Indigenous vegetables consumed as lalapan by a Sundanese ethnic group in West Java, Indonesia: Potential, traditions, local knowledge, and it's future

Hernawati, Diana; Putra, Rinaldi Rizal; Meylani, Vita

doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2022.09.007

Cited by 9 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…It is comparable to salad dressing or salsa, adding avor and enhancing the overall taste of the dish. While initially associated with food culture in the West Java region, lalap is now essential in Indonesian cuisine and includes all types of vegetables [24]. However, in the speci c context of Sundanese communities, lalap encompasses both wild/non-cultivated and semi-domesticated edible plants.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring wild, underutilized, and neglected edible plants in West Java, Indonesia: Ethnobotanical assessment, use trends, and potential for improved nutrition

Rahayu,

Dwiartama,

Rosleine

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Background As one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, Indonesia contains over 19,000 plant species, including wild, underutilized, and neglected edible plants (WUNEPs). These WUNEPs complement people’s diets and substitute for common vegetables, particularly in rural areas. However, in West Java, the biodiversity of WUNEPs is declining, which coincides with public health issues related to malnutrition. Because they often contain higher levels of micronutrients than domesticated crops, WUNEPs can be used as a healthy dietary alternative, especially given the growing prevalence of micronutrient deficiency and diet-related diseases among the Indonesian population. Despite the potential benefits of addressing these issues, limited research has been conducted on this topic. This study aims to document the diversity of WUNEPs in rural West Java, assess communities’ perceptions regarding their availability and importance, and determine factors influencing their consumption. Methods The ethnobotanical surveys involved interviewing 20 purposively selected key informants with sound traditional knowledge of useful WUNEPs. The nutritional compositions of these foods, obtained from literature and analysis, are discussed, as is their contribution to the recommended dietary allowances of certain nutrients for men and women. Information regarding the perceptions, attitudes, and correlates of WUNEP consumption was collected through a semi-structured questionnaire from 107 Sundanese women in three villages in the region. Results The study documented 53 species of WUNEPs from 27 families, including leafy vegetables, spices/condiments, fruits, roots/tubers, and flowers. The documented WUNEPs have superior nutritional value and provide essential nutrients compared to common vegetables. Most respondents agreed that consumption has declined due to reduced availability, a lack of knowledge regarding the identification and nutritional benefits of the species, time constraints, and a preference for improved varieties. The main motivations for using WUNEPs were their availability as free food, medicinal value, nostalgic value, and preferred taste. WUNEP consumption frequency among the studied Sundanese communities is not associated with age, body mass index, dietary diversity, occupation, or household expenditure. Conclusions WUNEPs can potentially improve diets and create a more sustainable food system. As natural resources decline, promoting biodiversity for improved nutrition and ensuring their sustainable use is important. This requires collaboration among communities, governments, and stakeholders.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The West Java region is geographically surrounded by mountains, which contributes to its high fertility and abundant growth of various plant species [24].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring wild, underutilized, and neglected edible plants in West Java, Indonesia: Ethnobotanical assessment, use trends, and potential for improved nutrition

Rahayu,

Dwiartama,

Rosleine

et al. 2023

Preprint

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“…As can be seen from Table 1, in general, various Lalab, including B. oleracea, C. sativus, L. flava, C. caudatus, V. unguiculata and P. vulgaris, are also commonly consumed by the people of Cijambu, almost the same as those commonly consumed by the Sundanese people in Bogor, Cianjur, and Tasikmalaya (Amrinanto et al 2019;Hernawati et al 2022).…”

Section: Using and Processing Vegetable Plantsmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…The culture of the Sundanese people, therefore, to consume a variety of Lalab is influenced by local ecosystem factors, such as cold mountainous areas and fertile soil, which is very good for the growth of various vegetable plants 2020;Mulyanto et al 2018;Rahman 2018). The variety of vegetable plant species (Lalab) commonly consumed by rural people of West Java is very high (Santosa et al 2015;Cahyanto et al 2019;Septiani et al 2020;Hernawati et al 2022). These vegetable plants are obtained by rural people from various types of agroecosystems, including homegardens, gardens, and rice fields, as well as from forests that grow wild (Cahyanto 2019;Silalahi 2019;Suwartapradja et al 2023).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The tradition of consuming various types of vegetables (Lalab) in the Sundanese is very good for health and food sovereignty. That is because several types of vegetable plants contain rich nutrients, such as vitamins, and several types of vegetable plants also have important functions for human health (Amalia and Marta 2018;Hendariningrum 2018;Amrinanto et al 2019;Iskandar et al 2020;Hernawati et al 2022;Kodir and Moektiwardoyo 2022). In addition, the availability of various types of vegetable plants in various agroecosystems, such as homegarden, which has multiple ecological and socio-cultural functions (Galhena et al 2013;Mulyanto et al 2018;Suwartapradja et al 2023); can act as food sovereignty and food security of the rural area (Kaswanto and Nakagoshi 2014;Gbedomon et al 2017;Amalia and Marta 2018;Sharma et al al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gastronomic ethnobotany of traditional vegetables among the Sundanese in rural West Java, Indonesia

ISKANDAR,

IRAWAN,

MULYANTO

et al. 2023

Biodiversitas

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Abstract. Iskandar BS, Irawan B, Mulyanto D, Iskandar J, Afinanda A, Rajab B. 2023. Gastronomic ethnobotany of traditional vegetables among the Sundanese in rural West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 3932-3950. Sundanese people in West Java have been known for their tradition of consuming various vegetable plants (Lalab). This study aims to elucidate the Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) on various vegetable plants, folk classification, and use and processing of vegetable plants for family use in the rural Sundanese community in Cijambu Village, Tanjungsari Sub-district, Sumedang District, West Java, Indonesia. This study employed mixed qualitative and quantitative methods with an ethnobotanical and gastronomic approach. The results showed that 67 different local varieties (landraces) of vegetable plants were documented from 65 species, representing 56 genera and 27 families that the Sundanese people of Cijambu commonly use. These vegetable plants can be classified into three categories: vegetable source, part used, and use and processing of vegetables. The people obtain their vegetables from various sources, such as their homegardens, gardens, rice fields, Perhutani agroforests, and other non-farming sources, including markets, small village shops, and vegetable sellers. The parts of vegetable plants usually consumed by the people of Cijambu Village can be divided into eight parts: the bulb, flower, fruit, leaf, rhizome, root/tuber, seed, and shoot. The vegetable plants are traditionally consumed as fresh raw salad and cooked vegetables, spices, and at least 12 main or basic types of Sundanese food meals, namely various Acar, Asinan, Buntil, Karedok, Lodeh, Lotek, Rujak, Sambel, Sayur/Angeun, Semur, Tumis/Oseng, and Urab with a total of 58 kinds of food meals. At the same time, various Sundanese chili sauces (Sambel) were documented in at least 14 types. Based on ethnobotanical gastronomy, the Sundanese community's cultural practice of consuming Lalab results from a complex interaction between human communities, food, and their local environment.

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Exploring unconventional food plants used by local communities in a rural area of West Java, Indonesia: ethnobotanical assessment, use trends, and potential for improved nutrition

Rahayu,

Sujarwo,

Irsyam

et al. 2024

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

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Background As one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, Indonesia contains over 25,000 plant species, including unconventional food plants (UFPs). These plants are integral to the dietary practices of rural communities, providing essential nutrients often overlooked in modern diets. However, the use of UFP is declining, with both their dietary and cultural values being undermined. In rural West Java, this decline in UFP biodiversity coincides with public health challenges related to malnutrition. This study aims to document the diversity of UFPs used by local communities in rural West Java, assess their nutritional value, and explore their consumption practices. Methods Data were collected using mixed methods, including interviews with 20 key informants and food frequency questionnaire administered to 107 women in three villages in the area. The nutritional compositions of documented UFPs were obtained from literature and analysis. Bivariate correlation was used to analyze the relationships between UFP consumption frequency and potential correlates. Results The study documented 52 species of UFPs from 29 families, many of which are rich in nutritional value. About half of respondents (56%) consumed UFPs moderately (2–3 times a week). UFP consumption frequency had a strong correlation (r = 0.70) with associated knowledge (r = 0.70, p < 0.01) and a weak correlation with age (r = 0.240, p = 0.015), livestock possession (r = 0.260, p = 0.008), and family size (r = − 0.220, p = 0.02). Motivations for UFP consumption included availability as free food (33%), medicinal value (26%), nostalgic value (23%), and preferred taste (18%). Most respondents (92%) agreed that consumption has declined compared to the past, with perceived reduced availability and lack of knowledge cited as the primary reasons for the declining trend. Conclusions UFP use is common in the study area, where local communities value these plants for their critical roles in diet, medicine, and culture. Given their significant potential to meet dietary needs, educating and raising awareness about UFPs can enhance their consumption and contribute to food and nutrition security.

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Indigenous vegetables consumed as lalapan by a Sundanese ethnic group in West Java, Indonesia: Potential, traditions, local knowledge, and it's future

Cited by 9 publications

References 47 publications

Exploring wild, underutilized, and neglected edible plants in West Java, Indonesia: Ethnobotanical assessment, use trends, and potential for improved nutrition

Exploring wild, underutilized, and neglected edible plants in West Java, Indonesia: Ethnobotanical assessment, use trends, and potential for improved nutrition

Gastronomic ethnobotany of traditional vegetables among the Sundanese in rural West Java, Indonesia

Exploring unconventional food plants used by local communities in a rural area of West Java, Indonesia: ethnobotanical assessment, use trends, and potential for improved nutrition

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