Diversity of alternative food plants traded in the Kranggan Mas Traditional Market, Bekasi District, West Java Province, Indonesia

The market is the main place for buying and selling alternative food plants and its rich in local wisdom. This study aims to explain the diversity of alternative food plant that are traded in the traditional market of Kranggan Mas, Bekasi District and their potential as healthy food ingredients. The research was conducted with an ethnobotanical approach with surveys, interviews and participations observation. The respondents were all traders who traded alternative food plants. The data was qualitative analysis includes grouping plants based on benefits, families, and parts used. A total of 12 species belonging10 genera and 8 families of plants as alternative food are traded in the Kranggan Mas traditional market. A total of 7 species of food are available every day and 4 species are available seasonally. The part of used are tuber (82%) and fruits (18%). Dioscorea alata and Artocarpus altilis are foodstuff ingredients that are still very potential to be developed and cultivated because both species are easy to find in the surrounding environment and its uses as shade and living fence. The Dioscorea alata has compounds dioscorine which has activity to reduce hypertension, so that its recommended for postmenopausal women.

Diversity of Water Yam (Dioscorea alata L.) Accessions from Côte d’Ivoire Based on SNP Markers and Agronomic Traits

Dioscorea alata (L.), also referred to as water, winged, or greater yam, is one of the most economically important staple food crops in tropical and subtropical areas. In Côte d’Ivoire, it represents, along with other yam species, the largest food crop and significantly contributes to food security. However, studies focusing on better understanding the structure and extent of genetic diversity among D. alata accessions, using molecular and phenotypic traits, are limited. This study was, therefore, conducted to assess the pattern of genetic variability in a set of 188 D. alata accessions from the National Agronomic Research Centre (CNRA) genebank using 11,722 SNP markers (generated by the Diversity Arrays Technology) and nine agronomic traits. Phylogenetic analyses using hierarchical clustering, admixture, kinship, and Discriminant analysis of principal component (DAPC) all assigned the accessions into four main clusters. Genetic diversity assessment using molecular-based SNP markers showed a high proportion of polymorphic SNPs (87.81%). The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed low molecular variability within genetic groups. In addition, the agronomic traits evaluated for two years in field conditions showed a high heritability and high variability among D. alata accessions. This study provides insights into the genetic diversity among accessions in the CNRA genebank and opens an avenue for sustainable resource management and the identification of promising parental clones for water yam breeding programs in Côte d’Ivoire.

Comparison of Different Hydrocolloids on the Novel Development of Muffins from “Purple Yam” (Dioscorea alata) Flour in Sensory, Textural, and Nutritional Aspects

Hydrocolloids can act as gluten substitutes to form the structural equivalents of the gluten network in gluten-free bakery products. “Purple yam” (Dioscorea alata) is one of the underutilized yams in Sri Lanka with high nutritional potential. The overall objective of this study was to develop gluten-free muffins using “Purple yam” (Dioscorea alata) flour with hydrocolloids (pectin, xanthan gum, and guar gum) and investigate the nutritional composition and selected properties of the muffins. The texture profiles of gluten-free muffins were analyzed through the following parameters: hardness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, etc. The chromameter values were obtained and sensory evaluations for gluten-free muffins were carried out. The highest moisture content was recorded in pectin-incorporated muffins ( 17.70 ± 0.50 % ). The protein content of all three types of muffins was around 5%. The highest fat content was recorded in pectin-incorporated muffins ( 19.26 ± 0.51 % ). The ash content of all three types of muffins was around 2%. Potassium was the most predominant element found in each muffin. The hardness of guar gum-incorporated muffin ( 6379.3 ± 135.9 g ) was greater than that of the pectin-incorporated one ( 6082.3 ± 23.4 g ). Xanthan gum-incorporated muffins had significantly decreased cohesiveness ( 0.19 ± 0.04 ). The highest springiness was obtained in pectin-incorporated muffin ( 37.13 ± 1.61 mm ). The descending order of the chewiness of muffin is pectin − added > xanthan gum − added > guar gum − added sample. According to the sensory evaluation, pectin-incorporated muffin was the best as it had obtained the highest sum of ranks for appearance, color, taste, after taste, and overall acceptability.

Occurring the paraquat residues in various Nigerian

Because pesticides are ubiquitous and focused on the food chain, they are a substantial source of possible environmental danger to humans and animals. The highest extremely hazardous herbicides to be launched in 60 years ago is paraquat (1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridylium dichloride). Although most nations have prohibited or severely limited the use of paraquat (PQ), it is still used in others, particularly in Nigeria. As a result, the present study used a spectrophotometric method to look for PQ in some vegetables, crops, and fruits in Abeokuta that are commonly consumed. The presence and amounts of PQ residues were assessed in 150 samples of various vegetables, crops, and fruits (harvested at Fadama field of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta). PQ residues were detected in Talinum triangulare, Corchorus olitorius, Amaranthus caudatus, Cratylia argentea, Capsicum frutescens, Lycopersicum esculentum, Raphanus sativus, Zea may, and Dioscorea alata at 0.130.02, 0.27+0.02, 0.06+0.01, 0.10+0.03, 0.15+0.03, 0. Using this technique, no paraquat residues were found in M. paradisicica or C. papaya. At 0.05-1.0 ppm fortification level, the technique yields a mean recovery of over 80% and is reproducible with a total coefficient of variation of 8.0 percent (n=10). All residual levels found were under the PQ tolerance or pesticide maximum limits.

The Impact of Conservation Agriculture Practice and Socio-Economic Factors on Yam Production (Dioscorea alata and Dioscorea rotundata) in Kalagoé (Lobaye, Central African Republic)

Few studies have been carried out on Yam (Dioscorea alata and Dioscorea rotundata) in relation with the conservation agriculture in CAR. Yam is cultivated in limited quantities despite its role in improving food security. In order to increase Yam production in the smallholder farms in CAR, the potential effect of crop management practices like nutrient application, mulching and minimum tillage on Yam crop yield and household financial returns, needs to be understood. A questionnaire was prepared and used as a tool for the collection of information from 100 producers of Yam without distinction of ages and sexes. In order to determinate the agronomical performance of Yam, two plots were explored. The first plot with 625m² (12.5m ×50m), known as the improved plot, is a plot on which all conservation agriculture practices were applied. The second plot, known as the traditional plot, is one on which traditional farming techniques were applied. The results of the survey show that 32% of the farmers are in favor for CA practice nevertheless 68% are not favor, which shows that a large proportion of farmers in Kalangoé are not aware of the benefits of this technique. The most widely cultivated variety is D. rotundata, because of its taste qualities. Some producers also grow both varieties at the same time. Some producers (28%) clear their plots by cutting down all the trees to leave the field bare, while a large number (72%) practice partial cutting by removing the shrubs to keep the large trees in order to protect the forest. A large number of producers (62%) also burn their plots for various reasons, including freeing up space and making it easier to move around the field because the plant debris from clearing prevents them from working properly. A small proportion of producers (26%) practice ploughing against 74% who do not practice this technique. The conservation agriculture practice applied to Yam gave interesting agronomic performances (growth and production parameters) than the farmers practices.