KNO

JARAMOGI OGINGA ODINGA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SCIENCES

Assignment
On

Underutilized Plants and Animals’ Food Sources

Course title: Food Systems and Resources

Course Code: AFB 5115

Submitted by:
John Misachi Ogolla
A451/P/9174/23
 Introduction

It is estimated that there will be over nine billion people in the world by 2050. The impact of
this huge population is high demand for food. However, arable land is scarce, with much of it
facing the threats of urbanization. The high population, global conflicts, and climate change
could negatively affect food production. About 800 million people are already facing
starvation. While countries and organizations are embracing new technologies and modern
food production methods, there is need to also explore the available but underutilized plants
and animals as food resources for food and nutrition security. These plants and animals can
be found anywhere, from the city sidewalk to kitchen backyards, and forest. There is plenty
of food outside there waiting to feed the hungry mouths. Below are four least utilized food
sources that can be used by both human and or livestock.

Burdock

Flowering burdock Burdock’s roots

Description: Burdock, scientifically known as Arctium, is a biennial plant native to Europe
and Asia, particularly Japan, but found allover the world. The plant comprises dark green
leaves that can grow up to 70 cm long. The leaves are generally coarse and heart-shaped,
while the leafstalks are hollow. Burdocks have clinging properties, making it easier to
disperse its seeds. The clinging properties also inspired the invention of hook-and-pile
fastener.

Uses: Burdock is used as both food and medicine in various ways. The roots are considered
the most important part of the plant. The roots can be eaten as root vegetable or dried and
grounded for seasoning to aid in digestion.
Nutrient content: The roots are believed to contain nutrients such as inulin, phytochemicals,
and antioxidants, which aid in digestion and relieve inflammation and skin disorder. The
leaves are also edible, especially the older leaves which taste better.

Known scientific knowledge: Numerous studies have documented the benefits of burdock
and potential ailments it could treat, including cancer, inflammation, and diabetes. However,
researchers are yet to universally agree on these findings. Researchers are in the process of
designing clinical studies to assess its health benefits.

Accessing the plant: Burdock grows naturally in the wild. Although it can be harvested at
any time, the best time to dig out the roots is late summer before the plant begins to produce
flower stalk. It is also advisable to harvest the roots during the first year when they are still
tender and flavorsome.

Bamboo

Bamboo shoots Cooked spicy bamboo

Description: Although there are over 1,700 bamboo species in the world, only 101 species
are edible. And because most species are used as building and furniture materials, the edible
ones have been underutilized as important food resources. Examples of edible bamboos
include Oxytenanthera abyssinica, giant thorny bamboo, common bamboo, and aromatic
bamboo.

Use: Edible bamboo shoots are important food sources because of their nutritional content.
The shoots can either be eaten raw or cooked. However, cooking removes the bitterness
found in some of the edible species.

Nutrient content: The edible species like Oxytenanthera abyssinica have high moisture
content, crude fiber, ash, fat, protein, and minerals such as sodium, copper, zinc, and iron.
Bamboo shoots are great sources of Vitamin B6 and E. Bamboo contains low amounts of
carbohydrates and high amounts of proteins, making it suitable feed for most animals.

Known scientific knowledge: Studies show that bamboo shoots have several health benefits,
including lowering cholesterol levels, improving gut health, increasing weight loss.

Accessing the plant: Most edible bamboo species grow naturally in warm and moist tropical
areas. However, the plant can also be grown in gardens or around the home to act as both a
fence and source of food. Bamboo is harvested by cutting the shoot just above the second
node. Importantly, bamboo shoots should be harvested before sunrise when most of the
starch is still confined to the roots.

Mayfly

Mayfly perching on a leaf Kunga cake made of mayfly and mosquito paste

Description: Mayfly, also known as fishflies or shadflies are known for their extremely short
lifespan. The name “mayfly” is a Greek translation for “living a day,” due to the short life of
an adult fly, usually a maximum of four days.

Use: Mayflies are important food sources in some cultures around the world, especially
Japan, China, Malawi, and communities around Lake Victoria. In Malawi, Mayfly paste is an
important ingredient for making a cake known as kunga. Some communities around Lake
Victoria collects, dry, and preserve the flies for use in food preparation. Mayflies are also a
source of food for fish and other aquatic animals.

Nutrient content: Like most aquatic insects, Mayflies are an excellent source of protein,
with their bodies containing about 66% of protein. These flies are also high in minerals such
as vitamin B, zinc, iron, and essential amino acids. However, they are low in carbohydrate.

Known scientific knowledge: Mayfly spend most of their lives as nymphs in water and
emerge as adults which lives for about one to four days. There are over 3,000 species of
mayflies worldwide. They feed on detritus, algae, and other plant material, while some flies
may feed on other insects.

Accessing the insect: Female Mayfly lay eggs in fresh water. Unlike adult flies, the nymphs
can live for years under the water. The nymphs can be collected and stored for breeding in
large volumes of water. Adult Mayflies can be caught using a special net.

Water Beetle

Giant water beetle Water beetle snack on sale

Description: Water beetles are species of beetles that is adapted to life under water at any
point of the life cycle. Most of these water beetles are only adapted to living in fresh water.
The species are either scavengers, predators, or herbivores.

Use: Although the appearance of water beetle makes it one of the least popular edible insects,
its sweet flavor and rich nutrients makes it one of the most nutritious insects in the world. The
most popular edible water beetle is the giant water bug. The giant water bugs are commonly
eaten as snack throughout Southeastern Asia. In Thailand, the insects can be added to nam
prik sauces.

Nutrient content: Water beetles are rich in protein to a tune of about 20 grams per 100 grams
serving. The insects are also rich in calcium, zinc, and iron. Because they are rich protein
sources, water beetles are excellent substitutes for meet.

Known scientific knowledge: Water beetles (Dytiscidae) is among the insects that form the
order Coleoptera, meaning “sheathed wings.” Water beetle comprises 14 families, including
whirligigs, screech beetle, diving water beetle, and scavenger water beetle.

Accessing the insect: Most water beetles are collected from their habitats using an aquatic
insect net. These are flat-bottom net with triangular or rectangular frame design. Once
collected in the net, the beetles are separated from debris, then killed and sterilized using hot
water. They are then dried.

How to Make Underutilized Plants and Animals More Usable

Underutilized plants and animals’ food resources appear to have a potential to solving food
and nutrition insecurity yet their potential are rarely exploited. These food resources are
underutilized because of various reasons, including availability of little information about
their use, little marketing or processing capacity, and little or lack of focused research on the
food sources. A careful analysis of these underutilized plants and animals is required to know
why they are underutilized and how they can be made useful for human and animals.

Two main approaches could be used to make the plants and animals more useful. These
approaches are:

 The commodity chain approach: This approach focuses on making the food
resource more available by strengthening the weak points within the value chain. It
mainly focuses on the underutilized food resource reaching the market or developing
a market for it.

 The livelihood approach: This approach focuses on bringing out the benefits and
potentials of the underutilized food resource. It mainly aims to help consumers
discover better and more uses of the food resource. For example, nutritional and
health benefits of a plant or animal, as well as its cultural role within the community.

The two approaches use similar strategies to make the underutilized food resources more
useful. Some of these strategies include:

 Optimizing production, processing, and storage method.

 Improving quality standards

 Strengthening marketing strategies

 Creating public awareness through trainings, food awareness campaigns, and food
competitions.

 Diversifying use of the food resource.

 Promoting value addition

References

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/burdock-root

https://www.guaduabamboo.com/blog/edible-bamboo-species

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2021/8835673/

https://www.amentsoc.org/insects/fact-files/orders/ephemeroptera.html

https://www.next-food.net/product/giant-water-bug-belostomatidae/

https://www.wildlifebcn.org/sites/default/files/2018-06/M%26R%20Profile%20Water
%20Beetles.pdf

https://www.wur.nl/upload_mm/8/a/6/0fdfc700-3929-4a74-8b69-f02fd35a1696_Worldwide
%20list%20of%20edible%20insects%202017.pdf

Merritt R. 2006. Atlas of the water beetles (Coleoptera) and water bugs (Hemiptera) of
Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire, 1993-2005. Sorby Record Centre

Epler, J. H. 1996. Identification manual for the water beetles of Florida (Coleoptera:
Dryopidae, Dytiscidae, Elmidae, Gyrinidae, Haliplidae, Hydraenidae, Hydrophilidae,
Noteridae, Psephenidae, Ptilodactylidae, Scirtidae)