Use of wild edible and nutraceutical plants in Raya-Azebo District of Tigray Region, northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Although there is a wide use of wild edible plants (WEPs) in Ethiopia, very little work has so far been done, particularly, in the Tigray Region, northern Ethiopia, to properly document the associated knowledge. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to document knowledge and analyze data related to the use of wild edible and nutraceutical plants in Raya-Azebo District of Tigray Region. The district was prioritized for the study to avoid the further loss of local knowledge and discontinuation of the associated practices because of the depletion of wild edible plants in the area mainly due to agricultural expansion and largely by private investors. Methods A cross-sectional ethnobotanical study was carried out in the study District to collect data through individual interviews held with purposively selected informants, observation, market surveys, and ranking exercises. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were employed to analyze and summarize the data using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. Results The study documented 59 WEPs, the majority of which (57.63%) were sought for their fruits. Most of the WEPs (49 species) were consumed in the autumn, locally called qewei, which includes the months of September, October, and November. Ziziphus spina-christi L. Desf., Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. and Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller were the most preferred WEPs. Both interviews and local market surveys revealed the marketability of Opuntia ficus-indica, Ziziphus spina-christi, Ficus vasta Forssk., Ficus sur Forssk., and Balanites aegyptiaca. Of the total WEPs, 21 were reported to have medicinal (nutraceutical) values, of which Balanites aegyptiaca and Acacia etbaica scored the highest rank order priority (ROP) values for their uses to treat anthrax and skin infections, respectively. Conclusions The current investigation demonstrated the wide use of WEPs in the district. In future nutritional composition analysis studies, priority should be given to the most popular WEPs, and nutraceutical plants with the highest ROP values.

Ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants in Dibatie district, Metekel zone, Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, western Ethiopia

“…This finding revealed that WEPs were mainly collected in the January, May, February, and December months and relatively rare in September and October. Contrary to the current study, the study conducted by [ 23 ] in Raya-Azebo district, northern Ethiopia, described September and October as the main harvesting months for wild edible plants. In another study [ 9 ], March, April, and May months were reported as the major harvesting periods in Mieso district, eastern Ethiopia.…”

“…Rich Dhoqunu gurracha (AO) Malvaceae Sh F Fr U Rv,Fm [ 9 , 12 , 15 , 17 , 21 , 24 , 25 ] BA-102 Grewia mollis Juss. * Qoriya (Shi) Malvaceae T B,F Fr,Ck Bf,M,U,Lu,Ts Ow,Rv [ 11 , 14 , 23 , 32 , 34 , 36 ] BA-35 Justicia schimperiana (Hochst. ex Nees) T. Anderson.…”

“…ex A.Rich.) Moffett Xaaxessaa (AO) Anacardiaceae Sh F Fr,Dr Fe,Fw Rv [ 15 , 17 , 23 , 26 , 34 , 47 ] BA-188 Searsia ruspolii (Engl.) Moffett Xaaxessaa (AO) Anacardiaceae Sh F Fr,Dr Fo,Fw,Fe Ow,Gl [ 32 , 36 , 39 ] BA-48 Senna petersiana (Bolle) Lock * Sarar-qamale (AO) Fabaceae Sh F Fr,Dr M Ow,Fm [ 53 ] BA-80 Solanum lycopersicum L Qumadoro xiqqo (AO) Solanaceae H F Fr,Ck Bf Ho,Sa [ 60 ] BA-176 Solanum villosum Mill.…”

“…Small-scale farmers consume the souse of its bark mucilage as a substitute for homemade stew during normal times and during short-term food scarcity. The bark mucilage consumption of G. mollis was previously reported only by the studies conducted in Bullen district, northwest Ethiopia [ 36 ] and in the Amaro Special District of southern Ethiopia [ 34 ], while the fruit edibility was highly described by other studies [ 11 , 14 , 23 , 32 ] in the country. In other African countries, a ripe fruit is edible in Uganda [ 63 ], a bark mucilage is used as an additives in local cake preparation, and a bark powder is used to improve the texture of foods in Nigeria [ 64 ].…”

Nutritional Composition and Antinutritional Factors of Five Wild Edible Fruits Grown in the Mekdela District, South of Wollo, Ethiopia

“…It was noted in most of these correspondences that the nutritional value of foods made from unusual plants may occasionally be better than that of ordinary vegetables. Therefore, the creation of a national food composition database is urged globally [ 9 ]. Furthermore, nutritional data are needed to create processing parameters for the target items that are appropriate for low-income consumers [ 10 ].…”