Advances in Food Science and Technology

Advances in Food Science and Technology Vol. 2 (4), pp. 199-203, April, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Review

The rising issues and trends of Global Food

Preshy Morrison, Kaweche Okharua and Amoateng Maxwell

Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Business Grahams town, Eastern Cape, South Africa, Cape Town,South Africa.

E-mail- Morrison874@yahoo.com

Accepted 30 March, 2014

Abstract 

Global food scenario has been under heavy odds. This has been due to spiraling food prices and scarcity of food grains world over. The result is that the specter of a hungry world that stood at 800 million, roiled into unrest and political upheavals. One of the contributory factors is more population and lesser output of food grains. It is also assumed that that the Asian Economies and the US have also contributed towards global food crisis. A lot of efforts have been made out both at international level and national levels. However there is improvement in trends and situation and it is hoped that the worst may be over. The need, therefore, is to take more effective measures to tackle this alarming and burning issue that the world is facing. The present paper reviews emerging issues and trends in respect of global food situation and crisis.

Key words: Food prices, food crisis, food situation, insecurity, stability, disparities, hunger, poverty.

Advances in Food Science and Technology Vol. 2 (4), pp. 191-198, April, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Fish feeding habits in Anwai stream ichthyofauna, Niger-Delta

Temi Ebibote, Ayebaemi Preye and Ileberi ogele

National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, P.M.B. 071, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Nigeria.

E-mail:Ebi_temi@yahoo.com

Accepted 11 March, 2014

Abstract

The food and feeding habits of some fish fauna in Anwai stream were investigated. Fish samples (160 individual fish in 19 species) were collected using combination of traps, gill nets of various mesh sizes and baited hooks and lines in the three zones (upper, middle and lower reaches) of the stream. Stomach content analysis was carried out using frequency of occurrence, numerical analysis and volumetric analysis. It was observed that Hemichromis Fasciatus competed with fish species of commercial importance viz Tilapia zilli, Christinus guentheri and Oreochromis niloticus for major food items (100 F% of blue green algae, green algae and diatom). Feeding intensity (absolute importance index) of Hemichromini bimasculatus (700) and O. niloticus (801) remain relatively higher than that of the other fish species during the study.

Key words: Stomach content analysis, frequency of occurrence, absolute importance index, Anwai stream.

Advances in Food Science and Technology Vol. 2 (3), pp. 184-190, March, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Finger millet for nutritional security and Source of food

Dinesh Arjun, Rohit Kumar and Chaurasia Singh

Department of Foods and Nutrition, College of Home Science, Medical Council of India, New Delhi, India.

E-mail: Arj_din@yahoo.com

Accepted 28February, 2014

Abstract 

Finger millet is amongst the major crops of Uttaranchal. Over the years there has been rapid decline both in production and consumption of millets. Chemical composition of finger millet revealed that total carbohydrate content of finger millet has been reported to be in the range of 72 to 79.5%. Finger millet has nearly 7% protein but large variations in protein content from 5.6 to 12.70% have been reported by various studies. Total ash content is higher in finger millet than in commonly consumed cereal grains. The ash content has been found to be nearly 1.7 to 4.13% in finger millet. Calcium content of 36 genotypes of finger millet ranged from 162 to 487 mg %. Singh and Srivastava (2006) reported the iron content of 16 finger millet varieties ranged from 3.61 mg/100g to 5.42 mg%. Finger millet is the richest source of calcium and iron. Calcium deficiency leading to bone and teeth disorder, iron deficiency leading to anemia can be overcome by introducing finger millet in our daily diet. Maximum utilization of the nutrient potential of the millet is limited by the presence of phytates, phenols, tannins and enzyme inhibitors but their effect can be reduced by using processing techniques like popping, roasting, malting and fermentation. The use of these techniques not only decreases the content of antinutrients but increases the bioavailability of certain minerals like calcium and iron. Composite flours made by using finger millet can be used for preparation of various nutrient dense recepies which can be effectively used for supplementary feeding programs.

Key words: Bioavailability, malting, chemical composition, composite flour, antinutrients.

Advances in Food Science and Technology Vol. 2 (3), pp. 178-183, March, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Safety measures in food keeping amongst pregnant women in Nigeria: A rural – urban comparison

Kautu Karisa, Mwamutsi Zimba and Rajveer Jamal 

School of Public Health and Community Development, and Administration and Finance, Maseno University, P. O. Box 333, Maseno, Kenya

E-mail: K.karis@yahoo.com. 

Accepted 08 February, 2014

Abstract 

The burden of disease caused by adverse pregnancy outcomes, including maternal and child morbidity and mortality, in developing countries, has been enormous. An important contributor to good pregnancy outcome is the nutritional status of the mother, which is a factor of adequacy or otherwise of the dietary intake in pregnancy. Household food security is a determinant of adequate dietary intake. This study assessed and compared household food security among 720 rural and urban pregnant women from Ogun-East senatorial district using semi-structured, interviewer-administered, six-item, short form food security questionnaire. Data analysis was done using International Business Machine (IBM) statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 14.00. The result was presented as proportions, with the relevant test statistic. Household food security was higher among the rural respondents than their urban counterparts. More urban respondents were food insecure without hunger and with hunger compared with their rural counterparts. There was no significant difference (p = 0.070) between the household food security status of both groups of respondents. Economic empowerment of women and improvement in food availability even during the planting season will go a long way in improving the food security status of many households. 

Key words: Household, food, security, pregnant, women.

Advances in Food Science and Technology Vol. 2 (2), pp. 172-177, February, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Analytical Data of special food crops in Ile-Ife of Osun State, Nigeria

Suya M* and B. I. Dele

Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. 

E-mail: mvtpy_S60@gmail.com

Accepted 08 January, 2014

Abstract 

Studies showed that young farmers are not attracted to the production of food crops which is central to the reduction of poverty and food security among poverty ridden populace of Osun State. This study analyzes the economic factors responsible for productivity of selected food crops in Osun State. Factors influencing the level of production as well as problems militating against the production of the selected food crops in the study area were examined. Purposively, sampled data were collected from 100 farming households. Budgetary analysis and four functional forms of ordinary least square (OLS) were fitted to the data. Results showed that farm size allocated to crops imposes a positive and significant influence on return. The cost-benefit ratio to food crops are 0.65, 1.22 and 0.44 for cassava, maize and yam, respectively. Capital was the major constraints to food crop production in the study area for all the crops studied. It was concluded that yam production was more profitable but less cultivated compared to cassava. Farmers especially the young ones need to be financially encouraged to cultivate more of these crops and reduce the family size in order to sustain the productivity of these food crops.

Key words: Food crops, food security, productivity.

Advances in Food Science and Technology Vol. 2 (1), pp. 165-171, January, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Limiting household factors that hinders enough food in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

Malesela Azubuike, Jabulani P. and Ncanywa E

Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Eastern Cape, South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa. 

E-mail:  Az_Malesela@gmail.com

Accepted 28 December 2013

Abstract

South Africa is experiencing rapid increase in food prices while household income is increasing at a slower rate. This antagonistic state has positioned ordinary South Africans, at present struggling to meet their basic household requirements, more vulnerable to food security. The objectives of the study were to determine factors that affect household access to enough food in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and to determine the role played by agriculture and fisheries in enhancing household access to enough food. Data were collected from 159 households using a questionnaire as the main instrument. Most households interviewed were male headed (50.3%). Unemployment level was high with 73.6% of the interviewed household heads being unemployed. On average, households had five members and range from 1 to 13. The average age of household heads was 59 years. Most of the household heads owned home gardens and had access to arable land though the majority did not cultivate their land (83%). Poultry and livestock production were practiced by 61.6 and 52.8% of the households, respectively. Government grants were the main source of income for the majority of households. The mean household income for all households was ZAR2 987. From the 159 respondents only 29 had access to enough food. Access to enough food was affected by gender of head of household, household size, education level of household head, agricultural training, poultry production and monthly total income. Most of the interviewed households depend mostly on food purchases rather than own production. This therefore mean that the people in the area to do not explore agriculture up to its potential.

Key words: Food security, garden, household, income, land access, livestock.