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…
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…
Macronutrients include minerals and vitamins. They are needed by the human bod in small quantities. Most of the foods that we consume have varied levels of some of these micronutrients. Thus, every time you eat, the food contributes to your…
Protein are important macronutrients required for repair of worn out tissues, growth and development. However, that does not mean that we should consume them in excess. This is because the body does not store excess proteins, at least not in…
The recommended dietary allowance for proteins is based on body weight. For a healthy adult, the recommended dietary allowance is 0.8g/kg, which is approximately 10% of the recommended total calories. Thus, for a person who has 60 kg on average,…
Diet planners have developed several ways to select foods. Whatever plan or combination of plans they use; they keep in mind the following six basic diet planning principles. Adequacy – An adequate diet should provide enough energy and enough of…