Aims: Evaluate possible application of African Star Apple seed oil as industrial raw material geared towards possible conversion of waste to wealth with no negative impact as it borders on food scarcity. Also unveiling the possibility of a sustainable environment via the eradication of waste from the environment, thereby creating a clean environment. Place and Duration of Study: Fresh ripped fruits of African Star Apple were bought from some local market sellers at Agbarha-Otor market which is located in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria on longitude 6° 2' 54" E /5° 30' 40" N, between November, 2019 and March, 2020. Experimental Details: Soxhlet extraction with n-hexane as solvent was used for the oil extraction of 100 g per batch of extraction. Pretreatment procedure of oil was done prior to transesterification. Homogenous base-catalyzed transesterification reaction was used in this study under controlled experimental conditions such as temperature, reaction time, methanol to oil molar ratio and catalyst type and concentration were examined under varied ranges to ascertain optimum experimental conditions for the reaction. Extracted seeds oil were analysed for its physicochemical properties using standard methods via: specific gravity, acid value, refractive index, saponification value, iodine value and free fatty acid using standard methods. Results: The results showed an oil yield of 14.9%, an indication that the seed reflects a poor source of abundant oil. Results obtained for the physiochemical properties, revealed that; specific gravity, refractive index, saponification value, acid value, free fatty acid and iodine value showed values of 0.896 kg/m3, 1.549, 231.32 mgKOH/g, 3.23 mgKOH/g, 2.07% and 47.63 mg/100 g respectively. Also, results for Methanol: Oil ratio showed that maximum yield was obtained at 6:1 molar ratio. Maximum conversion efficiency for molar concentration was achieved at 0.75% for both catalysts. While a reaction time of 125 min projected better yield. Conclusion: The seed of African star fruit are discarded as waste, therefore its use as a source of oil for industrial feedstock and other domestic application, poses no challenge with regards to food security. Its non-drying potential based on its low iodine value, makes it suitable lubricating oil for industrial application. Similarly, potential application of the oil as feedstock for the production of biodiesel is justified on the basis of its low acid value. Conclusively, the seeds may not have sufficient oil volume potential to be used as edible (domestic) and industrial oil. Consequently upon its low yield, application for biofuel production in commercial scale becomes unrealistic.

The proximate composition and the amino acid profile analyses of the rhizome of Nymphaea lotus (water lily) were carried out based on standard methods reported by the association of official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). The results of the proximate analysis showed that Nymphaea lotus rhizome had moisture content of 48.83±3.22; crude protein 4.23±0.06; crude fibre 5.00±1.50; ash content 4.67±0.17; high available carbohydrate 35.

Nigeria has had periodic food shortages in recent years, to the point where hunger is clearly one of the country’s most pressing issues. The escalating insecurity challenges, ranging from Boko Haram in the north to IPOB’s demand for a referendum in the south, are blamed for the crisis. Another important aspect is the high number of kidnappings in most rural communities that rely on agriculture for a living, as well as the recent Covid-19 pandemic, which kept all farmers at home for about a year. Agriculture has been Nigeria’s greatest non-oil contributor to the national economy, accounting for 41.84 percent of GDP in 2009 and employing about 70 percent of the labour force. However, this projection has recently suffered a setback, with a report from the Bureau of Statistics accounting for 24.45 percent in 2020. In the post-Covid-19 period, Nigeria’s economy has shifted from a fight for survival to a struggle for survival hampered by serious insecurity crises. Despite the fact that government measures prohibiting the importation of some food items have had a favorable impact, the unchecked battle between farmers and herders continues to thwart government objectives. Furthermore, the Covid-19 pandemic brought to light the reality that addressing food sustainability will necessitate a collaboration of these elements, as well as more extensive knowledge of Farming Structure (FS), Environmental Issues (EI), Social Issues (SI), and Government Intervention (GI). As a result, this review will look at a correlation between these aspects, evaluating their effects on food sustainability as well as providing important information to address the persistent food insecurity in the contemporary era while also increasing the nation’s GDP.