Showing papers in "International Journal of Food Science and Technology in 2021"

A review of varietal change in roots, tubers and bananas: consumer preferences and other drivers of adoption and implications for breeding.

Abstract: This review of the literature on varietal change in sub-Saharan Africa looks in detail at adoption of new varieties of bananas in Uganda, cassava in Nigeria, potato in Kenya, sweetpotato in Uganda and yams in Cote d'Ivoire. The review explored three hypotheses about drivers of varietal change. There was a strong confirmation for the hypothesis that insufficient priority given to consumer-preferred traits by breeding programmes contributes to the limited uptake of modern varieties (MVs) and low varietal turnover. Lack of evidence meant the second hypothesis of insufficient attention to understanding and responding to gender differences in consumer preferences for quality and post-harvest traits was unresolved. The evidence on the third hypothesis about the informal seed system contributing to slow uptake of MVs was mixed. In some cases, the informal system has contributed to rapid uptake of MVs, but often it appears to be a barrier with inconsistent varietal naming a major challenge.

A review of root, tuber and banana crops in developing countries: past, present and future

Abstract: For many of the developing world's poorest farmers and food-insecure people, roots, tubers, bananas and plantain crops (RTBs) serve as a critical source of food, nutrition and cash income. RTBs have been particularly important in areas where local agri-food systems are under stress. Under such circumstances, growers, processors and traders often see opportunities to improve food security or increase their incomes with those crops due to shifting tastes and preferences for food and non-food products. Since the early 1990s, cassava output surged in sub-Saharan Africa, while potato production expanded rapidly in Asia. RTBs are consumed by over three billion people in developing countries with a market value of US$ 339 billion. This paper analyses the major changes in production, utilisation and trade of RTBs over the last six decades, assesses estimates of their future trajectory and offers recommendations so that they might achieve their full potential.

Efficacy of cassava starch blending with gelling agents and palm oil coating in improving egg shelf life

Abstract: An egg coating was developed to preserve the internal quality of eggs by mixing cassava starch (CS), gelling agents and fatty acids. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were used as gelling agents. Palm oil fatty acid (PO) was incorporated. Coated and non‐coated eggs were evaluated over a period of 4 weeks at 28 °C by the yolk colour, weight loss, albumen pH and Haugh unit testing. The quality of non‐coated eggs deteriorated from AA to B grade after 3 weeks, with values below the detection limit at 4 weeks. The optimum coating was 6/1/3 w/v% (CS/CMC/PO3). Contact angle, solubility and swelling in the water of the coating materials indicated the improvement of water resistance by addition of CMC and PO. Weight loss of the coated eggs was 4.9% lower than that of the non‐coated eggs (6.5%) after 4 weeks. The CS/CMC/PO3 emulsion coating significantly extended egg shelf life due to the high compatibility and water resistance of CMC as well as the hydrophobic property of PO.

Understanding cassava varietal preferences through pairwise ranking of gari-eba and fufu prepared by local farmer–processors

Abstract: Within communities in Osun and Imo States of Nigeria, farmer-processors grew and processed a diverse set of improved and landrace cassava varieties into the locally popular foods, gari, eba and fufu. Local and 15 main varieties were grown in a 'mother and baby trials' design in each state. Mother trials with three replications were processed by farmer-processors renown in their community for their processing skills. Baby trials were managed and processed by other farmer-processors. The objective was to identify food quality criteria to inform demand-led breeding to benefit users, especially women, given their key roles in processing. Farmer-processors evaluated the overall quality of fresh roots and derived food products through pairwise comparisons. Improved varieties had higher fresh and dry root yield. Overall, landraces ranked first for quality of gari and eba, but several improved varieties were also appreciated for good quality. Landraces in Osun had higher gari yield and a higher swelling power compared to improved varieties. Colour (browning), bulk density, swelling power, solubility and water absorption capacity were the criteria most related to food product ranking by farmer-processors. Evaluation of varieties under farmer-processors' conditions is crucial for providing guidance to breeders on critical selection criteria.

Characterisation of melanoidins derived from Brewers' spent grain: new insights into their structure and antioxidant activity

Abstract: Fil: Patrignani, Mariela. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernacion. Comision de Investigaciones Cientificas. Centro de Investigacion y Desarrollo en Criotecnologia de Alimentos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigacion y Desarrollo en Criotecnologia de Alimentos. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigacion y Desarrollo en Criotecnologia de Alimentos; Argentina

An interdisciplinary and participatory methodology to improve user acceptability of root, tuber and banana varieties.

Abstract: Breeding programmes for root, tuber and banana (RTB) crops have traditionally considered consumer demand for quality characteristics as low priority against other considerations such as yield and disease resistance. This has contributed to low levels of adoption of new varieties and its potential benefits. To address these challenges, an interdisciplinary five-step methodology was developed to identify demand for quality characteristics among diverse user groups along the food chain. The methodology includes an evidence review, consultations with key informants and rural communities, processing diagnosis with experienced processors and consumer testing in urban and rural areas. Quality characteristics are then prioritised into a Food Product Profile by user group to inform further work of biochemists and breeders in developing improved selection tools. This initiative presents a new basis to understand consumer preferences for RTB crops. The methodology is currently being applied in projects in sub-Saharan Africa and is applicable globally.

Foodborne Outbreaks of Microbial Infection from Fresh Produce in Europe And North America: A Systematic Review of Data from This Millennium

Abstract: This study focuses on foodborne outbreaks of microbial infection associated with fresh produce in Europe and North America from this millennium. A total of 277 outbreaks with 44,524 individual cases were identified. Foodborne pathogens associated with the most outbreak frequency include Cryptosporidium (20.5%) in Europe and Salmonella (52.2%) in North America although Norovirus (54.3%) and Salmonella (61.3%) were associated with the number of cases in Europe and North America respectively. Vegetables were the most implicated fresh produce category with outbreak frequencies of 34.1% in Europe and 47.4% in North America. Increased consumption of fresh produce in Europe and North America, as measures to improve diets correlates with the increased fresh produce related outbreaks of microbial infection. This systematic review suggests the need for more rapid methodologies for traceback investigations in order to determine trends and epicentres of foodborne infections related to fresh produce.