Potential Toxicity of Some Traditional Leafy Vegetables Consumed in Nyang’oma Division, Western Kenya

Traditional leafy vegetables are those plants leaves or aerial parts have been integrated in a community’s culture for use as food over a long span of time. These vegetables are highly recommended due to their relatively high nutritional value compared to the introduced varieties, and are also important in food security. Qualitative phytochemical screening, using standard laboratory procedure, was carried out for alkaloids, saponins, cardenolides, flavonoids and polyphenols on traditional leafy vegetables consumed amongst the Luo, an agro-pastoral community living along the shores of lake Victoria, Western Kenya. The vegetables included: Amaranthus hybridus L. (subsp.hybridus), Asystasia mysorensis T. Anderson, Coccinia grandis (L) Voigt, Crotalaria ochroleuca (Kotschy) Polhill, Cucurbita maxima Duchesne ex Lam, Portulaca quadrifida L., Sesamum calycimum Welw. var. angustifolium (Oliv.) Ihlenf. and Siedenst., Senna occidentalis L. and Sida acuta Burm. F. All the vegetables were found to contain polyphenols and flavanoids while other classes of phytochemicals varied from species to species. Brine shrimp lethality tests revealed that S. calycimum var. angustifolium (LC50 84.8 g/ml), S. occidentalis (LC50 99.5 g/ml), S. acuta (LC50 99.4 g/ml), C. grandis (LC50 100.6 g/ml) and A. mysorensis (LC50 207.7 g/ml) exhibited marked levels of toxicity. C. ochroleuca (Sunnhemp) contained all the five classes of phytochemicals, but proved less toxic (LC50 4511.3 g/ml). This vegetable is highly utilized in Nyang’oma, and seventy per cent of the respondents consume this species. Though A. hybridus (African spinach, or Amaranth) was found to be the least toxic (LC50 6233.6 g/ml) and this vegetable is recommended for consumption. From the results, five vegetables contain possible agents that can cause acute or chronic toxicities when consumed in large quantities or over a long period of time. Hence some vegetables should be consumed with great care. Further studies are recommended to determine which of the phytochemicals are lethal to mammals, especially human beings.

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Assessment of Levels of Nutrients in Selected ALVs at Different Harvesting Stages and Locations of Production in Western Kenya

International Journal of Biochemistry Research & Review ◽

10.9734/ijbcrr/2019/v25i330076 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-16

Author(s):

Makokha Grace ◽

O. P. Owuor ◽

D. M. K. Ongeri

Keyword(s):

Block Design ◽

Food Composition ◽

Leafy Vegetables ◽

Amaranthus Hybridus ◽

Western Kenya ◽

Nutritional Values ◽

Regional Food ◽

Food Composition Tables ◽

Cleome Gynandra ◽

Harvesting Stage

Proper nutrition contributes to declines under-five mortality rates and improves the productivity of adults. Addressing nutritional problems requires adequate information on the diets of individuals and populations. African leafy vegetables (ALVs) are widely consumed and often harvested at different stages after planting with the help of different communities. Four ALVs namely Vigna unguiculata, Amaranthus hybridus, Cleome gynandra and Solanum scabrum are commonly grown vegetables in western Kenya, their potentials have not been evaluated to supply the nutrients. However, nutritional values may vary depending on the species, harvesting stage and location of production. The effects of species, harvesting stages and location of production on the nutritional value of selected ALVs were evaluated. The trials were laid out in a randomized complete block design in three replicates in Busia, Kisumu, and Lela. Leaves were sampled at different harvesting stages and analyzed for N, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, and Zn levels. Amaranthus hybridus had significantly (P≤0.05) higher levels of P, Ca, Zn, Mn, and Na. The N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn and Fe levels significantly (P≤0.05) increased then decreased with harvesting stage. The levels of nutrients significantly (P≤0.05) varied with location of production except for Na. The ALVs from Kisumu site had significantly (P≤0.05) higher levels of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Zn, ALVs from Lela site had higher levels of Mn and Na while ALVs from Busia site had higher levels of Fe. Amaranthus hybridus is a better contributor of-of P, Ca, Zn, Mn, and Na. The Fe, Mg and Zn levels were above the Recommended Dietary Allowance and may be used to alleviate deficiencies associated with such nutrients. Harvesting the ALVs at the stage the nutrients attain their optimum levels is recommended. There is a need for the development of regional food composition tables for all ALVs in Kenya.

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Nutritional value of traditional leafy vegetables in Kwa-Zulu Natal

10.51415/10321/2713 ◽

2003 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Sharlynn Beekrum

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Value ◽

Chenopodium Album ◽

Centella Asiatica ◽

Mineral Elements ◽

Nutritional Composition ◽

Leafy Vegetables ◽

Bidens Pilosa ◽

Amaranthus Hybridus ◽

Amaranthus Spinosus ◽

Asystasia Gangetica

Leafy vegetables provide valuable nutrients to humans. Indigenous or traditional vegetables are rapidly being replaced by exotic plants. These vegetables are often costly and not easily available to communities. This study was undertaken to determine the nutritional composition of the leaves of twenty traditional leafy vegetables namely Solanum nigrum, Physalis viscosa, Cucumis metuliferus, Momordica balsamina, Amaranthus spinosus, Amaranthus hybridus, Amaranthus dubius, Asystasia gangetica, Justicia flava, Emex australis, Oxygonum sinuatum, Bidens pilosa, Cleome monophylla, Portulaca oleracea, Wahlenbergia undulata, Senna occidentalis, Chenopodium album, Ceratotheca triloba, Galinsoga parviflora and Centella asiatica from different locations in Kwa-Zulu Natal. The leafy vegetables were analysed for protein, moisture, fat, fibre, carbohydrates, ash, energy values and nutritionally valuable mineral elements (Ca, P, Na, Zn, Mg, Mn and Fe).

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Livelihood assessment of avocado growing in western Kenya and its socioeconomic implications using agricultural extension services

International Journal of Agricultural Extension ◽

10.33687/ijae.006.02.2286 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 71-79 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ouma George ◽

Odhiambo G. Duncan ◽

Musyimi David ◽

Kwach Johnson

Keyword(s):

Cultural Practices ◽

Lake Victoria ◽

Social Scientist ◽

Agricultural Extension ◽

Lake Victoria Basin ◽

Extension Services ◽

Western Kenya ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Level Of Education ◽

Secondary Sources

Avocado (Persia americana) is an important world crop. In Kenya, it has become a very important crop but its production is limited by several factors. Studies were conducted in the Lake Victoria Basin counties of Bunyala in Busia, Kisumu, Muhoroni, Nyando and Rachuonyo in western Kenya to investigate the socioeconomic factors affecting Avocado production. Information were collected from focus group discussions, key informants, individual interviews and secondary sources. Statistical Package for Social Scientist was used to analyze data collected interpreted and reported. The objectives were to assess how Avocado growers in western Kenya using Agricultural extension services affects the Livelihood of farmers considering their level of education and extension services and the implication it has on their decisions making to invest in Avocado production. There was positive relationship within the participating farmers as relates their level of education, income and availability of extension services that led to high adoption of inputs, choice of rootstocks to grow the crop, varieties chosen, planting, cultural practices harvesting, storage and marketing.

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