Chemical Analysis of Tacca leontopetaloides Peels

Simplified in vitro propagation protocol for Tacca leontopetaloides (L.) Kuntze and assessment of genetic uniformity of regenerated plantlets

“…This species is native to western Africa, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia, and it is known to have been domesticated in the Pacific Islands by the local inhabitants (Ukpabi et al, 2009;Ubwa et al, 2011). Tuberous rhizomes of T. leontopetaloides contain 10-25% of starch, and they serve as an important food source for many Pacific Island cultures (Ukpabi et al, 2009;Kay, 1987;Spennemann, 1994).…”

Chemical Composition of the Marc of a Wild Tropical Plant <i>Tacca involucrata</i> (Schumach and Thonn, 1827)

“…Most of the phytochemicals present in Tacca marc like reducing sugars, flavonoids, tannin, steriods, alkaloid and saponnins have various nutritional, physiological and pharmacological uses in the body of individuals [1] [14] [17].…”

“…They also slow or even can stop the proliferation of cancer cells. [1] [14] [17]. Saponnins also help in lowering cholesterol levels thereby preventing arteriosclerosis and hypertensions.…”

“…Saponnins also help in lowering cholesterol levels thereby preventing arteriosclerosis and hypertensions. It is antitumor and antimutagenic [1]. Saponnins also interfere with the metabolism of vitamin E and causes gastroenteritis manifesting in diarrhoea and dysentery.…”

“…The two are interrelated such that hunger can lead to disease and vice versa. This is evident in the fact that there is an increase in dietary diseases among children and women, especially pregnant and lactating women when there is hunger in the community [1]. The increase in population, especially in the developing world, couple with conflicts, unstable agricultural policies and general lack of commitment to the welfare of the populace by various governments, have further compounded the problem of hunger and disease [2].…”