Stinging nettles provide low-cost quality nutrition for alleviating malnutrition. Previous research on stinging nettles focused mainly on the nutritional quality of fresh leaves. In this study, the effect of drying method on macronutrients, mineral content, ascorbic acid, β-carotene content and total phenols content and antioxidant activity were investigated. The contribution of fresh, oven dried or freeze dried stinging nettle leaves to the required daily value for the nutrients were also determined. Oven drying of nettle leaves resulted in a higher loss of β-carotene and ascorbic acid content compared to freeze drying. In contrast, the total phenols content and total antioxidant activity were higher in oven dried stinging nettle leaves compared to freeze dried leaves. Overall, freeze dried and oven dried nettle leaves can be considered as a rich source of Ca, Mg and vitamin A; a good source of vitamin C, Fe, and Mn; and a source for Mg and K. Stinging nettle leaves could potentially be used as a cheap natural source of antioxidants and for addressing micronutrient malnutrition.
Background
Stinging nettle, Urtica simensis, has a wide range of distribution in the highlands of Ethiopia with untapped potential for a sustainable supply of healthy and nutritious food. This study was conducted to document ethnobotanical uses of U. simensis and the associated traditional knowledge of the indigenous people and to identify the factors limiting harvesting and utilization of stinging nettle in North Shewa (R4), Bale and Arsi zones of the Oromia region, central and southeastern highlands of Ethiopia.
Methods
Thirteen districts were purposively selected from the three zones and a total of 130 respondents were sampled, with consideration of gender, age, occupation, and wealth status. Data were collected using semistructured interviews, tour-guided field observations, and focus group discussions. IBM SPSS Statistical software package was used to analyze ethnobotanical data.
Results
Pearson’s chi-square analysis showed that there is a significant association (P < 0.05) between zones and districts in the ethnobotanical knowledge of use categories. Stinging nettle plants have an average use value index of 0.91 with a central role (FL = 44.8%) as a source of food and fodder. Cultural norms and values followed by lack of knowledge and stinginess were the main limiting factor for harvesting and consumption of U. simensis. Cultural norms and values showed significantly higher correlations with the various uses of U. simensis (r2 = 0.931, p < 0.001) indicating the stigma related to stinging nettle being associated as poor man food or famine food were probably a major limiting factor for the utilization of U. simensis.
Conclusions
Future strategic policies should consider U. simensis as a source of food and fodder to fight food insecurity and improve the wellbeing of society. There is a need for local level and countrywide awareness creation, domestication, and future research on value addition and processing for effective utilization of the plant.
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