Moringa oleifera tree is referred to as a miracle tree due to its rich source of certain macro and micro nutrients of great importance in human nutrition. The chemical composition of the different parts of the Moringa tree may vary depending on cultivar and source. M. oleifera leaf, seed and flower have found numerous applications in food. In this review we firstly summarized the present knowledge on the use of M. oleifera as a food fortificant in amala (stiff dough), ogi (maize gruel), bread, biscuits, yoghurt, cheese and in making soups. The knowledge gap in the reported research was provided and possible future applications of M. oleifera in foods as well as the need for a well-structured and planned experimental design were suggested.

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Promoting the utilization of locally available protein‐rich crops may reduce the problem of protein‐energy malnutrition. The physicochemical properties and consumer acceptance of soybean and cashew nut milk cheese analog were evaluated. Vegan milk blends were prepared by substituting soy milk with cashew nut milk at different proportions of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%. The color coordinates showed no significant differences among the samples. The percentage vegan cheese yield decreased by increasing the level of substitution. The vegan cheese analog produced with 40% cashew nut milk had the highest protein and ash but was lower in lipid. The overall acceptability of the samples decreased with increasing cashew nut milk substitution. However, sample blend with 40% cashew nut milk was preferred in terms of flavor, color, and overall acceptability. Vegan cheese analog from cashew nut and soy milk blends could be a promising value‐added product serving as an alternative protein source. Practical applications This study showed that an acceptable vegan cheese analog could be produced from the blends of soy and cashew nut milk. This cheese analog could serve as a vegetable protein source with the potential of reducing the incidence of protein‐energy malnutrition. It could also serve as a rich source of essential fatty acids.

This study examined the physical, nutritional and antioxidant properties of popular Zimbabwean bambara groundnut landraces and the effects of different processing methods on their chemical properties. The physical, nutritional and antioxidant properties of grains of the bambara landraces differed significantly with grain type, and the processing methods investigated had varying effects on the chemical properties of the grains. Bambara had significantly lower protein content than the reference common bean. Protein and carbohydrate content of the grains increased upon dehulling, while tannin (approx. 36%), total phenolic content (approx. 83%) and antioxidant activities (approx. 18%) decreased. Roasting alone seemed to have little or no effect on the nutrient content of the grains, while sifting significantly reduced the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of all the dehulled and roasted samples. The results indicate that roasting bambara grains would be a suitable method as it is relatively more conservative of nutrients and antioxidants than the other methods investigated.