A forum for the food scientists!
A forum for the food scientists!
Aflatoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain strains of the fungus Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. They can grow on a variety of crops, including maize, and can cause serious health problems in humans and animals if consumed in large…
There are many alternative protein sources that can be used as a replacement for traditional animal-based protein sources. Some examples include: Legumes: Legumes such as beans, lentils, and chickpeas are rich in protein and can be used to make a…
There are several ways of assuring food safety: Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) are sets of guidelines for growing, harvesting, processing, and packaging food that help to reduce the risk of contamination. They are the minimum…
What are insects? All insects belong to the phylum Arthropoda. They usually have three pairs of jointed legs, segmented bodies, an exoskeleton, one pair of antennae, and (usually) one or two pairs of wings. They are ubiquitous and therefore, they…
What is Clostridium botulinum Clostridium botulinum are Gram-positive, rod-shaped, anaerobic, spore-forming, motile bacteria with the ability to produce a neurotoxin. These bacteria are common in canned food products and therefore care must be taken especially when doing canning at home.…
Patulin The main sources of patulin are different Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Byssochlamys species, It has been reported to be carcinogenic, and mutagenic. Important microorganisms that produce patulin include Penicillium expansum, Byssochlamys fulva, and Byssochlamys nivea. Patulin has been discovered in…
Maize is a staple food for many people not just in Kenya but also around the world. According to researchers, a Kenyan would consume around 0.4kg of maize per day. Thus, the presence of toxins even in very low quantities…
What are non-communicable diseases? Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), sometimes referred to as chronic diseases, are conditions that develop over an extended period of time as a result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral variables. Their cause cannot be…
What is roasting Roasting is one of the oldest methods of cooking food. Many food are roasted including coffee and meat. Roasting is a heat treatment in which food is directly exposed to dry heat. Unlike other cooking methods such…
What is gluten Gluten is a protein that is formed in many grains, especially in wheat, barley and rye. It’s therefore common in foods made from wheat such as bread, pasta, pizza, and cereal. This protein is not present in…