Nutraceutical Uses of Traditional Leafy Vegetables and Transmission of Local Knowledge from Parents to Children in Southern Benin

Abstract

This study assessed differences on the uses and transmission of traditional knowledge (TK) about three traditional leafy vegetables (Crassocephalum crepidioides (Juss. ex Jacq.) S. Moor, Launaea taraxacifolia (Willd.) Amin ex C. Jeffrey, and Vernonia amygdalina Del.) of the Asteraceae family over two generations in three villages: Adjohoun, Dangbo, and Pobè (southern Benin). Individual semi-structured ethnobotanical interviews of 360 respondents were conducted in the villages with young girls, boys, and their two parents. The relative frequency of citation, use value, and Jaccard similarity index were used for data analyses. Vernonia amygdalina was the most commonly known and used vegetable in all villages, while L. taraxacifolia was confined to Pobè. Factors such as village of survey, generation, and gender affected the use value of the species, but the patterns of recognition and cultivation were species-specific. Leaves were the most used plant part. Traditional knowledge was largely acquired from parents (90% of citation), and both mothers and fathers transmitted a similar amount of knowledge to their progenies. The knowledge on V. amygdalina was transmitted to a larger scale than knowledge of C. crepidioides and L. taraxacifolia. Irrespective of the species, transmission of TK was higher in Pobè. Gender and generation knowledge dynamic hypothesis is species-specific. TK transmission was species-specific too and may be linked to the local importance and use of those resources. These findings will inform strategies and programs for the sustainable use and conservation of leafy vegetables in local communities and national research and development institutions.

Utilization of Spider Plants (Gynandropsis gynandra, L. Briq) amongst Farming Households and Consumers of Northern Namibia

“…The three clusters related to the ranking of the uses of spider plants suggested that sociolinguistic groups close to each other were more likely to rank the utilization traits in a similar way, which could imply that the clustered groups shared similar cultural beliefs. This observation is consistent with the findings of other researchers [44][45][46], who found that traditional knowledge on the use of indigenous vegetables was more likely to be passed on amongst relations. In this study, sociolinguistic groups from Omusati formed the first cluster, Ohangwena, Oshana and Oshikoto formed the second cluster, while the third cluster comprised sociolinguistic groups from Okavango West.…”

Socio-demographic factors and ethnobotanical knowledge associated with sesame management practices across agroecological zones in Benin

“…For the ethnobotanical analysis, indices such as the total use value (UVTotal), food use value (UVFood), medicinal use value (UVMed), social use value (UVSoc), cultural worship (UVCc), plant part use value (PPUV) and fidelity level (FL) were computed. The indices related to the use value (UV) and PPUV were computed following the formulas used by Akakpo and Achigan-Dako (2019); the FL was computed following the formula used by Ugulu (2012).…”

Pyrrolizidine alkaloid contamination of food in Africa: A review of current trends and implications

“…2 c) are commonly used fresh or dried for the preparation of sauces, soups and stews due to their purported health benefits [ [55] , [56] , [57] , [58] ]. Particularly in Benin, C. rubens and C. crepidioides (popularly called “Gbolo”) are used as traditional leafy vegetables in sauces as they are believed to treat malaria, fever and indigestion [ 59 , 60 ]. Similarly, in Nigeria, the leaves and stems of C. rubens and C. crepidioides (popularly called “Ebolo”) are commonly consumed as vegetable in soups or sauces and for medicinal purposes [ 61 ].…”