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Bridging Research and Real-World Impact
The mission of FFNAN is to facilitate bench-to-bedside translation of research results for improved health care delivery and socio-economic development through the utilization of the abundant bio-resources in the region as raw materials for the food and nutraceutical industries.
What we do
Nourishing minds,
transforming communities through the power of nutrition.
We publish insightful content on nutrition, food security, and sustainable agriculture, inspiring individuals to make healthier, informed choices.
Build Healthy Lifes
We focus on nurturing physical, mental, and emotional well-being, creating a foundation for a healthier, more fulfilling life
Food Access Programs
Partnering with local organizations to improve access to nutritious food in underserved areas.
Build Healthy Lifes
We focus on nurturing physical, mental, and emotional well-being, creating a foundation for a healthier, more fulfilling life
Varieties of Solanum melongena L. (eggplant) as potential functional ingredients
The heightened knowledge of the advantages of functional food has prompted the food industry to develop a variety of such products utilizing locally sourced, cost-effective agricultural goods. Eggplant (Solanum melongena L) is an agricultural product esteemed for its high fibre content and low caloric value. Four varieties of eggplants, specifically purple (AAA), cream (BBB), green (CCC), and bitter (DDD), were evaluated for their chemical composition (proximate, mineral, and antinutrient composition), antioxidant scavenging capabilities [Nitric oxide (NO), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl (*OH)], and iron chelation properties. The components of dietary fibre, glycemic index (GI), and glycemic load (GL) were also analyzed. Moisture content ranged from 4.80% to 8.20%, ash content from 5.10% to 11.95%, crude fibre from 11.86% to 15.68%, fat content from 3.33% to 7.20%, protein from 8.27% to 18.64%, carbohydrate from 45.26% to 62.34%, and energy value from 288.63 to 326.67 kcal. Phosphorus was the primary macronutrient, with levels ranging from 707.50 to 1041.80 mg/100g, but iron was the principal micronutrient; the Ca:P and Na:K ratios were both less than 1. AAA had the highest concentrations of phytochemicals: phytate (12.27 mg/100g), tannin (5.65 mg/100g), oxalate (18.89 mg/100g), saponin (8.34 mg/100g), alkaloid content (0.18 μg/100g), and trypsin inhibitor (3.33 %). AAA had the most significant scavenging capabilities in DPPH, Fe chelation, NO, and OH*. The IDF: SDF of eggplant types varied from 2:1 to 3:1, exhibiting a low glycemic index and medium glycemic load. The findings indicated the potential use of purple aubergine, specifically in the creation of functional food.
Comparative Study of the Cytotoxicity, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Profile of Selected Medicinal Plants Used as Food Flavours in Eastern Nigeria
Medicinal plants (MPs), used in the treatment of various ailments including cancer, is as old as existence itself. There are claims that using spices extracted from some MPs, in the diets of Eastern Nigerians increased longevity but there is no scientific substantiation to this. Gongronema latifolium, Ocimum gratissimum, Monodora myristica fragrans Houtt., Xylopia aethiopica, and Laurus nobilis L., were used in this study, and processed to crude methanol extracts, CMEGL (crude methanol extract Gongronema latifolium), CMEOG (crude methanol extract Ocimum gratissimum), CMEMM (crude methanol extract Monodora myristica), CMEXA (crude methanol extract Xylopia aethiopica), and CMELN (crude methanol extract Laurus nobilis) respectively. The study was to investigate the antioxidant, antimicrobial and the cytotoxic potential of these MPs to explore the potent bioactive agents and their contributions to the general well-being of the body. The various crude extracts, CMEGL, CMEOG, CMEMM, CMEXA and CMELN were subjected to analysis to evaluate these properties. The results reveal that CMEXA and CMEMM had the highest antioxidant activities, CMEOG and CMELN had the best cytotoxic and antimicrobial potential, suggesting that these MPs might contain potent bioactive agents, contributing to longevity amongst people from eastern Nigeria.
Growth Performance and Cholesterolemic Level of Broilers Chicken fed with Penicillium camemberti-fermented Sweet Orange Peels-based Diet
A forty-two (42)-days feeding trial was conducted with thirty (30) day-old broiler chicks’ weighing 34.45 g average and grouped into three groups (n =10). Groups 2 and 3 were fed with feeds substituted with 10% and 20% of 7 days of Penicillium camemberti-fermented orange peels (PCFOP) as a replacement for maize. Meanwhile, Group 1 was fed 0% PCFOP. Subsequently, we assessed the growth performance, including body weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio, as well as the lipid profile of several tissues (serum, breast, thigh, and drumstick). The study showed that the formulated diets improved broiler chicken growth performance, lowered cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein, and increased (p<0.05) the high-density lipoprotein level in broiler tissue. This study, therefore, proved the novelty of using PCFOP as a replacement for scarce maize grain in the formulation of chicken diets for quality broiler production. However, 20% of PCFOP inclusion proved to be better.
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Pharma-Food Congress
Functional Foods and Phytomedicines: an emerging nexus for Healthcare Management in Humans and Animal Husbandry