The Biochemical Arsenal of Enset (Ensete ventricosum): A Systematic Review of Composition and Processing for Enhanced Food & Nutritional Security in Africa

Africa faces the dual challenges of pervasive food and nutrition insecurity and the urgent need for climate-resilient, sustainable agricultural systems. Ensete ventricosum (enset), a perennial, drought-tolerant staple supporting over 20 million Ethiopians, possesses a rich but underexplored biochemical repertoire with potential to address both issues. However, a synthesis evaluating its composition through the integrated lenses of nutritional security and bioeconomic development is lacking.This systematic review synthesizes the biochemical knowledge of enset to assess its dual potential for enhancing food security and serving as a feedstock for a sustainable bioeconomy. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search across six databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, AGRICOLA, CAB Abstracts, Google Scholar). From 1,152 screened records, 94 studies met the inclusion criteria for qualitative synthesis. Data were extracted and analyzed thematically across four domains: macronutrients, bioactive phytochemicals, structural carbohydrates, and fermentation biochemistry.The synthesis reveals enset as a versatile biochemical platform. Its corm provides high-amylose starch (25–35% amylose) offering low-glycemic calories and prebiotic resistant starch. However, low protein content necessitates dietary complementation. Significant levels of minerals (e.g., iron, calcium) and unique bioactive compounds (e.g., antifungal phenylphenalenones) are present, though antinutrients require careful processing. Crucially, the pseudostem is an exceptional source of glucomannan (50–70% dry weight), a high-value hydrocolloid, and cellulose-rich fiber ideal for nanocellulose. Traditional fermentation ensures safety but involves a trade-off, reducing resistant starch while improving mineral bioavailability.We conclude that an integrated biorefinery model, processing the corm for enhanced foods and the pseudostem for glucomannan and biomaterials, can simultaneously address nutritional gaps and create economic value. This reframes enset from a subsistence crop into a cornerstone of a circular bioeconomy. We identify critical research gaps. including the need for optimized extraction protocols, product safety studies, and techno-economic analysis, and propose a strategic, four-pillar roadmap for future R&D. Realizing this potential requires coordinated investment and interdisciplinary collaboration to transform enset’s biological promise into tangible security and prosperity for Ethiopia and a model for climate-resilient agriculture globally.