Evaluating essential micronutrient content, sensory acceptability & economic viability of formulated sesame (Sesamum indicum), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) & groundnut (Arachis hypogea) food blend

Food blending involving legumes and cereals that has been widely explored, however, there is a paucity of evidence of the use of ‘neglected crops’ such as sesame oil seed in complementing cereals and legumes to alleviate micronutrient deficiency. A completely randomised design involving food blends as treatments and a cross-sectional survey for sensory acceptability of food blends evaluation was done. Proximate macro- and micro-nutrient composition of substrates and food blend mixes was done using the Association of Analytical Chemists (AOAC) method. Calcium, iron, and zinc were determined by a flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer while potassium (K) was determined using a flame photometer. Sesame had significantly higher Ca (221.1mg/100g), K (149.1mg/100g), Fe (8.1mg/100g) and Zn (4.34mg/100g) compared to groundnuts. Food blends were formulated from sorghum, millet, sesame, and groundnuts. The food blend product had a significantly higher protein, fats, fibre, and micronutrient content compared to the control sample (Sorghum). Blend 5 yielded the best results in terms of K (83.56mg/100g), Ca (10.85mg/100g), Fe (8.79mg/100g) and Zn (0.79mg/100g) content as well as taste, flavour, and appearance although Zn content was relatively low. Sensory evaluation of the food blends showed that the taste, flavour, appearance, and texture were significantly different from the control sample. The blending of small grains with sesame significantly improves essential micronutrients especially Fe which met the WHO/FAO recommended dietary intake. Partial budget analysis shows that the rate of return was maximised by changing from Blend 4 to Blend 5 by 1164.7%. This study recommends the use of cheap, locally available sesame and millet to formulate food blends that can be used as complementary foods with high levels of micronutrients for children and adults.The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) through the RUFORUM Community Action Research Programme (CARP+) PLUS and the Field Attachment Programme Award (FAPA) from RUFORUM.https://www.thefutureoffoodjournal.com/index.php/FOFJhj2024Anthropology and ArchaeologySDG-02:Zero Hunge

Exploring food fortification potential of neglected legume and oil seed crops for improving food and nutrition security among smallholder farming communities : a systematic review

A systematic review of literature on value-addition and food fortification of cereals using neglected legume and oil seed crops among smallholder farming communities was done. There is scanty and very limited empirical evidence on the use of legumes in food fortification of cereals at the household level. This is largely because of a neglect of local micronutrient provision initiatives at the household level, with much attention being done at policy and industrial scale food fortification levels. Besides, the current policies do not provide for the fortification of most food crops commonly grown in smallholder farming communities and there are very few initiatives that are in place to promote localised fortification options among rural communities. The paper consolidated existing knowledge on food fortification in general, value addition of small grains and neglected legume and oil seed crops. It explored fortification potential of sesame, cow pea and groundnuts and mapped existing gaps and missing links hampering the enhancement of food security and nutrition. This study recommends the promotion of groundnuts and sesame production, their value addition, and their use in the fortification of cereal food products to complement protein, Vitamins, Fe, K, Na, Mg, Zn, and Ca provision. This will significantly contribute to the alleviation of malnutrition among rural communities particularly in developing countries where agriculture is the mainstay of economies.The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) and RUFORUM Community Action Research Programme PLUS (CARP+).http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-agriculture-and-food-researchhj2022Anthropology and Archaeolog