Abstract Detail

Ethnobotany

Adegbaju, Oluwafunmilayo [1], Otunola, Gloria [2], Afolayan, Anthony [3].

The potential of celosia species as possible solutions to human dietary deficiencies and chronic diseases.

Human dietary deficiencies have become a significant public health problem globally. This could be attributed to the poor quality of habitual diets and lack of dietary diversity in meals. There is also a strong relationship between micronutrient deficiencies and infections, which has been thought to lead to the onset of a myriad of chronic diseases, poor health, and even mortality in some cases. Green leafy vegetables are important sources of micronutrients in most African rural communities where they have been used as an accompaniment for staple cereal and root-based diets for many years. The genus, Celosia, is a good example of leafy vegetables that could contribute to the prevention and management of micronutrient malnutrition, chronic diseases and also provide food security. To obtain a better understanding of the suitability of Celosia species in preventing malnutrition and chronic diseases, a review of literatures was done using various electronic search databases; especially the PubMed, ISI Web of Science and CNKI. Results revealed that Celosia species are a good source of nutrients with medicinal properties for the preventive strategies of dietary deficiencies and chronic diseases. Some species of the genus viz: C. argentea, C. cristata, C. isertii and C. spicata are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins A, C and E, calcium, iron and zinc. These species have been screened for various pharmacological activities such as anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, e.t.c. Celosia species may, therefore, be the promising dietotherapeutic vegetables in the treatment of chronic diseases and alleviating the burden of malnutrition. This review can serve as a basis for the development of functional foods with high nutritional quality to reduce malnutrition as well as an alternative/complementary plan for the prevention and management of diseases. Keywords: Celosia, malnutrition, chronic diseases, bioactive compounds, diet ^*Corresponding author:funmaj2005@gmail.com

1 - Medicinal Plant And Economic Development, Department Of Botany.Alice, South Africa, Alice, EC, 5700, South Africa
2 - University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa., Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice, 5700, Eastern Cape, South Africa, University of Fort Hare, Alice, 5700, Eastern Cape, Alice, EC, 5700, SA
3 - University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa., University of Fort Hare, Alice, 5700, Eastern Cape, South Africa, University of Fort Hare, Alice, 5700, Eastern Cape, Alice, EC, 5700, South Africa

Keywords:
Celosia
malnutrition
chronic diseases
leafy vegetables
micronutrients.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 41, Ethnobotany
Location: 109/Mayo Civic Center
Date: Wednesday, July 25th, 2018
Time: 11:45 AM
Number: 41007
Abstract ID:92
Candidate for Awards:None