Diversity in Nutrient Content and Consumer Preferences of Sensory Attributes of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Varieties in Ugandan Agroecosystems

Abstract

The cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the most widely consumed legumes globally due to its nutrient content, taste, and affordability. Nutrient composition and consumer preference were determined for twenty local farmer (landrace) and commercial peanut varieties grown in the Nakaseke and Nakasongola districts of the central wooded savanna of Uganda through sensory and laboratory evaluation. Significant differences in nutrient content (p < 0.05) among peanut varieties were found within and across sites. A significant relationship between nutrient content and consumer preference for varieties within and across sites was also realized (Wilk’s lambda = 0.05, p = 0.00). The differences in nutrient content influenced key organoleptic characteristics, including taste, crunchiness, appearance, and soup aroma, which contributed to why consumers may prefer certain varieties to others. Gender differences in variety selection were significantly related to consumer preference for the crunchiness of roasted peanut varieties (F = 5.7, p = 0.016). The results imply that selecting different varieties of peanuts enables consumers to receive different nutrient amounts, while experiencing variety uniqueness. The promotion of peanut intraspecific diversity is crucial for improved nutrition, organoleptic appreciation and the livelihood of those engaged in peanut value chains, especially for the actors who specialize in different peanut products. The conservation of peanut diversity will ensure that the present and future generations benefit from the nutritional content and organoleptic enjoyment that is linked to unique peanut varieties.

Tasting to preserve: An educational activity to promote children’s positive attitudes towards intraspecific diversity conservation

“…It will also be important to further evaluate the impact of educational approaches in students' attitudes towards intraspecific biodiversity and to develop more effective educational approaches to enhance public support for biodiversity conservation measures. This is particularly important since intraspecific diversity is essential to ensure food security (16), namely to cope with agricultural losses resulting from global warming, to control pests, and to increase the availability and possibility of intake of various nutrients (21)(22)(23)(24)(25).…”

“…In addition, intraspecific diversity plays a crucial role in the regulation of ecological processes (20), and is essential to ensure food security, medicine development, to preserve cultural values and diversity and as a source of inspiration (16). In terms of food security, results suggest that intraspecific diversity in agricultural plants may strongly reduce the losses expected in agricultural regions due to global warming (21), contribute to control agricultural pest species affecting crops (22,23) and may enhance the dietary intake of diverse nutrients and influence consumers preferences (24,25). It is thus fundamental that people develop positive attitudes towards conserving intraspecific diversity, and schools represent an ideal setting to develop this awareness (26).…”

Tasting to preserve: An educational activity to promote children’s positive attitudes towards intraspecific diversity conservation

“…In addition, intraspecific diversity plays a crucial role in the regulation of ecological processes [ 20 ], and is essential to ensure food security, and medicine development, to preserve cultural values and diversity and as a source of inspiration [ 16 ]. In terms of food security, results suggest that intraspecific diversity in agricultural plants may strongly reduce the losses expected in agricultural regions due to global warming [ 21 ], contribute to control of agricultural pest species affecting crops [ 22 , 23 ] and may enhance the dietary intake of diverse nutrients and influence consumers preferences [ 24 , 25 ]. It is thus fundamental that people develop positive attitudes towards conserving intraspecific diversity, and schools represent an ideal setting to develop this awareness [ 26 ].…”

Scaling Up Pro-Poor Agrobiodiversity Interventions as a Development Option

“…Livestock keepers have selected breeds within species that are adapted to local conditions and to available sources of feed [25,26]. The promotion and commercialization of local varieties and breeds have had important positive effects on incomes, food security, food safety, nutrition, health, local cultural identity, and self-esteem [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33].…”