The goal of this study was to further understanding of the ecology and propagation of an important wild food resource (Vatovaea pseudolablab (Harms.) Gillett of the community of Loodokilani, Kajiado District Kenya and by extension, contribute to its sustainable use. / Vatovaea pseudolablab is found in occasional, yet distinct patches in Lookidalani and these patches may be associated with a particular soil-water regime. The associated soils are moderately developed, dark brown (7.5YR 3/2, Munsell) clayloams, with small (5.61 mm), angular blocky aggregates. The patches were moderately covered (30%) with medium-sized stones (9.5 cm). / Woody and leafy cuttings from wild stock were collected and rooted easily using a minimum of technological inputs. Roofing percentages were better under the hotter and drier conditions in Kilinito. / In conclusion, the data gathered for this study were analyzed within the framework developed by Amold et al. (1985) for evaluating sustainable use strategies for indigenous plants. The low densities of V. pseudolablab found within the patches coupled with the high grazing pressure make it unlikely that wild resources could sustain higher usage. / This study highlights some of the greatest methodological problems facing ethnobotanical, and related, research in pastoral communities. More attention should be directed towards developing research methodologies to further our understanding of wild food plants in pastoral communities.

Looking at the use of plants as food reflects how humankind has fashioned nature. There has been a significant change in production patterns from hunter-gathering through subsistence agriculture to technologically advanced commercial agriculture with a subsequent reduction in the diversity of plants used as food. A parallel trend in consumption patterns has occurred, from home-based food processing for subsistence through small- scale production to large-scale industrial processing and the commodification of food. The overall result of such trends is a narrowing of the food resource base and an increasing reliance on processed foods at the expense of traditional diets, accompanied by increasing diet-related health risks. This research is an ethnographic case study on the use of indigenous food plants by the community of Tuku A village in the Eastern Cape using interviews and observations as the main data collecting strategies. A nutritional analysis of some wild food plants was also carried out. An inventory of more than 70 food plant species was compiled, with the knowledge of such plants found among both the elderly and the youth. The incorporation of this knowledge into education systems is recommended. Of the wild food plants documented, some were non-indigenous indicating the dynamic nature of indigenous knowledge. Some wild spinach were left to grow amongst cultivated food plants, hinting at some form of ‘domestication’ in process. This observation together with the observation that wild fruit trees were selectively conserved highlights the possibility of the continued use of wild food contributing to conservation of botanical diversity. Community use of indigenous food was found to be diminishing. Stigmatisation of indigenous food plants, urbanisation, formal education, changes in lifestyle, and media were some of the factors possibly influencing this dietary shift. The community made links between diet and health, which correspond to modern scientific knowledge, with modern diet being lamented for ill health. The nutritional analysis revealed that wild food plants do contain essential dietary nutrients, an area recommended for further research.

No description available.

This study elicits and documents knowledge of the natural environment amongst two rural Black communities in Natal namely, the districts of Maphumulo and Ingwavuma.Twenty members of these communities who are older than 60 years of age were interviewed, as older people are considered by the researcher to be important repositories of environmental knowledge. This study records a variety of animals hunted in these communities and discusses various activities associated with this activity. It examines the gathering and the use of wild edible plants like fruits and spinach, and of wild plants alleged to have medicinal value. It reviews indigenous knowledge related to custom beliefs and prohibitions as well as traditional laws associated .with animals and trees. It also considers how this knowledge can contribute towards the development of Environmental Education in South Africa. The data was deduced from the responses elicited from semi-structured interviews. The data was analyzed qualitatively.

This work is a school-based case study conducted amongst learners of a rural High School and the immediate community in Whittlesea in the Eastern Cape where I teach. The research was conducted by using different research methods such as worksheets, questionnaires, interviews, practical activities and observations as well as photographs to investigate three indigenous wild local vegetable food plants (imifino). The fundamental assumption of the research is that, imifino can be looked after and cared for, to become valuable vegetable food plants which can be used as supplements to the cultivated vegetable food plants (umfuno). The question was: How could this concept be brought into the curriculum? It had also been assumed that bringing knowledge of imifino into curriculwn contexts could be of benefit to South African learners. The study produced a variety of findings: • There is a general feeling that those who eat imifino are the poor. • There is a lack of interest among women interviewed in the preparation process, for example going to pick the food plants from the fields, washing them and preparing the leaves as food. • AmaXhosa males look upon eating imifino with contempt. • Some males among the younger generation are beginning to overlook tradition and are eating imifino. • Inclusion of indigenous agricultural knowledge in the curriculum was supported by learners and community members. Learners have interest in knowing about indigenous food plants. • Learners feel as Africans that they must learn about the indigenous food plants in school in order not to lose knowledge of these plants completely. • The study also identified that interpretation of learning outcomes with an indigenous knowledge focus, requires careful attention to socio-cultural factors, and not just technical/ practical factors. Previous knowledge of learners and community members about imifino was mobilized to develop a sample OBE learning programme unit (LPU /Lesson plan) for the Grade 10 FET of Agricultural Science curriculum. The case study illustrates that Learning outcome 3 of the Agricultural Science subject can be achieved if educators involve learners and community members in developing learning programmes.

Thesis (M.Sc.(Agriculture)) -- University of Limpopo, 2007 / Refer to document / The Cannon Collins Educational Trust of South Africa

South Africa has over 19 500 different indigenous plant species. Most of these are of ethnobotanical significance and are still used by local rural communities as medicine, food and for making beverages. The relatively little research that has been conducted on indigenous plant species has focused mainly on their medicinal potential. However, in view of the rapidly growing size of the global and local beverage industry and their constant search for new products, beverage-making indigenous plant species may have commercial development potential. To date, no detailed studies have been conducted on these plants, especially in the species-rich Limpopo province. The aim of this study was, therefore to evaluate the potential of indigenous plants for commercial beverage production. In order to achieve this, a survey was conducted in the Limpopo province to identify beverage-making plants and to document beverage preparation methods. Selected beverages were analysed and evaluated for their nutrient and sensory characteristics and a market product acceptability survey was conducted to identify those beverages with the greatest potential for development. Sixty three different beverage-plant species were identified in three study areas within the Limpopo province. These were used for the preparation of teas, fruit juices and alcoholic beverages. Plants that received further research attention were selected on the basis of their status as indigenous plants, frequency of use, nature of harvesting methods and availability. Some of the selected beverages were found to be rich in nutrients, especially with respect to vitamin C and mineral content. Furthermore, sensory analyses and market surveys indicated that four species, namely, Doyvalis caffra, Garcinia livingstonei, Grewia flavescens and Englerophytum magalismontanum have potential for further development for the beverage industry while Athrixia phylicoides has commercialisation potential as a herbal tea. However, further research is required to improve and refine preparation methods and to ensure compliance with quality standards. The availability of sufficient plant material for the industry must also be ensured. This research has indicated that South African indigenous plants have untapped market potential for the beverage industry which, if developed sustainably, could contribute to economic growth of the rural parts of South Africa. / Environmental Sciences / D. Ed. (Environmental Management)

This study was conducted in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. It is a qualitative case study located within the interpretive paradigm and was carried out over a period of a year. The theory implicit in the interpretive paradigm is of human beings as interpreters and constructors of a meaningful world. Thus, the focus of this study was on investigating the benefits of indigenous ways of knowing about wild food plants (imifino) in conjunction with hands-on activity-based lessons. This was done with the view to promote a conceptual understanding of nutrition and conservation in the Natural Sciences. The transformation of the school curriculum in South Africa called Curriculum 2005 (C2005) underpinned by the outcomes-based education (OBE) philosophy also triggered this study. The C2005 and OBE emphasise that learners’ prior everyday knowledge should be taken into account during the teaching and learning processes. The intention of the curriculum is to promote the idea of grounding knowledge in local contexts, while being sensitive to global imperatives. Although the acquisition of western knowledge has been and still is invaluable to all, on its own, it has been incapable of responding adequately to modern society in the face of massive and intensifying disparities, untrammeled exploitation of resources, and rapid depletion of the earth’s natural resources. Essentially, indigenous knowledge systems represent both a heritage and resource that should be protected, promoted, developed and, where appropriate, conserved. It is a resource that should serve the present and succeeding generations as many people’s cultural practices still rely on the use of wild plants. Within this context it should be borne in mind that the overexploitation of natural resources threatens not only biodiversity but also local traditional knowledge systems and ultimately cultural heritage; and research has a role to play in this regard. The research process in this study evolved into two main phases. The initial phase involved mobilising Grade 7 learners’ prior everyday knowledge on wild food plants (imifino). This led to the second phase of the research project, which was aimed at developing concepts through three hands-on activity-based lessons. I invited a community member to give a lesson on what imifino is and how to collect and prepare it, with the belief that the involvement of parents and community members in learners’ education can help bridge the gap between everyday life and school science. It is for these reasons that I believe that the constructive perspective can provide an appropriate methodological framework, conceptual structure and terminology for analysis of teaching and learning activities on the use of wild food plants in this study. The data generation techniques used in this study were questionnaires, observations and interviews (semi structured and focus group). A wide range of data generation techniques were employed to crystallise and validate the data generated using triangulation. The results from the analysed data revealed that consideration of indigenous ways of knowing in conjuction with hands-on practical activities enhanced interaction and learning among the learners. Also, linking of scientific knowledge to learners’ everyday lives was useful in fostering meaning-making and conceptual development.

South Africa has over 19 500 different indigenous plant species. Most of these are of ethnobotanical significance and are still used by local rural communities as medicine, food and for making beverages. The relatively little research that has been conducted on indigenous plant species has focused mainly on their medicinal potential. However, in view of the rapidly growing size of the global and local beverage industry and their constant search for new products, beverage-making indigenous plant species may have commercial development potential. To date, no detailed studies have been conducted on these plants, especially in the species-rich Limpopo province. The aim of this study was, therefore to evaluate the potential of indigenous plants for commercial beverage production. In order to achieve this, a survey was conducted in the Limpopo province to identify beverage-making plants and to document beverage preparation methods. Selected beverages were analysed and evaluated for their nutrient and sensory characteristics and a market product acceptability survey was conducted to identify those beverages with the greatest potential for development. Sixty three different beverage-plant species were identified in three study areas within the Limpopo province. These were used for the preparation of teas, fruit juices and alcoholic beverages. Plants that received further research attention were selected on the basis of their status as indigenous plants, frequency of use, nature of harvesting methods and availability. Some of the selected beverages were found to be rich in nutrients, especially with respect to vitamin C and mineral content. Furthermore, sensory analyses and market surveys indicated that four species, namely, Doyvalis caffra, Garcinia livingstonei, Grewia flavescens and Englerophytum magalismontanum have potential for further development for the beverage industry while Athrixia phylicoides has commercialisation potential as a herbal tea. However, further research is required to improve and refine preparation methods and to ensure compliance with quality standards. The availability of sufficient plant material for the industry must also be ensured. This research has indicated that South African indigenous plants have untapped market potential for the beverage industry which, if developed sustainably, could contribute to economic growth of the rural parts of South Africa. / Environmental Sciences / D. Ed. (Environmental Management)

Tesis por compendio / [ES] La Tesis Doctoral con el título "Caracterización nutricional y aromática de especies infravaloradas de hoja comestible" ha planteado como objetivo principal el estudio de plantas infravaloradas silvestres inherentes a dos épocas del año. En este trabajo se tipificaron las características nutricionales y aromáticas en Portulaca oleracea L. (verdolaga) y Porophyllum ruderale (Jacq.) Cass (quirquiña), como plantas infravaloradas propias de la estación primavera-verano, así como en Tropaeolum majus L. (capuchina), Stellaria media (L.) Vill (pamplina), Sonchus oleraceus L. (cerraja), Diplotaxis erucoides (L.) DC (wasabi mediterráneo), Chenopodium album L. (cenizo), como plantas inherentes a la estación otoño-invierno. Este estudio ha incluido la caracterización y comparación de la calidad nutricional, así como el contenido de distintos compuestos bioactivos. Además, se ha investigado sus perfiles volátiles como calidad aromática distintiva. Este análisis químico cuantitativo y organoléptico tiene el fin de potenciar el consumo tradicional de estas especies o su utilización como posibles fuentes de compuestos funcionales, y al mismo tiempo como nuevos cultivos sostenibles. Este objetivo principal se ha dividido en los siguientes objetivos específicos: 1) optimización de los distintos métodos analíticos que caracterizan las muestras objeto de estudio; 2) caracterización de compuestos de interés nutricional y funcional; 3) identificar los compuestos volátiles como característica aromática de las especies; 4) en las plantas de primavera-verano evaluar las diferencias entre la composición nutricional y los perfiles polifenólicos en condiciones de crecimiento silvestre y bajo técnicas de cultivo orgánico. Las partes aéreas de las siete plantas fueron recolectadas en el paraje natural de la Marjal dels Moros (Sagunto, Valencia) durante las campañas agrícolas de 2020 y 2021. Todas las especies han destacado por un alto contenido en fibra y carbohidratos. El mineral prominente en todas las especies ha sido el hierro y el zinc. El contenido elevado de antioxidantes totales se encontró en la especie P. oleracea del período primavera-verano y en la especie T. majus del período de otoño-invierno. Se observaron niveles uniformes de compuestos fenólicos totales, mientras que el contenido de clorofilas es significativamente mayor en las especies del período primavera-verano. El estudio del perfil volátil reveló la presencia de 37 compuestos diferentes que se agruparon en 11 familias químicas, de las cuales más abundantes han sido los bencenoides, seguidos por los aldehídos de cadena media. La especie de mayor diferenciación entre todas ha sido P. ruderale. En los perfiles polifenólicos de las plantas inherentes al periodo de primavera-verano se identificaron 10 compuestos fenólicos que se agruparon en dos categorías: ácidos hidroxicinámicos y flavonoides. El compuesto más abundante resultó ser el ácido clorogénico, seguido del ácido p-cumárico (P. ruderale) y del ácido cafeico (P. oleracea). Los compuestos flavonoides más abundantes fueron quercetina y miricetina. Los resultados de este estudio proporcionan una base para la caracterización de los compuestos nutricionales, bioactivos y volátiles de las siete especies infravaloradas. Todas las especies demostraron ser una fuente potencial de microelementos minerales, además de una fuente prometedora de componentes bioactivos como antioxidantes, compuestos fenólicos y clorofilas. Este estudio es el primer informe que evalúa los perfiles volátiles y la identificación de los aromas diferenciadores. La calidad nutricional y su prometedora cantidad de compuestos funcionales contribuirán en gran medida al conocimiento de estas plantas que podrían formar parte de una alimentación saludable. Además, por sus valores organolépticos, podrían contribuir a la diversificación de los ingredientes gastronómicos y rescatar la calidad de los productos tradicionales. / [CA] La Tesi Doctoral amb el títol "Caracterització nutricional i aromàtica d'espècies infravalorades de fulla comestible" ha plantejat com a objectiu principal l'estudi de plantes infravalorades silvestres inherents a dues èpoques de l'any. En aquest treball es van tipificar les característiques nutricionals i aromàtiques a Portulaca oleracea L. (verdolaga) i Porophyllum ruderale (Jacq.) Cass (quirquinya), com a plantes infravalorades pròpies de l'estació primavera-estiu, així com a Tropaeolum majus L. (caputxina) ), Stellaria mitjana (L.) Vill (pamplina), Sonchus oleraceus L. (serralla), Diplotaxis erucoides (L.) DC (wasabi mediterrani), Chenopodium album L. (cennis), com a plantes inherents a l'estació tardor-hivern . Aquest estudi ha inclòs la caracterització i comparació de la qualitat nutricional, així com el contingut de diferents compostos bioactius. A més, s'han investigat els seus perfils volàtils com a qualitat aromàtica distintiva. Aquesta anàlisi química quantitativa i organolèptica té la finalitat de potenciar el consum tradicional d'aquestes espècies o la seva utilització com a possibles fonts de compostos funcionals, i alhora com a nous cultius sostenibles. Aquest objectiu principal s'ha dividit en els objectius específics següents: 1) optimització dels diferents mètodes analítics que caracteritzen les mostres objecte d'estudi; 2) caracterització de compostos dinterès nutricional i funcional; 3) identificar els compostos volàtils com a característica aromàtica de les espècies; 4) a les plantes de primavera-estiu avaluar les diferències entre la composició nutricional i els perfils polifenòlics en condicions de creixement silvestre i sota tècniques de cultiu orgànic. Les parts aèries de les set plantes van ser recol·lectades al paratge natural de la Marjal dels Moros (Sagunt, València) durant les campanyes agrícoles de 2020 i 2021. Totes les espècies han destacat per un alt contingut en fibra i carbohidrats. El mineral prominent a totes les espècies ha estat el ferro i el zinc. El contingut elevat d'antioxidants totals es va trobar a l'espècie P. oleracea del període primavera-estiu ia l'espècie T. majus del període de tardor-hivern. Es van observar nivells uniformes de compostos fenòlics totals, mentre que el contingut de clorofil·les és significativament més gran en les espècies del període primavera-estiu. L'estudi del perfil volàtil va revelar la presència de 37 compostos diferents que es van agrupar en 11 famílies químiques, de les quals han estat més abundants els bencenoides, seguits pels aldehids de cadena mitjana. L'espècie de major diferenciació entre totes ha estat P. ruderale. Als perfils polifenòlics de les plantes inherents al període de primavera-estiu es van identificar 10 compostos fenòlics que es van agrupar en dues categories: àcids hidroxicinámics i flavonoides. El compost més abundant va resultar ser l'àcid clorogènic, seguit de l'àcid p-cumàric (P. ruderale) i de l'àcid cafeic (P. oleracea). Els compostos flavonoides més abundants van ser quercetina i miricetina. Els resultats daquest estudi proporcionen una base per a la caracterització dels compostos nutricionals, bioactius i volàtils de les set espècies infravalorades. Totes les espècies van demostrar ser una font potencial de microelements minerals, a més d'una font prometedora de components bioactius com a antioxidants, compostos fenòlics i clorofil·les. Aquest estudi és el primer informe que avalua els perfils volàtils i la identificació de les aromes diferenciadores. La qualitat nutricional i la quantitat prometedora de compostos funcionals contribuiran en gran mesura al coneixement d'aquestes plantes que podrien formar part d'una alimentació saludable. A més, pels seus valors organolèptics podrien contribuir a la diversificació dels ingredients gastronòmics i rescatar la qualitat dels productes tradicionals. / [EN] The main objective of the Doctoral Thesis entitled "Nutritional and aromatic characterization of undervalued edible leaf species" was the study of undervalued wild plants inherent to two seasons of the year. In this work, nutritional and aromatic characteristics were typified in Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) and Porophyllum ruderale (Jacq.) Cass (quirquiña), as undervalued plants inherent to the spring-summer season, as well as in Tropaeolum majus L. (nasturtium), Stellellum ruderale (Jacq.) Cass (quirquiña), and Tropaeolum majus L. (nasturtium). (nasturtium), Stellaria media (L.) Vill (chickweed), Sonchus oleraceus L. (sowthistle), Diplotaxis erucoides (L.) DC (Mediterranean wasabi), Chenopodium album L. (ash), as plants inherent to the autumn-winter season. This study has included the characterization and comparison of the nutritional quality, as well as the content of different bioactive compounds. In addition, their volatile profiles have been investigated as a distinctive aromatic quality. This quantitative chemical and organoleptic analysis aims to enhance the traditional consumption of these species or their use as potential sources of functional compounds, and at the same time as new sustainable crops. This main objective has been divided into the following specific objectives: 1) optimization of the different analytical methods characterizing the samples under study; 2) characterization of compounds of nutritional and functional interest; 3) identification of volatile compounds as an aromatic characteristic of the species; 4) in spring-summer plants to evaluate the differences between nutritional composition and polyphenolic profiles under wild growth conditions and under organic farming techniques. The aerial parts of the seven plants were collected in the natural site of Marjal dels Moros (Sagunto, Valencia) during the 2020 and 2021 agricultural campaigns. All species were noted for their high fiber and carbohydrate content. The prominent mineral in all species was iron and zinc. High total antioxidant content was found in P. oleracea species from the spring-summer period and in T. majus species from the autumn-winter period. Uniform levels of total phenolic compounds were observed, while the chlorophyll content is significantly higher in the species of the spring-summer period. The study of the volatile profile revealed the presence of 37 different compounds that were grouped into 11 chemical families, of which the most abundant were benzenoids, followed by medium-chain aldehydes. The species with the highest differentiation among all was P. ruderale. In the polyphenolic profiles of the plants inherent to the spring-summer period, 10 phenolic compounds were identified and grouped into two categories: hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonoids. The most abundant compound was chlorogenic acid, followed by p-coumaric acid (P. ruderale) and caffeic acid (P. oleracea). The most abundant flavonoid compounds were quercetin and myricetin. The results of this study provide a basis for the characterization of the nutritional, bioactive and volatile compounds of the seven undervalued species. All species proved to be a potential source of mineral trace elements, as well as a promising source of bioactive compounds such as antioxidants, phenolic compounds and chlorophylls. This study is the first report to evaluate volatile profiles and the identification of differentiating aromas. The nutritional quality and their promising amount of functional compounds will greatly contribute to the knowledge of these plants that could be part of a healthy diet. Moreover, due to their organoleptic values, they could contribute to the diversification of gastronomic ingredients and rescue the quality of traditional products. / Fukalova Fukalova, T. (2022). Caracterización nutricional y aromática de especies infravaloradas de hoja comestible [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/190999 / Compendio