Endogenous Knowledge of Four Leafy Vegetables Used by Rural Populations in Benin

Abstract

Leafy vegetables are sources of diet diversification and could contribute to food and nutritional security in African rural areas. However, in some places, little is known about if, how, and why leafy vegetables are consumed. Processing and preservation methods, food forms, and consumption determinants of four leafy vegetables (Sesamum radiatum, Ceratotheca sesamoïdes, Acmella uliginosa and Justicia tenella), known to contribute to the diet of rural populations in the Center and Northern parts of Benin, were investigated. Three hundred randomly selected households were investigated, using rapid appraisal and quantitative survey methods, descriptive statistics and correspondence analysis. Processing methods to prepare sauces varied depending on sociocultural groups. Cooking of fresh leaves predominated, while sun drying was the usual practice of preserving these leafy vegetables. Consumption frequencies were associated with sociocultural groups, food habits, and availability in living areas.

Ethno-ecological Variability in the Consumption of Leafy Green Plants in the Republic of Benin

“…The information collected during this research indicates beneficial properties related to use of traditional leafy vegetables in household food systems. These findings confirm the findings of others who have reported on the dietary and medicinal benefits of leafy vegetables [19,5,2,8,9,11,10,17,12]. Amaranth, African basil and African eggplant were the most consumed by respondent; findings consistent with [2] who also determined that Amaranth, African basil and African eggplant were amongst the top five of frequently used leafy vegetables in all phyto-geographical zones of Republic of Benin.…”

“…Consumption of Amaranth, African basil and African eggplant, in southern part of the country, was related to ethno-botanical knowledge of socio-cultural groups [6]. Similar observations were made by [19] and [17] on consumption of other traditional green leafy vegetables in northern areas of the country. Likewise, previous reports demonstrated that dietary habits depended on interactions between foods availability, cultural identity, geospatial environment and consumers' spending power [19,5,2,6,20].…”

“…1, Table 1). Households were randomly selected in each village, using bottle twirling method as described by Sossa-Vihotogbé, et al [17]. From these groups, 500 women from various age and socio-cultural groups (N-24) and localities were identified.…”

Bio-efficacy of medicinal plants used for the management of diabetes mellitus in Gabon. An ethnopharmacological approach

“…Indeed, in a rural area, endogenous knowledges being more preserved [150], people resort, culturally, to the use of traditional medicine and herbal drugs are socioeconomically acceptable [151,152]. …”

Phénologie et biologie florale deSesamum radiatumSchumach. & Thon., un légume feuille traditionnel en voie de domestication au Bénin

“…L'espèce est actuellement en cours de domestication par les populations rurales au Bénin (Etèka et al 2011). Hormis quelques travaux conduits sur la sélection de sites pour la conservation in situ, la germination des semences, et les connaissances endogènes des populations sur les propriétés culinaires (Adéoti et al 2009;Etèka et al 2010;Vihotogbé-Sossa et al 2012). Aucune étude n'a encore été réalisée sur la biologie des plants de l'espèce au Bénin.…”