Nigerian Food Scientist Pioneers Shelf-Stable Tigernut Milk
In a significant move for nutrition and sustainability, Dr. Chinasa Okorie-Humphrey, a food chemist at Abia State Polytechnic in Aba, has achieved a breakthrough in stabilizing tigernut milk.
This innovation addresses the major hurdle of the drink’s extremely short shelf life—often less than a day—which has prevented the popular Nigerian street refreshment from becoming a mainstream commercial product.
Dr. Okorie-Humphrey’s research, which utilizes her background in biotechnology and food chemistry, aims to transform tigernut milk from an artisanal beverage into a globally competitive, affordable plant-based dairy alternative.
The stakes of this work are high, aligning with global efforts to combat malnutrition and climate change:
* Malnutrition: Over 149 million children globally suffer from stunted growth. Accessible, nutritious plant-based milks are a crucial tool in addressing this issue.
* Economic Potential: The global plant-based milk industry is forecast to grow to over $47 billion by the end of the decade, a movement Dr. Okorie-Humphrey argues Nigeria must actively participate in, given its abundance of tigernuts.
* Food Sovereignty: The tigernut is a hardy, drought-resistant crop, making its stable milk form a reliable source of nutrition for rural communities where other staple crops often fail.
Green Chemistry Philosophy
The food scientist’s philosophy is rooted in “green chemistry,” ensuring her stabilization methods minimize waste, conserve energy, and protect consumers.
She frames her research not just as a laboratory project, but as a bridge between smallholder farmers and the global market. Successfully stabilizing and packaging tigernut milk could provide income for farmers, affordable nutrition for households, and a sustainable, climate-friendly alternative for the planet.
Dr. Okorie-Humphrey’s findings have already garnered international recognition, winning awards and fellowship placements.
Her work highlights the immense potential of African-led solutions and local crops to make a global impact on sustainable food systems.
