Potential of Underutilized Garden Cress (Lepidium Sativum L.) Seeds for Fortification of Teff Injera for Improving Nutritional Security and Human Health in Ethiopia:

A Review

Abstract

The demand for gluten-free foods is certainly increasing. Teff (Eragrostis tef [Zucc.] Trotter) is one of gluten-free cereal crops. The interest in teff has been increasing noticeably due to its very attractive nutritional profile and gluten-free nature of the grain, making it a suitable substitute for sorghum, maize, and other cereals in their food applications. The possible value-addition and food fortification of teff injera using neglected and underutilized seed crops such as garden cress among Ethiopian communities now started to be used at the household level. Of course, there is scanty and very limited empirical evidence on the use of garden cress in food fortification of teff at the household level. This is largely because of a negligence of local micronutrient provision initiatives at the household level. Very few initiatives are in place to promote localized fortification options among rural and urban communities. This review paper consolidated existing indigenous knowledge on potential food fortification, value addition of small grains in general, and neglected garden cress crops in particular. The review explores the fortification potential of garden cress for nutrition enhancement. Such study recommends the promotion of traditional medicinal crops particularly garden cress crop production, their value addition, and their use in the fortification of cereal food products to complement proteins, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. This will significantly contribute in alleviating malnutrition and healing power for different diseases.