Advancement of food processing biotechnology in developing countries

Abstract

Biotechnology is an applied science which represents a blending of the principles and practice of biochemistry, genetics and microbiology. The recent breakthroughs in molecular biology have transformed biotechnology into a precision science. These developments have brought in further refinements to areas like protein chemistry, nucleic acid biochemistry, fermentation and immunology, which unfortunately are not common to developing countries.

Flour nutritional profile, and soxhlet-extracted oil physicochemical breakdown-storage performance of white melon (Cucumeropsis mannii Naudin) seed varieties from Southeast Nigeria

“…The defatting process would significantly improve ( p< 0.05)the mineral content of the flour samples. Na (ranging from 223.92–246.99 mg/100g) and K (ranging from 211.04–178.45 mg/100g) appear to be the most abundant, while P (ranging from 1.78–1.92 mg/100g) and Mn (ranging from 1.14 to 1.64 mg / 100g) appear least abundant in the melon seed flour of this study, corroborating the data reported elsewhere [ 3 ]. The function of P is for bone mineralization and energy transfer, Ca for bone development and growth, Mg for cardiac and smooth muscle contractibility, K for contraction of smooth, skeletal, and cardiac muscle, as well as Na for nerve transmission and regulation of fluid balance [ 25 ].…”

“…[ 28 ]. Overall, the WAC data here compete with full-fat /defatted seed flours reported elsewhere [ 3 , 21 , 23 , 28 ].…”

“…There is paucity of both finished and processed foods that are of appropriate nutritional quality especially those that meet the needs of developing nations’ growing population. More so, the challenges of food security continue to persist [ 2 ] which is why neglected, and underutilized food crops require further product development strategies [ 2 , 3 ]. Besides, successful food product creation/innovation requires understanding the nutritional, functional, and storage aspects of the (food) crop which serves as the raw material [ 3 ].…”

“…More so, the challenges of food security continue to persist [ 2 ] which is why neglected, and underutilized food crops require further product development strategies [ 2 , 3 ]. Besides, successful food product creation/innovation requires understanding the nutritional, functional, and storage aspects of the (food) crop which serves as the raw material [ 3 ].…”

“…Traditional African vegetables and oil crops are considered with capacity to generate revenue and provide food security, but their industrial potential tends to be undervalued. The merits of such food crops include its indigenous nature, high adaptability to the local climate, and requirement of low cultivation inputs [ 3 , 4 ]. Amongst such underutilized and undervalued African vegetables that serve as a cheap nutrient is the white melon ( Cucumeropsis mannii Naudin ) , an important leguminous crop widely grown and consumed in western (Benin, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana) and central African (Cameroon, Republic Democratic of Congo) sub-region [ 4 ].…”