Bambara groundnut: Utilization and Future Prospects

The Bambara groundnut (BGN) or Vigna subterranea is an extremely hardy grain legume. As it produces reasonable yields even under conditions of drought and low soil fertility, it is also a climate-smart crop. Previously underutilized, BGN is the subject of growing interest among researchers and consumers for its balanced nutritional profile. Indigenous consumers of BGN report medicinal benefits from the plant; however, such knowledge is at risk of being lost with the urbanization and changing lifestyles of younger generations.

To date, there is no comprehensive resource on the Bambara groundnut, despite market demand for plant proteins around the globe. Authored by scientists who have researched and developed patents using BGN, Bambara Groundnut: Utilization and Future Prospects aims to fill this gap. The text provides in-depth coverage on breeding, food and feed utilization, medicinal benefits and future research prospects. Drawing on both indigenous knowledge and cutting-edge research, Bambara Groundnut is the first book to fully explore the potential of this remarkable crop.

Professor  Dr. Victoria A. Jideani is a professor in the Department of Food Science and Technology at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Cape Town, South Africa. She has developed two patents using the Bambara groundnut and participated in collaborative studies on the Bambara groundnut with researchers at Wageningen University in The Netherlands.

Professor Dr. Afam I. O. Jideani is a professor in the Department of Food Science and Technology at the University of Venda in Thohoyandou, South Africa. He has participated in collaborative research on the ethonutrition and ethnomedicinal uses of Bambara groundnut with researchers at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in South Africa.