No abstract

One of the recent, innovative, and digital food revolutions gradually gaining acceptance is threedimensional food printing (3DFP), an additive technique used to develop products, with the possibility of obtaining foods with complex geometries. Recent interest in this technology has opened the possibilities of complementing existing processes with 3DFP for better value addition. Fermentation and malting are age-long traditional food processes known to improve food value, functionality, and beneficial health constituents. Several studies have demonstrated the applicability of 3D printing to manufacture varieties of food constructs, especially cereal-based, from root and tubers, fruit and vegetables as well as milk and milk products, with potential for much more value-added products. This review discusses the extrusion-based 3D printing of foods and the major factors affecting the process development of successful edible 3D structures. Though some novel food products have emanated from 3DFP, considering the beneficial effects of traditional food processes, particularly fermentation and malting in food, concerted efforts should also be directed toward developing 3D products using substrates from these conventional techniques. Such experimental findings will significantly promote the availability of minimally processed, affordable, and convenient meals customized in complex geometric structures with enhanced functional and nutritional values.

Efforts to attain sustainable nutritional diets in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are still below par. The continent is envisaged to face more impending food crises. This review presents an overview of common edible insects in Africa, their nutritional composition, health benefits and utilization in connection with fermentation to enrich the inherent composition of insect-based products and offer foods related to existing and generally preferred culinary practice. Attempts to explore fermentation treatments involving insects showed fermentation affected secondary metabolites to induce antimicrobial, nutritional and therapeutic properties. Available value-added fermented edible insect products like paste, powder, sauces, and insect containing fermented foods have been developed with potential for more. Novel fermented edible insect-based products could effectively fit in the continent’s food mix and therefore mitigate ongoing food insecurity, as well as to balance nutrition with health risk concerns limiting edible insects’ product acceptability in SSA.

The particular interest in biomodifications of underutilised but nutritionally distinct whole grains is vital to promote diet diversity, nutrition transition and food security. This study investigated the use of shortterm solid-state fermentation and germination to ease processability and improve the quality characteristics of whole grain (WG) cowpea and quinoa flours. The fermented and germinated WG flours were prepared at 28 °C for 48 h. The biochemical, nutritional quality and techno-functional properties of the obtained flours were determined. The macromolecules' biomodification by microbial metabolism and endogenous enzymes activation influenced quality variations in the biomodified flours. The cowpea sourdough flour (CSF) presented lower acidity (pH 4.72), higher total flavonoid (29.63 mg QE/g), total phenolic (8.21 mg GAE/g) and antioxidant activity. The flour also showed high contents of fibre (5.30%), ash (4.42%), calcium (864.49 mg/kg), potassium (12848.64 mg/kg), zinc (33.83 mg/kg), good protein (21.43%) and a moderate fat level (2.65%). Higher oil absorption and water solubility indices were also noted for CSF. In contrast, malted quinoa flour (MQF) exhibited higher swelling power, increased dispersibility and improved final, peak and trough viscosities. The CSF displayed higher redness and browning index, whereas MQF had greater lightness. The results suggest that CSF and MQF had the best complementary quality attributes. Their formulation as gluten-free, whole and multigrain ingredients may promote healthy choices for individualised growing dietary needs.

Purpose Moral aspects of food are gaining increased attention from scholars due to growing complexity of the food system. The foodservice system is a complex arrangement of stakeholders, yet has not benefited from similar scholarly attention on the moral facets. This gap is of significance given that the foodservice system has increased in importance with the larger proportion of food consumed in foodservice environments. This paper aims to focus on the foodservice system with the goal of applying moral perspectives associated with the theoretical discussion on the principles of food ethics. Design/methodology/approach Food ethics is described within the theoretical framework of three principles, namely, autonomy, justice and well-being. These ethical principles are reviewed in context of the foodservice system comprised of food distribution (supply chains), preparation (foodservice establishments) and consumption (consumer demand). The review also includes international perspectives on foodservice system ethics to assess relativism (versus universalism) of moral issues. Findings As the foodservice system increases in complexity, greater discussion is needed on the ethics of this system. This study observes that ignoring ethical principles can negatively impact the ability of consumers, businesses and communities to make informed choices, and on their well-being. Alternatively, a focus on understanding the role of food ethics can provide an anchor for research, practice and policy development to strengthen the foodservice system. While these moral principles are universal truths, they will require relative introspection globally, based on local experiences. Originality/value This paper presents a moral principle-based description of food ethics that incorporates the various components of the expanding foodservice system.