Search

Aims: Mold contamination of foods especially by mycotoxin producing fungi is not only a global food quality concern for food manufacturers, but it also constitutes a high risk for human and animal health resulting in massive economic losses globally. This study investigated the effect of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) on the growth of Aspergillus carbonarius strains and their production of ochratoxin A (OTA). Methodology: Seven fresh coffee cherry and 9 dry coffee cherry samples were collected from Man, Daloa and Akoupé 3 main coffee producing regions in Côte d'Ivoire. LAB were isolated from fresh coffee cherries while mold strains were from both fresh and dry coffee cherry. The inhibitory effect against mold growth and the ability for OTA removal of selected LAB strains were tested successively in vitro and then during coffee cherry primary postharvest processing before evaluating their influence on sensory quality of beverage. OTA production ability of molds strains are studied using both solid (CYA) and liquid (CYB) Cazapeck Yeast medium. Results: About 34 fungal isolates belonging to Aspergillus and Penicillium genus were studied for their OTA production using the agar plug technique and HPLC-FD. Five A. carbonarius strains were capable of OTA production between 15.9 and 83mg.kg-1.Out of seven isolates of Lactobacillus plantarum, two were successful in inhibition of mycelial growthproduced fungicidal activity; five were successful in retarding it produced fungistatical activity All of L. plantarum isolates exhibited OTA reduction ability at about 99 %. The inoculation of two highest anti-ochratoxigenic LAB to fermenting coffee cherries resulted in great inhibition of mold growth and OTA contents reduction varying from 63.2 to 82.2%. The addition of LAB to coffee cherries did not influence the sensory attributes of the beverages produced thereof. Conclusion: This study highlighted that LAB are very promising biological candidates for reduction of mold contamination a

Background: Gari and eba, forms of cassava semolina, are mainly consumed in Nigeria and other West African countries. This study aimed to define the critical quality traits of gari and eba, to measure their heritability, to define medium and high throughput instrumental methods for use by breeders, and to link the traits with consumer preferences. The definition of a food product's profiles, including its biophysical, sensory, and textural qualities, and the identification of the characteristics that determine its acceptability, are important if new genotypes are to be adopted successfully. Results: Eighty cassava genotypes and varieties (three different sets) from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) research farm were used for the study. Participatory processing and consumer testing data on different types of gari and eba products were integrated to prioritize the traits preferred by processors and consumers. The color, sensory, and instrumental textural properties of these products were determined using standard analytical methods, and standard operating protocols (SOPs) developed by the RTBfoods project (Breeding Roots, Tubers, and Banana Products for End-user Preferences, https://rtbfoods.cirad.fr). There were significant (P < 0.05) correlations between instrumental hardness and sensory hardness and between adhesiveness and sensory moldability. Principal component analysis showed broad discrimination amongst the cassava genotypes and the association of the genotypes concerning the color and textural properties. Conclusions: The color properties of gari and eba, together with instrumental measures of hardness and cohesiveness, are important quantitative discriminants of cassava genotypes.

Background: In recent years, it has become increasingly evident that banana projects in Uganda needed to incorporate consumer preferences into the breeding pipelines to increase the acceptability of new cultivars. A trained panel used quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) as a tool to assess the sensory characteristics of thirty-two cooking bananas (Matooke). The aim was to investigate which characteristics best-described matooke for consumer acceptability. Results: Fourteen descriptors were generated. The preferred attributes of matooke were high intensity of yellow colour, homogeneous distribution of yellow colour, good matooke aroma, highly moldable by touch, moist and smooth in the mouth. ANOVA revealed significant differences in the yellowness, homogeneity of the colour, firmness, moistness, smoothness, matooke aroma, hardness, and moldability across the genotypes (p<0.05). PCA showed strong positive correlations between yellowness and homogeneity of the colour (R=0.92). Smoothness in the mouth and moldability by touch were strongly and positively correlated (R=0.88). Firmness in the mouth was well predicted by hardness by touch (R2=0.85). The matooke samples were ranked into two sensory clusters by agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC). Conclusion: The study showed attribute terms that could be used to describe matooke, and also revealed that QDA may be used as a tool during the assessment and selection of new cooking banana hybrids to identify relevant sensory attributes because of its ability to discriminate among the banana hybrids.

Fresh berries are a popular and important component of the human diet. The demand for high-quality berries and sustainable production methods is increasing globally, challenging breeders to develop modern berry cultivars that fulfill all desired characteristics. Since 1994, research projects have characterized genetic resources, developed modern tools for high-throughput screening, and published data in publicly available repositories. However, the key findings of different disciplines are rarely linked together, and only a limited range of traits and genotypes has been investigated. The Horizon2020 project BreedingValue will address these challenges by studying a broader panel of strawberry, raspberry and blueberry genotypes in detail, in order to recover the lost genetic diversity that has limited the aroma and flavor intensity of recent cultivars. We will combine metabolic analysis with sensory panel tests and surveys to identify the key components of taste, flavor and aroma in berries across Europe, leading to a high-resolution map of quality requirements for future berry cultivars. Traits linked to berry yields and the effect of environmental stress will be investigated using modern image analysis methods and modeling. We will also use genetic analysis to determine the genetic basis of complex traits for the development and optimization of modern breeding technologies, such as molecular marker arrays, genomic selection and genome-wide association studies. Finally, the results, raw data and metadata will be made publicly available on the open platform Germinate in order to meet FAIR data principles and provide the basis for sustainable research in the future.

Cocoa pod-opening delay and bean fermentation promote the organoleptic quality of chocolate. The present research investigated the changes in the volatile fingerprint of cocoa harvested at a traditional plantation. Cocoa beans extracted from 2-days pod-opening delay were simultaneously fermented for 5 days using container and then sun-dried to 7–8% moisture content at five different locations: Akoupé, San Pedro, Soubré, Djekanou and Daloa. The aromatic analysis were done on cocoa using the HS-SPME-GC/MS technique. Professional panelists evaluated the sensory perceptions of the chocolate. The results shows that cocoa fermented in both Daloa and Soubré regions were differentiated by 2,3-butanediol while those processed in other regions presented highest acetoin content. However, fermented cocoa from Soubré region exhibited most amount of 2,3-butanediol, diacetate A whereas 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine differentiated those from Daloa region. Sensory properties of chocolate were not linked to the aromatic compound precursors profile of beans. The fermentation performed in San Pédro region promote both the generation of more desirable aromatic compounds of cocoa and sensory attributes of the finished chocolate. The fermentation location generates a greater differentiation of the volatile fingerprint of cocoa and the sensory perceptions of the finished chocolate.

Coffee is deemed to be a high-risk crop in light of upcoming climate changes. Agroforestry practices have been proposed as a nature-based strategy for coffee farmers to mitigate and adapt to future climates. However, with agroforestry systems comes shade, a highly contentious factor for coffee production in terms of potential yield reduction, as well as additional management needs and interactions between shade trees and pest and disease. In this review, we summarize recent research relating to the effects of shade on (i) farmers' use and perceptions, (ii) the coffee microenvironment, (iii) pest and disease incidence, (iv) carbon assimilation and phenology of coffee plants, (v) coffee quality attributes (evaluated by coffee bean size, biochemical compounds, and cup quality tests), (vi) breeding of new Arabica coffee F1 hybrids and Robusta clones for future agroforestry systems, and (vii) coffee production under climate change. Through this work, we begin to decipher whether shaded systems are a feasible strategy to improve the coffee crop sustainability in anticipation of challenging climate conditions. Further research is proposed for developing new coffee varieties adapted to agroforestry systems (exhibiting traits suitable for climate stressors), refining extension tools by selecting locally-adapted shade trees species and developing policy and economic incentives enabling the adoption of sustainable agroforestry practices.

Rootstock is widely used for the cultivation of citrus fruits because it brings resistance or tolerance to diseases or environmental constrains and modulates the fruit quality. Polyploidization is a widespread improvement strategy in citrus. The objective was to evaluate the effect of rootstock and ploidy level on the composition of essential oils. Two trials were conducted, one displaying a 'Navelina' orange grafted on three rootstocks and a second combining two ploidy levels (di and tetraploid) of scion ('Pineapple' orange) and rootstock ('Carrizo' citrange). The composition of peel essential oil (PEO) was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, and a panel of experts analyzed its flavor variation with a triangle test approach. The rootstock influenced the yield and composition of the orange PEO, with a low impact on flavor. Neither the rootstock nor the scion ploidy level affected the PEO yield. Only the tetraploid level of the scion significantly modified the PEO composition, reducing the oxygenated compound fraction. Sensitive significant differences were detected between the reference sample (diploid scion–diploid rootstock) and the three other combinations. These results suggest that for the profiling of an aromatic flavor, the rootstock is a key element as is the ploidy level of the scion.

Cocoa pod-opening delay and bean fermentation promote the organoleptic quality of chocolate. The present research investigated the changes in the volatile fingerprint of cocoa harvested at a traditional plantation. Cocoa beans extracted from 2-days pod-opening delay were simultaneously fermented for 5 days using container and then sun-dried to 7–8% moisture content at five different locations: Akoupé, San Pedro, Soubré, Djekanou and Daloa. The aromatic analysis were done on cocoa using the HS-SPME-GC/MS technique. Professional panelists evaluated the sensory perceptions of the chocolate. The results shows that cocoa fermented in both Daloa and Soubré regions were differentiated by 2,3-butanediol while those processed in other regions presented highest acetoin content. However, fermented cocoa from Soubré region exhibited most amount of 2,3-butanediol, diacetate A whereas 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine differentiated those from Daloa region. Sensory properties of chocolate were not linked to the aromatic compound precursors profile of beans. The fermentation performed in San Pédro region promote both the generation of more desirable aromatic compounds of cocoa and sensory attributes of the finished chocolate. The fermentation location generates a greater differentiation of the volatile fingerprint of cocoa and the sensory perceptions of the finished chocolate.

Fresh berries are a popular and important component of the human diet. The demand for high-quality berries and sustainable production methods is increasing globally, challenging breeders to develop modern berry cultivars that fulfill all desired characteristics. Since 1994, research projects have characterized genetic resources, developed modern tools for high-throughput screening, and published data in publicly available repositories. However, the key findings of different disciplines are rarely linked together, and only a limited range of traits and genotypes has been investigated. The Horizon2020 project BreedingValue will address these challenges by studying a broader panel of strawberry, raspberry and blueberry genotypes in detail, in order to recover the lost genetic diversity that has limited the aroma and flavor intensity of recent cultivars. We will combine metabolic analysis with sensory panel tests and surveys to identify the key components of taste, flavor and aroma in berries across Europe, leading to a high-resolution map of quality requirements for future berry cultivars. Traits linked to berry yields and the effect of environmental stress will be investigated using modern image analysis methods and modeling. We will also use genetic analysis to determine the genetic basis of complex traits for the development and optimization of modern breeding technologies, such as molecular marker arrays, genomic selection and genome-wide association studies. Finally, the results, raw data and metadata will be made publicly available on the open platform Germinate in order to meet FAIR data principles and provide the basis for sustainable research in the future.

Coffee is deemed to be a high-risk crop in light of upcoming climate changes. Agroforestry practices have been proposed as a nature-based strategy for coffee farmers to mitigate and adapt to future climates. However, with agroforestry systems comes shade, a highly contentious factor for coffee production in terms of potential yield reduction, as well as additional management needs and interactions between shade trees and pest and disease. In this review, we summarize recent research relating to the effects of shade on (i) farmers' use and perceptions, (ii) the coffee microenvironment, (iii) pest and disease incidence, (iv) carbon assimilation and phenology of coffee plants, (v) coffee quality attributes (evaluated by coffee bean size, biochemical compounds, and cup quality tests), (vi) breeding of new Arabica coffee F1 hybrids and Robusta clones for future agroforestry systems, and (vii) coffee production under climate change. Through this work, we begin to decipher whether shaded systems are a feasible strategy to improve the coffee crop sustainability in anticipation of challenging climate conditions. Further research is proposed for developing new coffee varieties adapted to agroforestry systems (exhibiting traits suitable for climate stressors), refining extension tools by selecting locally-adapted shade trees species and developing policy and economic incentives enabling the adoption of sustainable agroforestry practices.

Rootstock is widely used for the cultivation of citrus fruits because it brings resistance or tolerance to diseases or environmental constrains and modulates the fruit quality. Polyploidization is a widespread improvement strategy in citrus. The objective was to evaluate the effect of rootstock and ploidy level on the composition of essential oils. Two trials were conducted, one displaying a 'Navelina' orange grafted on three rootstocks and a second combining two ploidy levels (di and tetraploid) of scion ('Pineapple' orange) and rootstock ('Carrizo' citrange). The composition of peel essential oil (PEO) was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, and a panel of experts analyzed its flavor variation with a triangle test approach. The rootstock influenced the yield and composition of the orange PEO, with a low impact on flavor. Neither the rootstock nor the scion ploidy level affected the PEO yield. Only the tetraploid level of the scion significantly modified the PEO composition, reducing the oxygenated compound fraction. Sensitive significant differences were detected between the reference sample (diploid scion–diploid rootstock) and the three other combinations. These results suggest that for the profiling of an aromatic flavor, the rootstock is a key element as is the ploidy level of the scion.

The physiological stage of mango maturity at harvest affects fruit quality at the time it is commercialized. The objective assessment of the mango maturity stage at harvest remains a challenge because of the multiple interactions between the visual aspect, the physicochemical composition, and the morphology of the fruit. This study aims to quantify the optimal harvest date to guarantee the maturity and quality of mango cv. 'Kent'. In this study, which took place in Korhogo in northern Côte d‟Ivoire, the maturity stage and the quality of fruits were measured on 240 Kent mangoes harvested at four different harvest dates (90, 95, 100, and 105 days after flowering). A morphological, physical, and chemical characterization (length, width, mass, soluble sugar content, dry matter, skin appearance, and mass loss) was carried out at each date on 30 fruits at harvest and 30 fruits after ripening at room temperature. The number of days necessary for ripening was quantified. The results showed that the optimal harvest date is 100 days after flowering for Kent mangoes in Côte d'Ivoire. Mangoes harvested at this date developed better organoleptic characteristics (less wrinkled skin, lower mass losses, and a shorter ripening time). Assessment of the harvest date, guaranteeing better ripening of the fruit, is of utmost importance for organizing harvests in the mango sectors in West Africa, and especially in Côte d'Ivoire.

Cassava breeding programs in Uganda do not currently select materials based on flour making quality, explaining in part the low adoption rates of many released varieties. In this study, we describe end user trait preferences, processing qualities and physicochemical properties of cassava flour. We found that higher proportion of women than men showed preference for most attributes of cassava flour quality evaluated in this study. Preference for color was 66% and 52% among women and men, respectively, while that for stickiness of Kwon was 26% (women) and 15% (men). Ease of peeling and stickiness of Kwon were key processing traits. Heap fermented flour had higher pasting temperatures, but lower viscosities than sun‐dried flour, and had lower amylose content compared to fresh root starch. The results demonstrate the importance of gender sensitive participatory evaluation of breeding materials, in tandem with physicochemical evaluation during selection of best possible candidate breeding lines.

The purpose of this review is to support breeders and food scientists by examining research carried out on end‐user preferences for gari and its derived dough product, eba, in Africa. The review focused on gari regarding the physical and chemical composition of raw cassava roots, methods of storage, the composition of gari with or without enrichment, and the sensory evaluation of gari and eba. The primary sensory attributes identified to describe gari are colour, taste, texture, aroma and flavour. Texture attribute of importance is crispiness for uncooked gari, and hand feel before consumption for eba. There was a significant correlation between the sensory characteristics of gari and the starch and cyanogenic potential (CNP) contents of the raw roots. Hence, the correlation of the end‐user preferences with the chemical composition of the cassava roots could be helpful to breeders in refining selection criteria and developing high‐throughput screening methods.

Fufu is a popular traditional fermented wet paste food product from cassava. We examined consumer preferences and quality attributes of fufu in Abia and Imo States of South‐East Nigeria, with special attention to gender differences, for the purpose of providing guidance to breeders. Data were analysed by the use of descriptive and inferential statistics. Participants for the interview were randomly selected from a list of farmers in the study area. Individual (II) interviews were conducted among 80 participants comprising 26 males (32.5%) and 54 females (67.5%). Preferences along the food chain from raw roots to final product were also obtained. Major traits influencing gender‐specific consumer preferences are related to appearance, texture and smell. Smoothness, not sticky, easy to swallow and drawability of fufu appear to be major traits that drive acceptance by both men and women. Big roots and smooth skin are prioritized for raw material. Some quality characteristics are conditioned largely by variety traits, while others can be modified by adjusting the processing methods. The complexity of producing high quality fufu makes it imperative to introduce a multi‐disciplinary approach into breeding programmes.

This study aimed at understanding users' demand for raw and boiled plantains in rural and urban areas in West and Littoral regions of Cameroon. Surveys conducted in eight rural localities consisted of key informant interviews, gender‐disaggregated focus group discussions, market and individual interviews. Processing and cooking diagnoses were done with restaurant cooks in urban areas, to know the details of plantain processing and boiling, and to understand the quality characteristics of raw plantain that give a most‐liked boiled plantain. Local favourite landraces, most cultivated landraces in Cameroon (Batard and Big ebanga) and a new CARBAP/CIRAD hybrid (CARBAP K74) were used. The preference for plantain cultivars was both gender and region‐dependent. High‐quality plantain should be mature, with big fingers and having a dark green peel colour. The fruit length and girth, pulp pH, dry matter content and firmness were found to be relevant postharvest quality characteristics for plantain breeding improvement.

User's preferences of cassava and cassava products along the value chain are supported by specific root quality characteristics that can be linked to root traits. Therefore, providing an evidence base of user preferred characteristics along the value chain, can help in the functional choice of cassava varieties. In this respect, the present paper presents the results from focus group discussions and individual interviews on user preferred quality characteristics of raw cassava roots and the derived product, gari, ‐ one of the major cassava products in Sub Saharan Africa ‐ in major production and consumption areas of Cameroon and Nigeria. Choice of cassava varieties for farming is mainly determined by the multiple end‐uses of the roots, their agricultural yield and the processing determinants of roots that support their major high‐quality characteristics: size, density, low water content, maturity, colour and safety. Processing of cassava roots into gari goes through different technological variants leading to a gari whose high‐quality characteristics are: dryness, colour, shiny/attractive appearance, uniform granules and taste. Eba, the major consumption form of gari in Cameroon and Nigeria is mainly characterized by its textural properties: smoothness, firmness, stickiness, elasticity, mouldability. Recommendations are made, suggesting that breeding will have to start evaluating cassava clones for brightness/shininess, as well as textural properties such as mouldability and elasticity of cassava food products, for the purpose of supporting decision‐making by breeders and the development of high‐throughput selection methods of cassava varieties. Women are identified as important beneficiaries of such initiatives giving their disadvantaged position and their prominent role in cassava processing and marketing of gari.

This study sought to understand user preferences of raw, boiled and steamed sweetpotato, a staple food in Uganda. A sequential methodology involving state of knowledge review, gendered food mapping, processing diagnosis and consumer testing was used in Lira and Kamwenge districts. Preferred raw sweetpotato characteristics, were large roots (≥ 3 cm diameter) with a sweet taste, smooth skin and hard texture, while mealiness, sweet taste and good sweetpotato smell were important attributes for boiled sweetpotato. Processors, mostly women, highlighted ease of peeling and sappiness of raw roots. There were gender differences in quality characteristic preferences and perceived importance. The released variety, NASPOT 8, had the highest overall liking in Kamwenge and was well‐liked in Lira. Penalty analysis of consumer data showed that sweetness and firmness were key drivers of overall liking. The results will support breeding programmes in meeting specific end‐user product profiles, selection criteria and uptake of new varieties.

Gari is a common cassava precooked dried semolina in sub‐Saharan Africa. Our study investigated the role of process parameters and mash water content on gari quality during traditional roasting stage. The statistical analysis for eight quality criteria revealed that gari quality is highly influenced by the process parameters adopted by the operators. To emphasize the twin impact of roasting parameters and mash water content, different mashes with varying water content were roasted leading to different adjustments of the roasting conditions according to the operators. When the variability of the water content becomes greater, a greater variability in the final quality of the obtained garis was observed between operators (lightness, swelling capacity, starch content, texture and color). These results suggest that technological improvements to the gari process could be achieved by appropriate management of the roasting and dewatering parameters.

This study aimed to establish the quality characteristics of raw and boiled yam by involving stakeholders along the food chain using a methodology that includes a state of knowledge review, focus group discussion and individual interviews, participatory processing diagnosis with processors and consumer testing. Predictive characteristics of yam for producing a high- and low-quality boiled yam were related to morphological or physicochemical characteristics: peeled yam discoloration and mucilage content being negatively appreciated while the ease of peeling, viscous state of cooking water and the ease of breaking yam into pieces positively valued. High-quality boiled yam should be white or yellowish, sticky to the fingers, nonfibrous, easy to chew, crumbly/friable, with a sweet taste and a good smell. The overall liking of boiled yam is greatly penalised by a too dark colour, hard to the touch, no sweet taste and no friability while eating.

Boiled pulp is a major form of consumption for plantain. We assessed instrumental (puncture test and texture profile analysis) and sensory texture attributes of 13 plantain cultivars, two cooking hybrids, and one dessert banana at different stages of ripeness after cooking in boiling water. Firmness, chewiness, stickiness, mealiness, sweetness and moistness described sensory variability, which was greater between stages of ripeness than between types of cultivars. Firmness and chewiness were well‐predicted by instrumental force and hardness (r2 > 0.72), and by soluble solid and dry matter content (r2 > 0.85). Complementary sensitivity analysis revealed that a pulp puncture force or a hardness of at least 2.1 N or of 0.3 N/mm2, was needed before a difference in firmness or chewiness could be perceived; and a Brix of 3.7 was required to ensure a detectable difference in sweetness. Rheological and biochemical predictors can be useful for breeders for high throughput phenotyping.

The physiological stage of mango maturity at harvest affects fruit quality at the time it is commercialized. The objective assessment of the mango maturity stage at harvest remains a challenge because of the multiple interactions between the visual aspect, the physicochemical composition, and the morphology of the fruit. This study aims to quantify the optimal harvest date to guarantee the maturity and quality of mango cv. 'Kent'. In this study, which took place in Korhogo in northern Côte d‟Ivoire, the maturity stage and the quality of fruits were measured on 240 Kent mangoes harvested at four different harvest dates (90, 95, 100, and 105 days after flowering). A morphological, physical, and chemical characterization (length, width, mass, soluble sugar content, dry matter, skin appearance, and mass loss) was carried out at each date on 30 fruits at harvest and 30 fruits after ripening at room temperature. The number of days necessary for ripening was quantified. The results showed that the optimal harvest date is 100 days after flowering for Kent mangoes in Côte d'Ivoire. Mangoes harvested at this date developed better organoleptic characteristics (less wrinkled skin, lower mass losses, and a shorter ripening time). Assessment of the harvest date, guaranteeing better ripening of the fruit, is of utmost importance for organizing harvests in the mango sectors in West Africa, and especially in Côte d'Ivoire.

The purpose of this review is to support breeders and food scientists by examining research carried out on end‐user preferences for gari and its derived dough product, eba, in Africa. The review focused on gari regarding the physical and chemical composition of raw cassava roots, methods of storage, the composition of gari with or without enrichment, and the sensory evaluation of gari and eba. The primary sensory attributes identified to describe gari are colour, taste, texture, aroma and flavour. Texture attribute of importance is crispiness for uncooked gari, and hand feel before consumption for eba. There was a significant correlation between the sensory characteristics of gari and the starch and cyanogenic potential (CNP) contents of the raw roots. Hence, the correlation of the end‐user preferences with the chemical composition of the cassava roots could be helpful to breeders in refining selection criteria and developing high‐throughput screening methods.

Cassava breeding programs in Uganda do not currently select materials based on flour making quality, explaining in part the low adoption rates of many released varieties. In this study, we describe end user trait preferences, processing qualities and physicochemical properties of cassava flour. We found that higher proportion of women than men showed preference for most attributes of cassava flour quality evaluated in this study. Preference for color was 66% and 52% among women and men, respectively, while that for stickiness of Kwon was 26% (women) and 15% (men). Ease of peeling and stickiness of Kwon were key processing traits. Heap fermented flour had higher pasting temperatures, but lower viscosities than sun‐dried flour, and had lower amylose content compared to fresh root starch. The results demonstrate the importance of gender sensitive participatory evaluation of breeding materials, in tandem with physicochemical evaluation during selection of best possible candidate breeding lines.

Fufu is a popular traditional fermented wet paste food product from cassava. We examined consumer preferences and quality attributes of fufu in Abia and Imo States of South‐East Nigeria, with special attention to gender differences, for the purpose of providing guidance to breeders. Data were analysed by the use of descriptive and inferential statistics. Participants for the interview were randomly selected from a list of farmers in the study area. Individual (II) interviews were conducted among 80 participants comprising 26 males (32.5%) and 54 females (67.5%). Preferences along the food chain from raw roots to final product were also obtained. Major traits influencing gender‐specific consumer preferences are related to appearance, texture and smell. Smoothness, not sticky, easy to swallow and drawability of fufu appear to be major traits that drive acceptance by both men and women. Big roots and smooth skin are prioritized for raw material. Some quality characteristics are conditioned largely by variety traits, while others can be modified by adjusting the processing methods. The complexity of producing high quality fufu makes it imperative to introduce a multi‐disciplinary approach into breeding programmes.

This study aimed at understanding users' demand for raw and boiled plantains in rural and urban areas in West and Littoral regions of Cameroon. Surveys conducted in eight rural localities consisted of key informant interviews, gender‐disaggregated focus group discussions, market and individual interviews. Processing and cooking diagnoses were done with restaurant cooks in urban areas, to know the details of plantain processing and boiling, and to understand the quality characteristics of raw plantain that give a most‐liked boiled plantain. Local favourite landraces, most cultivated landraces in Cameroon (Batard and Big ebanga) and a new CARBAP/CIRAD hybrid (CARBAP K74) were used. The preference for plantain cultivars was both gender and region‐dependent. High‐quality plantain should be mature, with big fingers and having a dark green peel colour. The fruit length and girth, pulp pH, dry matter content and firmness were found to be relevant postharvest quality characteristics for plantain breeding improvement.

User's preferences of cassava and cassava products along the value chain are supported by specific root quality characteristics that can be linked to root traits. Therefore, providing an evidence base of user preferred characteristics along the value chain, can help in the functional choice of cassava varieties. In this respect, the present paper presents the results from focus group discussions and individual interviews on user preferred quality characteristics of raw cassava roots and the derived product, gari, ‐ one of the major cassava products in Sub Saharan Africa ‐ in major production and consumption areas of Cameroon and Nigeria. Choice of cassava varieties for farming is mainly determined by the multiple end‐uses of the roots, their agricultural yield and the processing determinants of roots that support their major high‐quality characteristics: size, density, low water content, maturity, colour and safety. Processing of cassava roots into gari goes through different technological variants leading to a gari whose high‐quality characteristics are: dryness, colour, shiny/attractive appearance, uniform granules and taste. Eba, the major consumption form of gari in Cameroon and Nigeria is mainly characterized by its textural properties: smoothness, firmness, stickiness, elasticity, mouldability. Recommendations are made, suggesting that breeding will have to start evaluating cassava clones for brightness/shininess, as well as textural properties such as mouldability and elasticity of cassava food products, for the purpose of supporting decision‐making by breeders and the development of high‐throughput selection methods of cassava varieties. Women are identified as important beneficiaries of such initiatives giving their disadvantaged position and their prominent role in cassava processing and marketing of gari.

Boiled pulp is a major form of consumption for plantain. We assessed instrumental (puncture test and texture profile analysis) and sensory texture attributes of 13 plantain cultivars, two cooking hybrids, and one dessert banana at different stages of ripeness after cooking in boiling water. Firmness, chewiness, stickiness, mealiness, sweetness and moistness described sensory variability, which was greater between stages of ripeness than between types of cultivars. Firmness and chewiness were well‐predicted by instrumental force and hardness (r2 > 0.72), and by soluble solid and dry matter content (r2 > 0.85). Complementary sensitivity analysis revealed that a pulp puncture force or a hardness of at least 2.1 N or of 0.3 N/mm2, was needed before a difference in firmness or chewiness could be perceived; and a Brix of 3.7 was required to ensure a detectable difference in sweetness. Rheological and biochemical predictors can be useful for breeders for high throughput phenotyping.

This study sought to understand user preferences of raw, boiled and steamed sweetpotato, a staple food in Uganda. A sequential methodology involving state of knowledge review, gendered food mapping, processing diagnosis and consumer testing was used in Lira and Kamwenge districts. Preferred raw sweetpotato characteristics, were large roots (≥ 3 cm diameter) with a sweet taste, smooth skin and hard texture, while mealiness, sweet taste and good sweetpotato smell were important attributes for boiled sweetpotato. Processors, mostly women, highlighted ease of peeling and sappiness of raw roots. There were gender differences in quality characteristic preferences and perceived importance. The released variety, NASPOT 8, had the highest overall liking in Kamwenge and was well‐liked in Lira. Penalty analysis of consumer data showed that sweetness and firmness were key drivers of overall liking. The results will support breeding programmes in meeting specific end‐user product profiles, selection criteria and uptake of new varieties.

Gari is a common cassava precooked dried semolina in sub‐Saharan Africa. Our study investigated the role of process parameters and mash water content on gari quality during traditional roasting stage. The statistical analysis for eight quality criteria revealed that gari quality is highly influenced by the process parameters adopted by the operators. To emphasize the twin impact of roasting parameters and mash water content, different mashes with varying water content were roasted leading to different adjustments of the roasting conditions according to the operators. When the variability of the water content becomes greater, a greater variability in the final quality of the obtained garis was observed between operators (lightness, swelling capacity, starch content, texture and color). These results suggest that technological improvements to the gari process could be achieved by appropriate management of the roasting and dewatering parameters.

This study aimed to establish the quality characteristics of raw and boiled yam by involving stakeholders along the food chain using a methodology that includes a state of knowledge review, focus group discussion and individual interviews, participatory processing diagnosis with processors and consumer testing. Predictive characteristics of yam for producing a high- and low-quality boiled yam were related to morphological or physicochemical characteristics: peeled yam discoloration and mucilage content being negatively appreciated while the ease of peeling, viscous state of cooking water and the ease of breaking yam into pieces positively valued. High-quality boiled yam should be white or yellowish, sticky to the fingers, nonfibrous, easy to chew, crumbly/friable, with a sweet taste and a good smell. The overall liking of boiled yam is greatly penalised by a too dark colour, hard to the touch, no sweet taste and no friability while eating.