women of childbearing age, while six articles specifically addressed children. Notably, only two studies incorporated anthropometric measurements to establish a direct association between food taboos and nutritional outcomes. Conclusion: Although scholarly inquiry into the intersection of food taboos and maternal and child nutrition has witnessed expansion in recent years, there remains a critical need for more exhaustive studies that employ anthropometric measurements to elucidate the impact of food taboos on nutritional status. Such research would yield more definitive insights into the effects of food taboos on nutritional well-being and inform the development of targeted interventions to address this issue 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.cut.ac.zw:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/586 A review of the effect of biofertilizers on productivity and aflatoxin production in groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea) Munyari, Tariro; Nleya, Nancy; Chitindingu, Kudakwashe; Ndemera, Melody Groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea) are an important crop globally but face a dual challenge of low productivity and aflatoxin contamination, threatening food security, farmer livelihoods, and public health. Conventional miti gation methods have proven inadequate, triggering the need for more efficient and sustainable methods. The review aimed to examine the effects of biofertilizer application on aflatoxin production levels in groundnuts and to assess its impact on groundnut yield and overall productivity. A structured search was conducted across several databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Connected Papers, using keywords such as ‘bio fertilizers,’ ‘aflatoxin,’ ‘groundnut productivity,’ and ‘sustainable agriculture’ and Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to refine the search results. Studies were included if they provided quantitative data on the impact of biofertilizers on groundnut yield or aflatoxin reduction, addressing the dual challenge of improving crop pro ductivity while reducing aflatoxin contamination. Reviewed studies indicated productivity gains ranging from 2.69 t/ha to 7.42 t/ha, alongside aflatoxin reductions of 56 %–100 % following biofertilizer application. The findings highlight that biofertilizers present a sustainable solution, simultaneously boosting crop productivity, enhancing soil health, and reducing aflatoxin contamination contributing to improved food security and safety. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z