Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.

Food and nutrition insecurities and malnutrition in the developing countries call for the identification of sustainable sources of food. The necessity for countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to be self-sustaining in the fight against malnutrition is of crucial importance to maintain their autonomy. To counteract the devastation of malnutrition, whilst ensuring food security for the SSA region, researchers nowadays suggest pathways such as the Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) for sustenance. IKS in food processing practices form a bedrock of a community's composite and collective wisdom, which is passed through generations. Maize (Zea mays) is the staple food of Zimbabwe and is used in the production of several traditional foods for the whole household and for weaning children (1). Unfortunately, maize is low in protein, essential minerals (such as calcium, potassium, iron and zinc), essential amino acids (lysine and tryptophan) and essential fatty acids (2,3). Maize fortification with inexpensive sources of proteins is suggested strategy to help alleviate the ever-increasing problems of malnutrition in developing countries (4). Additionally, the current maize-based diet could also contribute to the onset of cardiometabolic traits (CTs) such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes (5). Edible insect's nutritional composition has been studied and it is concluded that are a valuable source of nutrients including essential amino acids, mineral content and essential fatty acids. The benefits of insect powders against malnutrition have been practised in some regions of the country. Despite the intervention showing observable nutrition changes in children, this claim has not been scientifically proven yet. However, the mechanistic link between insect consumption and health is missing. Knowledge of these aspects could promote a broader utilisation of insects in SSA countries. The proposed project aims to contribute to enhance the nutritional status of school-aged children (SAC) (7-11 years) in low socio-economic communities in Zimbabwe by developing new insect-based porridge through modification and upscaling of existing local recipes. To ensure sustainability and availability of the edible insects for processing into the porridge, the project seeks to strengthen the local insect value chains through upscaling some of the traditional rearing techniques being practised by existing mopane worm farmers in Zimbabwe. Despite malnutrition, childhood overweight and obesity is a serious public health problem worldwide (and in the communities of interest) in the 21st century. For the current study, besides focus on linear growth we will also incorporate social behaviour change communication approach to promote healthy eating and learners active lifestyles. We will test the effects of the insect-based food on cognitive function (school performance) and weight status and CTs of SAC based on a single-blinded RCT. This project builds on wealth of existing indigenous knowledge systems, experience of women insect experts that traditionally engage in insect rearing, and includes their active participation in research design, recipe experimentation and product innovation. The improving and upscaling of the traditional mopane worms rearing technologies will satisfy emerging demand while ensuring sustainability by reducing over-reliance on wild collections. Improved local recipes and modified insect-based products will enhance consumer acceptance towards insect consumption leading to increased customer demand, which would improve livelihoods and nutritional status in low socio-economic communities. 1.MUDIMU, G. 2002. Zimbabwe food security issues paper. 2.MBATA et al 2009. African Journal of Food Science 3, 107-112. 3. NUSS & TANUMIHARDJO. 2010. Comprehensive Rev. in Food Science and FoodSafety, 9. 4. TONTISIRIN et al. 2002. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 61, 243-250. 5. ORDOVAS & CORELLA 2004. Annu. Rev. Genomics Hum. Genet., 5, 71-118

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.

Many problems in environmental and soils research require techniques that quantify the soil micro-environment. It has become increasingly apparent that we need novel techniques to complement other techniques that often study soils at spatial scales that are too coarse. At the microscopic scale in a soil, bacteria and their food source or oxygen supply, for example, are spatially separated, even at relatively high densities of both. Fortunately, recent technological advances allow us to unravel the physical, chemical, and biological heterogeneity of soils, which combined with modelling techniques, enables us to make sense of the complexity of soil systems. Soil physics and soil chemistry are highly interdependent, with the spatial distribution of chemical species often heterogeneously distributed and intertwined with soil structure. Examples include the role of metal complexes, oxides and clay minerals in the formation and stabilization of aggregates, the soil organic mineral interactions in gley soils and gleyic features in poorly drained soils, or soils contaminated with metals. The opacity of soil has hampered progress in our understanding of physico-chemical processes in soils. To date, our understanding of the soil micro-environment relies heavily on the concept of soil aggregates. Advances in the use of X-ray CT, however, enable quantification of the internal structure of soils at microscopic scales without physical disruption. Similarly, chemical analyses often take place after homogenizing relatively large soil samples. Even studies with small samples of soils are effectively bulk analyses and a mechanistic understanding will remain lacking as long as techniques do not advance to microscopic scales. Recently, microscopic and micro-spectroscopic analyses have begun to address this. However, these techniques to date are restricted to small samples (a few mm in diameter) and often require access to synchrotron facilities. Rapid progress, however, may be possible if we are able to combine non-invasive and invasive techniques that operate at microscopic scales. In this proposal, we will make use of state of the art X-ray CT facilities to quantify the soil structure in situ at a resolution of 8 micrometres. We will then prepare soil sections to obtain 2-D spatial maps of the distribution of elements in the same soil samples using SEM-EDX. First we will make horizontal slices through soil to obtain sequential 2-D maps that are quantified with SEM-EDX. Then we will locate this surface within the 3-D physical structure characterised with X-ray CT, and use statistical modelling to integrate in between the 2-D planes. We will apply the techniques to soils amended with black carbon and kaolinte, keeping selected applications in mind during the development. The combination of these two techniques will add significantly to our understanding of the processes involved in C sequestration and soil structural dynamics and may provide means to test hypothesised theories on the formation of macro- and micro-aggregates in soil and the stability of biochar. This will be important for studies of C storage in soils and how this will be affected by climate change and soil management.

To improve productivity by recovering bioactive compounds with chemoprotective properties from out-grade fruits for use in a ‘stand-alone’ nutraceutical supplement and as a value adding ingredient in a number of food industries such as dairy & baking.