Vigna subterranean (Bambara groundnut), a possible weapon in fighting the malnutrition war in the arid and sub-arid regions
1 Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
2 Department of Chemistry Education, Federal College of Education (Technical0 Umunze, Anambra State, Nigeria.\
Review Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 17(03), 242–249
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2023.17.3.0354
Publication history:
Received on 20 January 2023; revised on 28 February 2023; accepted on 01 March 2023
Abstract:
The global effort in fighting the nutrition war seems to be witnessing a record setback owing to recent climatic changes, growing insecurity, COVID-19 disruptions etc. all resulting in a global rise in food prices. Parts of Africa and Asia have constantly ranked high in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) and are already associated with the poverty and malnutrition crisis. Women and children remain the worst victims of this crisis. Although Africa is a host to a number of locally sourced, nutritious food crops which have been used as food in the time past, these crops remain underutilized while Sub-Sahara Africa remains on the red list for malnutrition. Among these underutilized plants is Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean (L.) Verdc, synonym; Voandzeia subterranean (L.) Thouars. The seeds contain about 64.4% carbohydrate, 23.6% protein, 6.5% fat, 5.5% fiber and a lot of minerals as well as a number of secondary metabolites. In Africa, the nuts have been processed into various meals which are cheaper sources of protein with high acceptability. Bambara nuts, with such a rich nutritional content can be cultivated even in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world which are ravaged by malnutrition. Highlighting and promoting such cheaper, highly nutritious foods, can be a very effective weapon for dealing with the current malnutrition crisis in the world. With this, the global sustainable development goals #2 and #3, already grossly set back by COVID-19 and global insecurity etc., may still be attainable by the year 2030.
Keywords:
Bambara groundnuts; Malnutrition war; Vigna subterranean (L.); Neglected plants.
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