AUTHOR=Adewale Babasola Daniel , Nnamani Catherine Veronica 

TITLE=Introduction to food, feed, and health wealth in African yam bean, a locked-in African indigenous tuberous legume

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems

VOLUME=Volume 6 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2022.726458

DOI=10.3389/fsufs.2022.726458

ISSN=2571-581X

ABSTRACT=African yam bean, Sphenostylis stenocarpa Hochst Ex. A. Richmond, Harms, an indigenous tuberous legume that is endemic to Africa is a nutritious human food, a competent protein-alternative in livestock feed and nutri-phamaceutical crop for health and safety. The documented inherent maximum crude protein in African yam bean pulse and tuber is respectively 30% and 20%. The Amino acid, mineral and vitamins’ profile in the two economic products are well-balanced; this justifies its admirable promises as food and nutritional security crop. Some unfavorable constraints lowered its competitive ability with contemporary grain legumes. “Cowpea revolution” further shaded it awareness; such that attention and focus on it became poor, access to its product reduced due to reduced cultivation and production; it therefore became neglected and hence underutilized.  Concept development and research investigation majorly on agronomy and nutrition of the crop has greatly contributed to its awareness in the last two decades. However, some important information about the crop were subjectively documented. African yam bean still suffers from uncoordinated research, it is yet to encounter the favor of the policy makers and promoters. The present review adds to the soliciting voice for its utilization as it unveils some of its unbelievable food, feed and health wealth.