BackgroundEdible insects are an important source of food to many African populations. The longhorn grasshopper, Ruspolia differens (Serville 1838), commonly known as senene in Tanzania is one of the most appreciated edible insects by societies around Lake Victoria crescent. Senene is primarily an essential treat for the tribes around the lake, e.g., the Haya of Tanzania, Luo of Kenya and Baganda of Uganda. Despite its importance as a food item and appreciation as a delicacy, there are few studies dealing with culture, beliefs and indigenous technology in connection with the senene. The main objective of this study was to survey indigenous technologies, processing methods and traditions in relation to senene consumption among the Haya tribe in Kagera region of Tanzania.MethodsOur ethnographic study was conducted through semi-structured interviews. A total of 51 locals, 26 females and 25 males aged 21 to 60 years were interviewed (with 3 female and 7 male key informants among them). Questions focused on cultures, beliefs and traditions towards senene consumption. Processing, preservation and shelf-life as well as nutritional knowledge were also investigated.ResultsHarvesting for household consumption was mainly done through wild collection. Traditionally made traps were mostly used for commercial harvesting. Deep frying was the most preferred processing method while smoking was the most preferred preservation method, with shelf-life of up to 12 months. Interesting traditions and taboos associated with senene consumption were identified, with men monopolising the insects as food by declaring the insects taboo for women and children. Deep fried senene in locally packed containers were mostly sold by street vendors, but also available from a variety of stores and supermarkets.ConclusionBeyond being just an important traditional delicacy, senene is becoming increasingly popular, providing opportunity for local businesses. Indigenous technologies for harvesting, processing and preserving senene exist, but must be improved to meet food processing standards, thereby promoting commercialization. This carries economic potential essential for improving incomes and livelihoods of women and smallholder farmers, improving household level food security.

High starch yield is the most important trait for commercialized cassava starch production. Furthermore, cyanide present in cassava roots poses a health challenge in the use of cassava for food. Cassava genotypes have varying maturity periods that are also environmental dependent. This study aimed at identifying suitable cultivars and optimum time of harvest to maximize starch production across three environments. The study found significant difference between genotypes, locations, harvest period, and all the interactions (P ≤ 0.001) for all traits analyzed. Kiroba recorded high starch yields of 17.4, 12.7, and 8.2 t ha−1 at Chambezi, Amani, and Magadu, respectively. Kilusungu recorded highest cyanide content of 300–400 ppm across all locations but Kiroba recorded highest values of 800 ppm, 15 months after planting at Chambezi. Genotype by environment (GGE) biplot analysis revealed that Kiroba was a superior cultivar in terms of starch yield. Kilusungu recorded highest cyanide content and average starch yield, therefore suitable for use in starch production. The study confirmed effect of genotype and genotype by environment interaction, Kiroba cultivar was superior in terms of starch yield and maximum starch yield was obtained at 9 months after planting. Nyamkagile and Kibandameno had the lowest cyanide content across all environments.

The alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and total provitamin A carotenoids and the effect of traditional processing practices on the retention of these provitamins were studied using amaranth, cowpea, peanut, pumpkin and sweet potato leaves. Results of this study indicated that the content of total carotenoids, beta-carotene and alpha-carotene were in the range of 26.79-44.74 mg, 4.16-19.12 mg, and 0.99-10.26 mg per 100 g of dry vegetables, respectively. The vitamin A activities were 4.042, 3.124, 0.829, 2.025 and 1.581 mg RE per 100 g of dry amaranth, cowpea, peanut, pumpkin and sweet potato leaves, respectively. The traditional processing practices of sun drying and storage in ventilated containers resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the concentration of total carotenoids, beta-carotene and alpha-carotene for all the vegetables. Conventional blanching and cooking resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the concentration of carotenoids in the cowpea, peanut and pumpkin leaves while in amaranth and sweet potato greens, thermal processing resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the concentration of these nutrients.

Cassava is an ideal "climate change" crop valued for its efficient production of root starch. Here, the physicochemical properties and functionality of starches isolated from six cassava landraces were explored to determine how they varied from each other and from those previously described, and how they may be potentially used as value-added foods and biomaterials. Among genotypes, the parameters assayed showed a narrower range of values compared to published data, perhaps indicating a local preference for a certain cassava-type. Dry matter (30-39%), amylose (11-19%), starch (74-80%), and reducing sugar contents (1-3%) differed most among samples (p 0.05). Only one of the six genotypes differed in starch crystallinity (41.4%; while the data ranged from 36.0 to 37.9%), and mean starch granule particle size, (12.5 mm instead of 13.09-13.80 mm), while amylopectin glucan chain distribution and granule morphology were the same. In contrast, the starch functionality features measured: swelling power, solubility, syneresis, and digestibility differed among genotypes (p 0.05). This was supported by partial least square discriminant analysis, which highlighted the divergence among the cassavas based on starch functionality. Using these data, suggestions for the targeted uses of these starches in diverse industries were proposed.

A survey was conducted on 400 mother-child pairs attending post-natal Mother and Child Health (MCH) clinics in 17 centres in Morogoro district, Tanzania to investigate the breastfeeding and weaning practices and their influence on the nutritional status and growth patterns of children aged 0-2 years. Results of the study indicated that a large percent of mothers breatfeed their infants at birth. Forty percent of the mothers were found to breastfeed their infants within the first 3 hours while 71% breastfed within the first 12 hours post delivery. Small, insignificant (p < 0.05) variations were found between the mothers living in rural and urban areas of the district.Rooming-in was practised by 80% of mothers in the rural areas compared to 77% of mothers in the urban communities. Ninety six percent of mothers in the rural communities breastfed their children on demand against 68% of their counterparts in the urban areas. Only 2% of rural mothers breastfed their children on schedule while in urban areas 32% of mothers breastfed on schedule. Baby girls were reported to be breastfed relatively longer than baby boys.Breastfeeding frequency was highest in the early days of lactation, with 74% and 55% of mothers in the rural and urban areas respectively breastfeeding 8 times during the day and 4 times in the night. For both rural and urban mothers, the frequency dropped to 5 times during the day and 2 times during the night after the sixth month.Lactation period was longer for children of rural mothers compared to their counterparts of urban mothers. Eighty six percent of mothers in the rural areas indicated an average lactation period of 22.2 months compared to the duration of 20.7 months for the majority (78%) of mothers in the urban communities. The average lactation period for the female children was longer than that of their male counterparts. Young mothers who generally had low parity had a shorter average lactation period compared to the older mothers. Mothers without or with primary education breastfed longer than their counterparts with higher education levels.Ninety three percent of urban mothers weaned their infants at the age of 3.5 months, while 89% of mothers in the rural areas weaned at a slightly older age of 4.5 months. Reasons for introducing weaning foods at various ages were given. The type of weaning foods including reasons for their selection were also investigated.The nutritional status of the children indicated that 40.5% and 37.5% of children in the rural and urban communities respectively were underweight (W/A < -2SD) while 2% of children in both rural and urban communities were wasted (W/H < -2SD). More children (13%) in the urban areas were stunted (H/A < -2SD) compared to their counterparts (10%) in the rural communities. In both communities, growth of children starts to falter at the age of 3.5-4 months, the time which the children are also weaned. Children in the urban grew better with significantly (p < 0.05) higher average weights compared to children of the same age in the rural communi...