Ugba, the fermented African oilbean seeds; its production, chemical composition, preservation, safety and health benefits

Unveiling the potential of African fermented cereal-based beverages: Probiotics, functional drinks, health benefits and bioactive components

Traditionally, dairy products have been the primary medium for delivering probiotics to humans. However, despite their numerous health benefits, such as nutrient supply and prevention and treatment of certain diseases, there are limitations to their use in many regions, including Africa. These limitations arise from allergens, lactose intolerance, hypercholesterolemia effects, the need for vegetarian options, cultural food taboos against milk, and religious beliefs. As a result, research efforts worldwide have focused on probiotics with health benefits. To address this issue, an integrative approach has been adopted, consolidating ideas and concepts from various studies. Researchers have explored different food matrices to determine their potential as probiotic carriers, specifically emphasizing cereals and cereal products. Studies have revealed that traditional African fermented cereal-based beverages show promise as probiotic carriers due to the presence of probiotic organisms involved in the fermentation process. This presents an opportunity to utilize African cereal beverages to deliver. This review paper provides comprehensive information on probiotics, including their sources, types, health benefits, and delivery vehicles. Specifically, it highlights the challenges and prospects for developing and consuming cereal-based probiotics in Africa. This opens up new avenues for providing probiotic benefits to a broader African population and contributes to the advancement of probiotic research and development in the region.

Intra-specific genetic diversity, phylogenetic analysis and ecological preferences of Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth., across Nigeria based on rbcL dataset

Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth., commonly referred to as "African oil bean"; is a leguminous tree species that belongs to the subfamily Caesalpinioideae of the family Fabaceae and it is native to the dry tropical rainforest forest of West to Central Africa. It is widely used as a resource for food, medicine, firewood, construction, arts, and craft and particularly of socio-economic and cultural value to indigenous people of southern, Nigeria. Despite its significant potential, it is considered underutilized in the aspect of research attention and global trade. The dataset highlights the distribution pattern, genetic diversity, phylogenetic relationship, and ecological preferences of P. macrophylla accessions collected across the various agro-ecological zones in Nigeria where it is distributed, using the Ribulose 1,5 Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase (rbcL) gene.

The Biotechnology of Ugba, a Nigerian Traditional Fermented Food Condiment

Legumes and oil bean seeds used for the production of condiments in Africa are inedible in their natural state; they contain some anti-nutritional factors especially undigestible oligosaccharides and phytate. Fermentation impact desirable changes by reducing anti-nutritional factors and increasing digestibility. Ugba is an alkaline fermented African oil bean cotyledon (Pentaclethra macrophylla) produced by the Ibos and other ethnic groups in southern Nigeria. Seen as a family business in many homes, its preparation is in accordance with handed-down tradition from previous generations and serves as a cheap source of plant protein. Its consumption as a native salad is made possible by fermentation of the cotyledon for 2–5 days, but could also serve as a soup flavoring agent when fermentation last for 6–10 days. The fermentation process involved is usually natural with an attendant issue of product safety, quality and inconsistency. The production of this condiment is on a small scale and the equipment used are very rudimentary, devoid of good manufacturing procedures that call to question the issue of microbial safety. This paper therefore reviews the production process and the spectrum of microbial composition involved during fermentation. In addition, potential spoilage agents, nutritional and biochemical changes during production are examined. Furthermore, information that can support development of starter cultures for controlled fermentation process in order to guarantee microbiological safety, quality and improved shelf life are also discussed.

Evolution of Volatile Flavour Compounds during Fermentation of African Oil Bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth) Seeds for "Ugba" Production

Fermented African oil bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth) seed is a successful and well studied seasoning and snack in parts of Western Africa. GC-MS analysis of fermenting seeds revealed a mixture of several volatile aroma compounds which changed with time and starter organism. During natural mixed culture process 36 volatile compounds including 12 hydrocarbons, 10 esters, 5 alcohols, 2 phenols, 2 ketones, and one each of furan, amine, acid, thiophene, and lactone were identified. When Bacillus subtilis was used in pure culture, 30 compounds comprising 10 hydrocarbons, 8 esters, 3 alcohols, 2 amines, 2 sulfur compounds, and one of each of acid, aldehyde, phenol, ketone, and furan were identified. Sample fermented with B. megaterium produced 29 aroma compounds comprising 9 hydrocarbons, 10 esters, 2 nitrogenous compounds, 2 ketones, 3 alcohols, and one of each of lactone, aldehyde, furan, and amine. Methyl esters of various long chain fatty acids may be key aroma compounds, based on consistency and persistence. Qualitative or quantitative contribution of individual compounds may only be determined following flavour threshold analysis.