RMRDC harps on raw material in Nigeria

TO create more awareness for different raw materials in the country, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), has on display at the Lagos International Trade fair, research study carried out by Nigerian scientists waiting for interested investors.The council has on display products, which can be produced in Nigeria using available fruits. They are Citrus, pineapple, mango and tomato single strength juices and concentrates.It also showed investment profile on Thaumatococcus daniellii known as Ewe Eran in Yoruba language.The plant is a rhizomatous flowering herb that is native to tropical rain forest zone in West Africa. The plant is made popular by being the natural source of Thaumatin: an intensively sweet protein, which is of interest to the world in the development of sweeteners and flavours that are in high demand from the food and confectionary industries.The crop is commonly found wild in the southwest and southeast region of Nigeria. Aside from the leaves being used for wrapping and boiling, no other commercial use has been discovered.However, latest research and development confirmed that the fruit of the plant contains a protein sweetener. This discovery has elicited increase interest from the food industry in view of the possibility of using a stable protein source sweetener as against the carbohydrate sugar source.A Research Scientist with the council, Mrs. Ojiakor Uche told The Guardian at the trade fair that it has become important that RMRDC created more awareness of its research findings their investment potentials.She said: 'We're using the trade fair to inform people about different raw materials that can be sourced locally. We have been receiving visitors to our stand and we direct them to different states where certain types of raw materials are in abundance.
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