Special Topics

In recent years, sorghum has gained increasing attention not just as a climate-resilient staple crop, but also as a source of high-value bioactive compounds with applications beyond the food and feed sectors. A growing body of research highlights the potential of sorghum storage proteins—particularly kafirins—as a sustainable source of antioxidant peptides and cosmeceutical ingredients.

As interest grows in sustainable, plant-based alternatives to synthetic materials, sorghum’s seed storage protein, kafirin, is gaining recognition not just for its agronomic relevance but also for its remarkable biomaterial properties. Once considered a low-value byproduct of sorghum processing, kafirin is now being explored as a key ingredient in high-performance bioplastics, nanomaterials, and drug delivery systems.

Sorghum, a climate-resilient crop traditionally used as a staple in Africa and Asia, is gaining attention as a promising ingredient in baked goods across the globe. Despite its widespread cultivation, particularly in drought-prone regions, sorghum remains underutilized in Western food systems—most of it relegated to animal feed. However, a growing body of research is changing that narrative.

Sorghum, a resilient and nutrient-dense ancient grain, is gaining recognition for its numerous health benefits and potential as a staple food in modern diets.