This comprehensive book documents African plants used for functional and medicinal foods. It contains more than 60 detailed monographs of African foods, describing foods with various characteristics such as prebiotic, probiotic, satiety, immune modulation, stress-reduction, sports performance, mental acuity, sleep-supporting, metabolic syndrome, antioxidant, and unsaturated fats. Plant description, botanical names and synonyms, plant part used, habitat and distribution, folk use, nutritional content, and chemistry are all fully detailed. The book highlights indigenous African food processing technologies up to the modern era.
INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN FUNCTIONAL FOODS
Foods, Phytochemicals, and Nutraceuticals: The New Health Imperative
Phytonutrients: Nature’s Own Medicine
How Do Phytochemicals Work
How Do We Get Enough Phytochemicals
Raw versus Cooked Food
Low Consumption of Animal Protein
Gluten-Free African Food Plants
African Functional Foods in Commerce
Glossary
References
Historical Introduction: The Role of Dietary Plants in Traditional Medical Care in Africa
References
Major Nutraceuticals of African Origin
Introduction
Polyphenols
β-Carotene
Phytosterols and Phytostanols
Catechin
Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate
Resveratrol
Proanthocyanidins
Tocotrienols
Ubiquinone
Essential Oils
Glucosinolates and Isothiocyanates
5-Hydroxy-l-Tryptophan
Dietary Fiber
References
Modern Trends in the Use of Functional Food Plants of Africa
Introduction
Polyherbal Formulations as Bioenhancers
Use of Nanoparticles to Enhance Bioavailability
African Fermented Foods
Fruit and Vegetable Smoothies
References
FUNCTIONAL FOODS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CERTAIN DISEASES
Oxidative Stress, Plant Antioxidants, and Health
Introduction
Alzheimer’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease
Sources of Antioxidants in Foods
References
Effect of Phytonutrients on Chronic Inflammatory Diseases and Aging
Introduction
Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases
Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Culinary Herbs and Spices
Inflammation and Aging
References
Digestive System Dysfunction: Dietary Interventions
Introduction
Gut Microbiota
Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Symbiotic
Gut and Immune System
Gastrointestinal Information Exchange System
Functional Foods, Gut Health, and Diseases
Maintenance of Optimum Gut Health
References
Functional Foods and Phytonutrients in Diabetes Management
Introduction
Functional Foods
Fiber-Rich Diets in the Prevention of Diabetes and Obesity
Polyherbal Formulations
Problem with Sugars: Health Implications of High-Fructose Corn Syrup
References
Dietary Supplements in Cancer Prevention and Management
Introduction
Functional Foods with Chemoprotective Properties
Aloin and Related Aloe Compounds
Green Tea
Cocoa Polyphenols
References
MONOGRAPHS
Monographs of Major African Functional Foods
Introduction
Alligator Pepper, Grains of Paradise
Aloe Vera
Cape Aloe
Aridan
Balanites: Desert Date
Bambara Groundnut
"How to Eat It"—Taken from FAO
Dumplings
Baobab
Bissap: Zobo
Bitter Kola
Bitter Leaf
Boscia
Buchu
Bush Cane
Bush Mango: Ogbono
Cacao: Cocoa
Calabash Nutmeg
Cashew
Value-Added Products from Cashew
Clove
Coconut
Coffee
Cowpea: Black-Eye Bean
Egyptian Chamomile: Msolo
Enset
Ethiopian Pepper
False Nutmeg
Fenugreek
Frankincense: Olibanum
Garden Egg: African Eggplant
GarlicGinger
Globe Artichoke: Cardoon
Gnetum: Eru, Okazi
Gongronema: UtaziGriffonia
Guava
Guinea pepper
Gum Arabic
Honeybush Tea
Indian Ginseng
Kidney Bean
Kinkeliba
Kola Nut
Cola Nitida
Lemongrass
Locust Bean
Marama: Morama Bean
Marula
Mondia: White’s Ginger
Moringa: Horseradish Tree
Myrrh
Nutmeg Tree
Okra
Palm Tree
Pawpaw: Papaya
Pigeon Pea
Red Pepper
Cayenne Pepper
Rooibos
Scent Leaf
Ocimum suave
Ocimum sanctum
Sesame Seed: Benniseed
Shea Butter Tree
Sisal
Sorghum: Guinea Corn
(African) Star Apple
Tamarind
Tigernut
Trichilia
Turmeric
Ugu: Fluted Pumpkin
Velvet Bean: Lacuna Bean
Wild Olive
References
Biography
Maurice M. Iwu (M. Pharm., Ph.D. Bradford) was a Professor of Pharmacognosy at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, and a Senior Research Associate at the Division of Experimental Therapeutics of Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Washington D.C. He is the President of Bioresources Development Group (BDG), an African-based independent biosciences research and development organization that cultivates, processes and produces medicines and cosmetics from natural products.
He is a member of the Board of Directors of Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc (formerly Pfizer Nigeria). He is the founder and chairman of Bioresources Development and Conservation Programme (BDCP), Bioresources Institute of Nigeria (BION), Intercedd Health Products (IHP) and the International Centre for Ethnomedicine and Drug Development (InterCEDD). He was the Vice President, Research and Development at Tom’s of Maine. Prof. Iwu has received many academic and professional honors, including the World Health Organization (WHO) Visiting Scholar at the Dyson Perrins Laboratory, University of Oxford (1980), Fulbright Senior Scholar Award (Ohio State University, Columbus Ohio and the Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York (1983); Senior Research Scholar Award, U.S. National Research Council, Washington D.C. (1993 – 1995) and the Richard Schultz International Prize for Ethnobiology (1999). Commendation and tribute at the United States House of Representative, 106th Congress (2002). He was awarded the Doctor of Letters degree (Honoraris Causa) of Imo State University, Nigeria (2009).
He has presented over 300 scientific papers, published more than 200 research articles and is the author of four books, including the highly cited "Handbook of African Medicinal Plants" (First Edition 1994; Second Edition 2014) published by CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida. He is the Series Editor of the Elsevier Science Series "Advances in Phytomedicine". He is also a member of the Editorial Board of several international scientific journals. He has a number of patents to his credit. He is a member of the Treatment Research Group (TRG) on Ebola virus disease established by the Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health, Clinical Trial Technical Working Group (CT-TWG) of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) of Nigeria, and the African Regional Standards Organization ARSO) Committee for the Harmonization of Standardization of Traditional Medicines and Medicinal Plants.