Phenotypic Variability of Morphological and Nutritional Parameters of Pepper (Capsicum Spp) Accessions in the Derived Savanna Agro-Ecology of Nigeria

Variability studies on newly collected accessions and identification of superior genotypes enhances their suitability for breeding programmes. This study was aimed to estimate variation and assess the mean performance of pepper accessions collected across Nigeria. The study evaluated eighteen pepper genotypes and the experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Analysis of variance showed significant (P < 0.01) differences among accessions for all measured, except for number of fruits per plant. Correlation coefficients ranged from -0.27 to 0.84 and the strongest relationship was observed between stem colour and fruit length (r = 0.84, P < 0.001). Strong significant (P < 0.001) correlations between several traits were observed and fruit yield was either positively or negatively associated with other traits. Results from principal component analysis showed that the first six principal components accounted for 86 % of the total variability among the accessions. Cluster analysis differentiated the accessions and formed three distinct groups which were not in accordance with their source of collection. Accession NHPP-0144 combined high fruit yield with other desirable agronomic traits. Other promising accessions were NHPP-0137, NHPP 0319, NHPP-0332 and NHPP-0334 which possess favourable genes for yield potential and quality traits, a basis for future selection in pepper breeding programmes

Phenotypic Variability of Morphological and Nutritional Parameters of Pepper (Capsicum Spp) Accessions in the Derived Savanna Agro-Ecology of Nigeria

Variability studies on newly collected accessions and identification of superior genotypes enhances their suitability for breeding programmes. This study was aimed to estimate variation and assess the mean performance of pepper accessions collected across Nigeria. The study evaluated eighteen pepper genotypes and the experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Analysis of variance showed significant (P < 0.01) differences among accessions for all measured, except for number of fruits per plant. Correlation coefficients ranged from -0.27 to 0.84 and the strongest relationship was observed between stem colour and fruit length (r = 0.84, P < 0.001). Strong significant (P < 0.001) correlations between several traits were observed and fruit yield was either positively or negatively associated with other traits. Results from principal component analysis showed that the first six principal components accounted for 86 % of the total variability among the accessions. Cluster analysis differentiated the accessions and formed three distinct groups which were not in accordance with their source of collection. Accession NHPP-0144 combined high fruit yield with other desirable agronomic traits. Other promising accessions were NHPP-0137, NHPP 0319, NHPP-0332 and NHPP-0334 which possess favourable genes for yield potential and quality traits, a basis for future selection in pepper breeding programmes

Effect of Cocoa Powder, Banana Pulp and Bambara Nut Inclusion on Nutritional and Sensory Acceptability of Yoghurt

This study was to investigate the effect of utilizing milk powder with addition of Cocoa powder, Banana pulp and Bambara nut extract for the production of functional yoghurt. The yoghurt samples were produced by 10% inclusion of each of the food item into reconstituted skimmed milk powder, inoculated with starter culture (streptococcus.thermophilus and Lactobacillus. Bulgaricus) and allowed to ferment for 9hr. The nutritional properties (Proximate, Brix, PH, Flavonoid, Vitamin C, antioxidant activity) and sensory characteristics (colour, taste, aroma and over all acceptability) were determined. Significant differences (p&lt;0.05) existed among the nutritional and sensory properties of the yogurts. The results showed that the inclusion of used food items improves the Protein, Ash and Energy content of the products. The sample with Cocoa powder had the highest antioxidant activity (2.75mg/100g) which is significantly higher at (p&lt;0.05) than Banana pulp (2.64mg/100), Bambara nut extract (2.44mg/10g) and control (2.25mg/100g) which was the least. The sample with Banana pulp inclusion has highest score (5.70) for taste and overall-acceptability (5.90) using 7-point score ranking and was the most preferred. The microbial load of all the samples were within the limits specified of acceptable counts, making the products safe for consumption as at the time the products were evaluated

Nutritional Characteristics of Four Underutilized Edible Wild Fruits of Dietary Interest in Ghana

Malnutrition has been a serious issue in Ghana and Africa as a whole. However, the potential of many indigenous fruits to combat it has not yet been tested. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the nutritional characteristics of four underutilized wild fruits (Gardenia erubescens, Sclerocarya birrea, Diospyros mespiliformis, and Balanites aegyptiaca) of dietary interest in Ghana. The nutritional and antinutritional characteristics of the fruits were analyzed according to standard methods (laid down by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists and other well-known researchers) on a dry weight (dw) basis. The nutritional value of the fruits was high enough to contribute to the nutrient requirements of humans, with their iron (0.34&#8211;1.46 mg/100 g), zinc (0.81&#8211;2.97 mg/100 g), vitamin A (0.84&#8211;2.03 mg/100 g), and &#946;-carotene (64.84&#8211;176.89 mg/100 g) contents worth special mention. The antinutrient content also ranged between 0.06&#8211;1.82 mg/g. Therefore, it is evident from the study that the fruits, although containing some levels of antinutrients, are nutrient-dense, suggesting their potency in fighting malnutrition in humans

Food Systems, Value Chains and Covid-19 Pandemic: a Review of Current Situation in Low and Middle Income Countries

Background: The food value chain is very important in driving the economy of every country. It ensures food availability by deploying the science, technology and expertise needed for crop production, food processing, storage and distribution. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic no doubt had unprecedented short-and long-term impact on the food value chain. The literature is characterised by a gap on how to deal with the impact of COVID-19 outbreak especially in low- and middle-income countries.Methods: This article reviewed the impact of the pandemic on selected food value chains such as staple cereals and livestock. Measures on how best to respond to the COVID-19 impact on food value chains, and the importance of developing the food value chains were discussed.Results: Systematic literature review highlights the abrupt impact of the pandemic on food value chains and reveals several challenges which include loss of earnings, restricted movements, panic buying, shift in eating patterns, depression and quarantines. The review also showed that within the supply chains, there was food availability at the onset of the outbreak but this depreciated over time due to panic buying and lockdown measures. Panic buying resulted in an increase in demand, upsurge in food prices and possibly, reduced purchase in the future, while unavailability of agricultural labour, transport delays and cancellations hampered food access.Conclusion: Well organized and coordinated effort is required to establish long term measures that will contain the virus, recover the economy, as well as restore food production and access to food post pandemic

Inventory on the dietary assessment tools available and needed in Africa : a prerequisite for setting up a common methodological research infrastructure for nutritional surveillance, research, and prevention of diet-related non-communicable diseases

Objective: To carry out an inventory on the availability, challenges, and needs of dietary assessment (DA) methods in Africa as a pre-requisite to provide evidence, and set directions (strategies) for implementing common dietary methods and support web-research infrastructure across countries. Methods: The inventory was performed within the framework of the " Africa's Study on Physical Activity and Dietary Assessment Methods" (AS-PADAM) project. It involves international institutional and African networks. An inventory questionnaire was developed and disseminated through the networks. Eighteen countries responded to the dietary inventory questionnaire. Results: Various DA tools were reported in Africa; 24-Hour Dietary Recall and Food Frequency Questionnaire were the most commonly used tools. Few tools were validated and tested for reliability. Face-to-face interview was the common method of administration. No computerized software or other new (web) technologies were reported. No tools were standardized across countries. Conclusions: The lack of comparable DA methods across represented countries is a major obstacle to implement comprehensive and joint nutrition-related programmes for surveillance, programme evaluation, research, and prevention. There is a need to develop new or adapt existing DA methods across countries by employing related research infrastructure that has been validated and standardized in other settings, with the view to standardizing methods for wider use.Peer reviewe

Inventory on the dietary assessment tools available and needed in africa: a prerequisite for setting up a common methodological research infrastructure for nutritional surveillance, research, and prevention of diet-related non-communicable diseases

<p><i>Objective:</i> To carry out an inventory on the availability, challenges, and needs of dietary assessment (DA) methods in Africa as a pre-requisite to provide evidence, and set directions (strategies) for implementing common dietary methods and support web-research infrastructure across countries. <i>Methods:</i> The inventory was performed within the framework of the “Africa's Study on Physical Activity and Dietary Assessment Methods” (AS-PADAM) project. It involves international institutional and African networks. An inventory questionnaire was developed and disseminated through the networks. Eighteen countries responded to the dietary inventory questionnaire. <i>Results:</i> Various DA tools were reported in Africa; 24-Hour Dietary Recall and Food Frequency Questionnaire were the most commonly used tools. Few tools were validated and tested for reliability. Face-to-face interview was the common method of administration. No computerized software or other new (web) technologies were reported. No tools were standardized across countries. <i>Conclusions:</i> The lack of comparable DA methods across represented countries is a major obstacle to implement comprehensive and joint nutrition-related programmes for surveillance, programme evaluation, research, and prevention. There is a need to develop new or adapt existing DA methods across countries by employing related research infrastructure that has been validated and standardized in other settings, with the view to standardizing methods for wider use.</p