ABSTRACT This article examines the multifaceted issue of food security in Sub‐Saharan Africa and the critical importance of upholding rights to food in the region. It explores the challenges posed by food insecurity, analyzes existing policies and interventions, and proposes sustainable strategies to enhance food security. Despite numerous interventions, the region continues to face multifaceted challenges in ensuring the right to food for all. Our analysis integrates various dimensions of the issue, including socio‐economic factors, gender disparities, and the impact of climate change. This narrative review synthesizes evidence from published literature to compare existing policies, interventions, and sustainable strategies aimed at advancing the right to food in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Through this synthesis, the review identifies critical policy gaps, implementation challenges, emerging best practices, and underexplored areas requiring future research and policy attention. The paper also examines the vital role of international organisations and local governance in shaping food security outcomes. By integrating evidence from diverse studies and perspectives, we provide a nuanced understanding of the complex interactions between governance, climate change, socio‐economic inequalities, agricultural systems, and food access in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Our findings suggest that a multi‐sectoral, collaborative approach is imperative for advancing food security. Moreover, we propose a set of actionable recommendations and highlight potential directions for future research. This paper aims to contribute significantly to the ongoing discourse, serving as a resource for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners committed to improving food security and upholding the right to food in Sub‐Saharan Africa.

There is increasing demand for minimally processed, risk-free fruit juices necessitating novel treatments to control foodborne pathogens while preserving physicochemical and sensory attributes. This study investigates the synergistic efficacy of Lactococcus lactis-derived bacteriocin (nisin) and ohmic heating (OH) treatment against Bacillus cereus, a Gram-positive foodborne pathogen capable of forming heat-resistant spores and producing toxins during vegetative growth. The antimicrobial effectiveness was evaluated using nisin concentrations (0.1 and 0.2 mg/mL) and OH treatments applied as high voltage-short time (HVST) and low voltage-long time (LVLT) combinations in apple juice as a model acidic beverage matrix. The combination of 0.2 mg/mL nisin with HVST (60 V for 90 s) achieved complete pathogen inactivation, surpassing heat-alone treatment (90 s: 4.1 log CFU/mL reduction, p < 0.05). Synergistic treatments reduced B. cereus viability by 88.6%-93.9%, with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealing significant cell membrane damage (p < 0.05). The mild temperature achieved during OH likely contributed to maintaining juice quality attributes, including pH, glucose and dissolved oxygen levels, which showed no statistically significant changes compared with the untreated control (p > 0.05). Statistical analysis using ANOVA confirmed treatment significance (p < 0.05) based on log reductions (3.2-4.1 log CFU/mL) under optimised conditions (0.2 mg/mL nisin + 60 V/30s), demonstrating superior efficacy over heat-alone methods. These findings demonstrate the potential applicability of combining nisin and OH as a hurdle strategy to enhance microbial control in acidic beverage systems while maintaining product quality.

The evolutionary analysis of bacterial species harbouring 16S rRNA sequences detected in the oil bean seeds of Ugba (Pentaclethra macrophylla) was carried out. The food product has a high socio-economic relevance to communities where it is consumed. Species such as Kurthia gibsonii, Stenotrophomonas geniculata and Alcaligenes nematophilus found in Ugba may have occurred in the environment and entered the sample in the field during or before harvest. The phylogenetic analysis of 35 sequences showed that some strains of the same species resolved into different monophyletic groups, suggesting species divergence or distinct evolutionary lineages. The species K. gibsonii was found to be the earliest ancestor following sequence-based ancestral analysis, suggesting that it was present in the analysed samples before other bacteria. The Ugba seeds appear to harbour a diverse group of bacteria and will benefit from metagenomic investigations as well as studies of the mechanism of survival and succession to reveal the true nature of the resident flora. This will help safeguard public health and highlight the organism's relevance to food safety surveillance and microbial evolution. Increased knowledge of the resident organisms will also lead to the improvement of fermentation techniques and enhance the quality of the final product.

This debate examines how climate change presents complex and compounding challenges to food safety and nutrition within food systems in the United Kingdom. It highlights that risks extend far beyond calories, as environmental hazards such as extreme heat, humidity, drought, flooding, and rising CO₂ levels interact in ways that amplify microbial growth, drive mycotoxin outbreaks, introducing pests, pathogens and microbes to crops and livestock, as well as diluting the micronutrient content of staple crops and altering the nutritional quality and diversity of diets. The overlapping pressures pose a challenge to existing risk assessment models, which were developed in such a way that they handle single hazards at a time. Recent evidence indicates that the compound effect of multiple stressors may destabilize health outcomes, trade systems, and economic stability, as well as exacerbate health inequalities. This necessitates new approaches to food governance and collaboration with food system actors. To address that, this paper recommends the incorporation of climate-hazard tiers into regular food safety checks, revision of food-based dietary guidelines and surveillance systems to incorporate the threat of nutrient dilution of food systems, and investment in predictive analytics, such as AI applications and satellite observations, to forecast food safety crises in the region and globally. It also suggests a compromise between decarbonizing the cold chain and microbiological safety, as well as supporting calls to expand the National Risk Register to consider nutrient security risks, as well as food-borne disease, in times of disaster. This Debate asks how UK food-safety and nutrition governance should evolve in light of compound climate hazards that simultaneously influence microbial risks, mycotoxin pressures and nutritional security and recommends three immediately actionable steps: introduce a climate-hazard tiering approach, deploy predictive analytics for horizon scanning, and validate cold-chain set-points under climate stress.

Abstract This review explores the potential of blockchain technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to transform agricultural supply chains by improving traceability, accountability, and operational efficiency. Blockchain enables secure and tamper‐proof recording of transactions, thereby enhancing transparency and trust among stakeholders. In parallel, AI, supported by data analytics, machine learning, and the Internet of Things, facilitates predictive decision‐making and process optimization. When integrated, these technologies present opportunities to address long‐standing issues such as fraud, inefficiency, and lack of trust, while also promoting environmental sustainability by minimizing waste, reducing operational costs, and improving resource management. Enhanced transparency further strengthens consumer confidence in food systems, as customers can verify compliance with safety and sustainability standards. However, widespread adoption faces critical barriers, including high initial costs, evolving legislation, and concerns around data security and privacy. Despite these challenges, blockchain and AI hold considerable promise in reshaping agricultural supply chains into more resilient, reliable, and sustainable systems. The insights presented in this review is of particular value to policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers interested in technological innovations that support food security, sustainability, and global agricultural resilience.

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a major cause of respiratory illness among vulnerable populations worldwide, yet no licensed vaccine or specific antiviral therapy is currently available. This study aimed to design novel multi-epitope mRNA vaccine candidates against HMPV using an immunoinformatics-based approach. Globally representative HMPV glycoprotein sequences were analyzed to predict cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL), helper T-lymphocyte (HTL), and linear B-cell (LBL) epitopes. Selected epitopes were assembled into two multi-epitope mRNA vaccine constructs. The constructs were further evaluated for antigenicity, allergenicity, toxicity, and physicochemical properties using in silico tools. Structural stability and immune receptor interactions were assessed through molecular modeling and molecular docking analyses against Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 (TLR2 and TLR4). Both vaccine constructs demonstrated high antigenicity, while remaining non-toxic and non-allergenic, with favorable physicochemical characteristics. Structural analyses indicated stable conformations of the vaccine models. Molecular docking studies revealed strong binding affinities with TLR2 and TLR4, suggesting their ability to effectively stimulate innate and adaptive immune responses. The two proposed multi-epitope mRNA vaccine constructs showed promising immunogenic, safety, and structural properties in silico, highlighting their potential as candidate vaccines against HMPV. These findings provide a strong foundation for further experimental validation and future vaccine development.

Nisin is a promising antimicrobial peptide widely used in food preservation due to its efficacy against Gram-positive spoilage and pathogenic bacteria. Although Nisin is increasingly applied in the food sector, the biopeptide suffers from instability within food matrixes and can rapidly lose its antimicrobial potential following interaction with food biomolecules. Thus, it is necessary to investigate approaches that can be employed to extend the stability and activity of Nisin. Hence, the aim of this study was to develop and characterise a chitosan–alginate polyelectrolyte microencapsulation system capable of enhancing Nisin stability while retaining antimicrobial activity. The microencapsulation of Nisin was achieved by pre-gelation of alginate using calcium chloride and subsequent direct electrostatic interaction between cationic Nisin and chitosan with pre-gelled anionic alginate at pH 5.0. Following microcapsule formation, physicochemical and structural characterisation was performed using Zeta potential determination and measurement of the polydispersity index (PDI) via dynamic light scattering. SEM micrographs were used to confirm morphology, while Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were utilised to assess chemical integrity and functional group preservation of encapsulated Nisin. Following this, stable microcapsules with diameters ranging from 150–200 nm and smooth surface morphology were obtained. Microcapsule formation was strongly influenced by formulation parameters, particularly pH, calcium ion concentration, and chitosan content, with deviations from optimal acidic conditions (< pH 5.0) resulting in aggregation, increased polydispersity, and reduced encapsulation efficiency. The microcapsules were monodispersed (PDI ≈ 0.30) and electrostatically stable, exhibiting a Zeta potential of approximately + 36 mV. These microcapsules remained stable over a prolonged storage period of 21 days under refrigerated conditions while retaining antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus . Encapsulation efficiency reached approximately 65%, confirming effective retention of Nisin within the polymer matrix. Overall, the findings demonstrate that chitosan–alginate ionic gelation is a non-denaturing and effective encapsulation strategy for extending the functional stability of Nisin. These microcapsules show strong potential as natural antimicrobial delivery systems for food and beverage applications, particularly in acidic food matrices, with implications for improved food safety and shelf-life extension.

The increasing demand for sustainable and efficient protein sources in animal feed has intensified the exploration of single-cell proteins (SCP) as a promising alternative to traditional protein sources such as soy, fishmeal, and corn. SCP, derived from microbial biomass produced through fermentation processes, offers a range of environmental and economic advantages, particularly in reducing the pressure on agricultural land, water, and other natural resources. This chapter investigates the technological advancements, challenges, and opportunities associated with SCP production, with a focus on its integration into sustainable feed systems. Although significant progress has been made in the development of SCP production technologies, scaling up the process to meet global demands remains a major hurdle due to high operational costs, energy requirements, and competition with conventional feed ingredients.

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is one of the most important technologies for converting organic waste into bioenergy, mostly in the form of biogas, and offers a wide range of environmental, economic, and public health benefits. This review provides a detailed description of the process of AD and its key biological phases, namely, hydrolysis, acidogenesis, acetogenesis, and methanogenesis, and emphasizes why microbial consortia are important in the breakdown of organic matter. The review analyzes the different pretreatment methods that enhance substrate digestibility and increase biogas yield, along with the key operational parameters that affect the operation of a process, including operating temperature, organic loading rate (OLR), pH, mixing efficiency, and hydraulic retention time (HRT). Moreover, there are metabolic difficulties associated with the choice of feedstock, feedstock stability, interference by product, and also the economic viability. The scalability and versatility of the technology are evidenced by several case studies used to show successful applications of AD systems in various fields, such as the treatment of olive pomace and livestock waste. Moreover, the inclusion of AD in the circles of the economic system is also deliberated as a good avenue towards the sustainable management of waste. The growing environmental use of this technology is evidenced by the growing innovations in the field, including membrane‐based AD systems to control pathogens and odors. Overall, AD is one of the sustainable solutions to the issues of waste treatment, the production of renewable energy, and the reduction of the impact of climate change on the entire world.

This study proposed an Ohmic-Accelerated Steam Distillation (OASD) process and systematically evaluated the effects of electric-field strength (0–40 V/cm) and NaCl concentration (0–0.10 M). The key findings demonstrate that the combined electric field and ionic enhancement significantly accelerated mass transfer and markedly improved the recovery of major bioactive compounds. An optimal synergy was found at 15 V/cm with 0.01 M NaCl, which yielded extraction efficiencies of 41 % for antioxidants and 30 % for phenolics while substantially reducing extraction time from >5.5 h (without electric field and/or NaCl) to 50–60 min. Scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed increased cell-wall permeability with moderate structural disruption, consistent with enhanced mass transfer. Under these conditions, HPLC quantified recoveries of key bioactives-caffeic acid 48 %, ferulic acid 69 %, vanillic acid 67 %, and tannins 75 %. CLSM fluorescence analysis revealed a significant decrease in antioxidant-related regions (from 7899 to 1252 px2), further confirming enhanced extraction efficiency. Compared to conventional thermal extraction approaches, the optimized OASD method significantly improved bioactive recovery while preserving cellular integrity and reducing thermal degradation. This approach offers strong potential for applications in functional foods and health-related products, contributing to by-product valorization and the advancement of the circular economy in the food industry.

The rise of antibiotic-resistant infections presents significant health and economic challenges, affecting areas like food safety, bioremediation, and textiles. This review highlights the effectiveness of antimicrobial nanocomposites against viruses, bacteria, and fungi. In these materials, nanoparticles are integrated into a matrix—such as metals, ceramics, or polymers—to improve mechanical and thermophysical properties. Polymer nanocomposites are particularly promising for combating pathogens due to their high specific surface area, chemically incorporated antimicrobial agents, and unique physicochemical properties. The review examines recent advancements in engineered nanocomposites, highlighting their key antimicrobial mechanisms—such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, membrane disruption, ion release, factors influencing efficacy such as particle size, surface chemistry, and composite architecture. Previous studies demonstrate the cost-effectiveness and high activity of these nanocomposites. The review discusses affordable synthesis methods with strong antibacterial effects, covering composition, performance, and future prospects. It evaluates techniques like melt intercalation and sol-gel processes in terms of their mechanisms, biocompatibility, and economic feasibility, and underscores the potential of nanomaterials in addressing antibiotic resistance, along with future directions for antimicrobial nanocomposite applications.