Micronutrients Potential of Underutilized Vegetables and Their Role in Fighting Hidden Hunger

Abstract

Background. Innumerable underutilized vegetable (UV) species have been utilized as food and as folklore medicine since time immemorial. Such vegetables have been part and parcel of the food dishes, especially to the ancient rural and periurban dwellers. However, researchers and agricultural scientists have given little or no attention to such vegetables, as to what constitutes their potentials in curbing hidden hunger. To achieve the global Sustainable Development Goals, Tanzania needs to address the issue of food insecurity through the use of not only grains, fruits, and edible insects but also through embracing the UVs. The overall objective of this study was to screen the indigenous vegetables with nutritional and health claims from communities in Kilimanjaro and Morogoro regions. Methods. Quantitative data were obtained by conducting laboratory nutrient and antinutrients composition analyses as per standard Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) methods. This was carried out to determine the moisture content, micronutrient, and antinutrients composition of the selected UVs. Results. The nutritional and medicinal claims of the selected UVs mentioned during interviews were validated by data obtained from laboratory nutrient and antinutrients composition analyses. Chemical analyses revealed that vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, and C contents ranged from 2.50-6.67, 18.94-182.95, 0.18-0.76, 0.09-0.43, and 46.52-198.08 mg/100 g, respectively. Minerals, on the other hand, Ca, Fe, Mg, and Zn contents ranged from 60.28-421.03, 4.28-21.05, 191.12-1151.91, and 4.28-21.10 mg/100, respectively. Moisture content, oxalates, and phytates contents ranged from 78.59-95.49%, 1.28-3.15, and 1.64-6.18 mg/100 g, respectively. Conclusion. The findings from the study added credence to the selected UVs that they are rich sources of micronutrients and crucial in daily human diet to curb hidden hunger.

Traditional Practices and Consumer Habits regarding Consumption of Underutilised Vegetables in Kilimanjaro and Morogoro Regions, Tanzania

“…Criteria for selection of the four vegetables were preference of use over the others, availability of the vegetable in the region during the study period, and the belief of having both nutritional and medicinal potentials. In a study by Chacha and Laswai [ 9 ], the vegetables were found to be rich sources of vitamins (A, B 1 , B 2 , B 3 , and C) and minerals (Ca, Fe, Mg, and Zn).…”

“…Wild vegetables play significant roles in the livelihood of many communities in developing countries as food and for medicinal purposes [ 7 ]. They contribute to human welfare significantly as they have huge quantities of vitamins and minerals like folic acid, vitamin A, and vitamin C and potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc, respectively [ 8 , 9 ]. Besides, they have numerous health potentials; for instance, amaranth vegetables are consumed and they are useful in protection against respiratory disorders, defective vision, recurrent colds, retarded growth, and functional sterility [ 10 ].…”

Integrating Omics and Gene Editing Tools for Rapid Improvement of Traditional Food Plants for Diversified and Sustainable Food Security

“…Several other new studies have recently tried to investigate the nutritional composition of TFPs, which will have huge implications on future crop improvement and breeding strategies. For example, nutrient and antinutrient composition analyses of Launaea cornuta, Vigna vexillata, Momordica foetida and Basella alba performed by Chacha et al [ 412 ] showed that they are rich in vitamin A, B1, B2, B3 and C and minerals such as Ca, Fe, Mg and Zn. The rich sources of micronutrients in the underutilized crops promise their capacity to abolish hidden hunger in the future.…”

Linking Omics and Gene Editing Tools for Rapid Improvement of Traditional Food Plants for Diversified Foods and Sustainable Food Security

“…Several other new studies have recently tried to investigate the nutritional composition of traditional food crops which will have huge implications on future crop improvement and breeding strategies. For example nutrient and antinutrient composition analyses Launaea cornuta, Vigna vexillata, Momordica foetida, Basella alba performed by Chacha et al [177] showed that they are rich in vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, and C and minerals such as Ca, Fe, Mg, and Zn. The rich sources of micronutrients in the underutilized crops promise their capacity to abolish hidden hunger in future.…”