We're pleased to announce our third Baxandall Lecture led by Visiting Fellow Professor Mercy Badu will be on Friday 22 November, 5-6pm, followed by a drinks reception, in the Umney Foyer. All are welcome. This is a free, ticketed event –register for tickets at TicketTailor here.
The title of the lecture is “Investigating the Functionality of Phytocompounds as Immune Boosters":
Attaining food security is a serious global challenge especially in Africa; reports indicate that one out of every nine people in sub-Saharan Africa do not have sufficient protein and energy in their diets. Despite the continuous advancements in food science, many low- and middle-income households continue to grapple with monotonous, staple-based diets that lack essential micronutrients, perpetuating widespread nutritional deficiencies. Recognizing this pressing issue, there is the need to search for alternative food sources with high nutritional and medicinal compounds for well-being upon consumption.
The savannah regions of Ghana are endowed with diverse oilseed-bearing fruit plants, of which previous research has underscored the substantial oil yields and protein contents of the seeds, alongside their rich mineral and bioactive compound profiles. This base information presents an opportunity to investigate nutritional and medicinal properties of these indigenous underutilised plant resource which is not directly affected by climate change.
The aim of this project is to unlock the nutritional and medicinal potential of underutilized indigenous oilseeds, specifically targeting immune enhancement properties. This research seeks to characterise the bioactive compounds found in the candidate oilseeds, and investigate the availability of nutrients associated with reduction in risk of developing chronic diseases, well-being, good satisfaction as well as ethical and environmental benefits.
Prof. (Mrs) Mercy Badu is an Associate Professor in organic and natural products chemistry at the Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana.
The Baxandall Lecture is made possible by a generous gift from Dr Leigh Baxandall (Natural Sciences - Physical, 1979). Please note, the event will be filmed.