• Version
• Download 5
• File Size 725.91 KB
• File Count 1
• Create Date October 5, 2024
• Last Updated October 5, 2024

Comparative Scientific Studies On Nutritional Plants Of South East And South West Of Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This Research work on the Comparative Evaluation of Nutritional plants of South East and South West of Nigeria was carried on between July and December, 2023. Whereas the aim of the study is to holistically establish high profile Nutritional plants of these zones for National recognition and scientific recommendation, the specific objectives include: identification of the said plants in their domains; establishment of their proximate compositions; ascertaining the concentrations of relevant mineral elements inherent in them and undertaking a comparative analysis of these plants (quantitatively) so as to be able to produce a synchronized checklist of nutritionally beneficial plants of the nation. Study design included both survey and experimental methods. Field survey was by means of questionnaires and species identified, confirmed and validated by professionals from Botany Department; and reliability established through test, retest method, together with focused group discussion. Experimental assay was carried on using Proximate and Mineral analysis. Biostatistical evaluation was carried on using T-tests; and ANOVA. Tabulated Result showed that top Nutritional plants of the South East included: Cucurbita argyrosperma, Parkia biglobosa, Colocasia esculentum, Vigna subterranea, Cajanus cajan, Pentaclethra macrophyla, Ricinus communis, Dioscorea dumetorium, Monodora myristica and Telfairia occidentalis for south east.  Dioscorea alata, Crassocephalum crepidioides, Amaranthus viridis, Parkia biglobosa, Juglans regia, Talinum fruticosum and Cocos nucifera for the South west. There were subtle differences in proximate and mineral, constituents of plants from the two regions but the differences were not statistically significant. In summary therefore, top nutritional plants from this work include: Treculia africana, Vigna subterranean, Cajanus cajan, Dioscorea alata, Musa paradisiaca, Celosia olitorius. We have to a reasonable extent attempted a documentation of the nutritional plants of the south east and south west of Nigeria. The onus is now on individuals, Schools, Parastatals, Health institutions, Universities, and Regional governments to adopt these plants, make out lands and plant them en mass so that Nigeria has to offer in terms of plant resources to avoid the tales of woe of the past in terms of deficiency diseases, neglected tropical diseases, pregnancy and age related problem.

Keywords: Nutritional plants, Cucurbita argyrosperma, Parkia biglobosa, Cajanus cajan, Proximate.