Giant Taro Research Articles

Sulphated tubers extract from the giant taro Alocasia macrorrhiza inhibits the carcinogenesis initiation and modulates macrophage functions

Sulphated tubers extract from the giant taro Alocasia macrorrhiza inhibits the carcinogenesis initiation and modulates macrophage functions

Overview of plant giant taro

Overview of plant giant taro

Antiproliferative piperidine alkaloids from giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhiza).

The rhizome of giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhiza (L.) Schott), which is a highly adaptable wild plant, is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. In the current study, the antiproliferative constituents of giant taro were investigated and six new (1-6) and four known piperidine alkaloids (7-10) were isolated from its rhizomes. Their chemical structures and absolute configurations were elucidated using various spectroscopic methods and the Mosher ester method. The isolated alkaloids were screened for the antiproliferative activity through MTT assay. The results indicated that piperidine alkaloids exerted potential antiproliferative activity against HepG2, AGS and MCF-7 tumor cells. Further researches showed that compounds 3-5 dose-dependently decreased the colony formation rate and induced the apoptosis of AGS cells, while compound 4 induced AGS cell death via the proapoptotic pathway. This study demonstrates that the piperidine alkaloids isolated from giant taro exhibit significant antitumor activity, which provides phytochemical evidence for further development and utilization.

Influence of Various Composted Organic Amendments and Their Rates of Application on Nitrogen Mineralization and Soil Productivity Using Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa. L. var. Chinensis) as an Indicator Crop

There is a diversity of locally available nitrogen (N)-rich organic materials in Samoa. However, none of them was evaluated for their N supplying capacity after composting in Samoan Inceptisols for vegetable cultivation. Thus, N-releasing capacity of five composted organic amendments (OAs) namely macuna, gliricidia, erythrina, lawn grass and giant taro, and their two application rates (10 and 20 t ha−1) were assessed through a laboratory incubation and a crop response study using Chinese cabbage as a test crop. Among the OAs, composted mucuna was characterized by a higher total N (2.91%), organic C (63.6%) and NO3−N content (341 mg N kg−1). A significant difference in N mineralization was observed among the OAs as well as application rates. The highest N mineralization was recorded in composted mucuna followed by gliricidia, erythrina, lawn grass, and giant taro. A crop response study also showed a similar trend. Mucuna treatment had the highest biomass yield and N uptake followed by gliricidia, erythrina, lawn grass, and giant taro. Leguminous composted OAs @ 20 t ha−1 performed substantially better in all the plant growth and yield parameters, and N uptake compared to 10 t ha−1 that was not the case for non-leguminous OAs. Thus, non-leguminous OAs should be applied at 10 t ha−1. All the composted leguminous OAs showed promising results while mucuna was the best in both the application rates. Therefore, mucuna can be promoted to supply N for crop cultivation in Samoa, other Pacific Islands and tropical countries where N fertilizer is costly and not easily available.

Morphological characterization and development potential of beneng variety (Xanthosoma undipes K. Koch) Pandeglang - Banten

Beneng is a local giant taro that is easily found around the Gunung Karang areas, Pandeglang District, Indonesia. Beneng has the potential to be developed as a commercial crop due to high demand of its product (tuber and leaves). Therefore, the study aimed to characterize the morphology of Beneng, and to analyze its potential development. The research was conducted in Juhut Village, Pandeglang District, Banten Province from 2017 to 2020. Morphological characterization was observed following the guidelines on the descriptor for taro. A series of data were collected from Beneng farmers and the Beneng Association. Beneng is a unique crop with a big yellow tuber. Besides, all parts of the crop are useful and economically valuable. Beneng can grow well under, and well adapted to, low light intensity. Therefore, this crop is suitable as a secondary crop in plantation areas or intercropped with other tall crops. Additionally, Beneng is a food crop with a high carbohydrate content (78%) which is suitable as a fresh product or processed products (flour and chips). Beneng dried leave is also valuable as herbal teas and tobacco. High demand of Beneng product showed that Beneng has a comparative and competitive advantage as compared to other types of taro. Currently, Beneng is marketable for export to other countries. The demand for fresh tuber, flour, and dried leaves reached 60-80, 200, and 300 ton per month, respectively. Our study showed that Beneng plants can produce 10-15 kg fresh tuber or around 100-150 ton per ha, and can be as much as 2 kg per plant dried leaves or around 20 ton per ha, with the total plant growth duration of 8 to 12 month. In order to fill the gap between demand and supply of Beneng products, an expansion of Beneng cultivation is needed through optimizing the arable land around Gunung Karang and surrounding areas.

Nutritional supplementation with non-conventional food resources and its effect on the productive parameters in rabbits

The effect of diets with nonconventional forage resources, balu (Erythrina edulis) and giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhiza) was evaluated, on production parameters of New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) under family farming production, in Silvania (Cundinamarca, Colombia). 36 weaned rabbits of 35 days old were used. They were distributed in 4 treatments (substitution of commercial pellets by giant taro leaves flour 25% (Giant taro), balu 25% (Balu); their mixture, giant taro 12.5% and balu 12.5% (GB), and a control with commercial pellets) with three repetitions each. Variables evaluated: initial weight at 35 days old, daily weight gain, consumption, feed conversion and final weight at 85 days old, carcass yield, haunch, loin and meat. Data was analyzed by Tukey multiple comparison test at 5% significance level, variance homogeneity and error independence verified by means of Shapiro-Wilks, Levene and Durbin-Watson tests, respectively, by R program. No significant differences were found in the final weight, on weeks 5 and 6, which registered significant differences (p<0.05), for giant taro (1771.85±88.21 AB), control (1933.06±88.20 B), giant taro (1935.05±91.26 AB), control (2144.42±91.26 B) respectively. Daily weight gain showed significant differences (p<0.05) at week 5 for giant taro (33.56±2.82 AB); control (.37±2.825 B). Significant differences were showed by most zootechnical variables (p<0.05). The results showed that diets with nonconventional forage resources (balu and giant taro) are a viable alternative for animal feeding, due to their high nutritional content and as a by-product of commercial interest for rural families in areas of the middle Colombian tropics.

Assessment of Radioactivity and Radiological Hazard of Different Food Items Collected from Local Market in Bangladesh

Sixteen samples in three categories vegetables, cereals (rice, wheat, maize, pulse) and powdered milk were collected from local markets (Dhaka city) in Bangladesh and analyzed by using High Purity Germanium (HPGe) Detector for the assessment of natural and artificial radioactivity. In vegetables (potato, raw banana, giant taro, red amaranth), the average activity concentrations of 232Th, 226Ra, and 40K were found to be 37.82±11.57, 54.93±9.98 and 617.43±65.69 Bqkg-1 respectively, for cereals (rice, wheat, maize, pulse) 24.01±3.67, 31.46±4.00 and 474.83±27.68 Bqkg-1 respectively and for milk samples 15.01±3.65, 26.73±6.77 and 494.21±38.71 Bqkg-1 respectively. The average values of outdoor annual effective dose were found to be 92.18, 61.19 and 52.37μSvy-1 in vegetables, cereals and milk samples respectively. No artificial radionuclide was found in any of these samples. The average value of radium equivalent activity in all samples was 113.89 Bqkg-1 which was less than maximum permissible value 370 Bqkg-1. The values of external hazard indices for vegetables, cereals and milk samples varied from 0.31 to 0.66, 0.17 to 0.40 and 0.11 to 0.36 respectively which is less than unity in all samples that indicate the non-hazardous nature of the samples. The average values of annual effective ingestion dose rate from foods (for adult) were 274.33 μSvy-1, 533.60μSvy-1, and 132.73μSvy-1for 232Th, 226Ra and 40K respectively. These data would be useful to establish a baseline for natural radioactivity concentrations in food items consumed in Bangladesh.
 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 43, No. 2, 141-148, 2019

Alocasia: a promising food crop for next generation

In India, three types of alocasia are present, especially in Bengal, Assam and South India in abundance. Alocasia cuculata (Lour.) thrives well under Bengal conditions as a tall herb and it is famous for its edible rhizomes. The second species, A. indica Schott; Eng., is a gaint taro having large leave caladium and belonging to family Araceae. It is generally grown in Bengal, Assam, Maharastra and South India. Stem and rootstocks are edible, leaf juice is astringent and rhizome is used as mild laxative and diuretic. The third type of Alocasia present in India and Sri Lanka is Alocasia microrhiza (L.) Schott; Eng. (giant taro, Araceae), a large herb with edible corm; after treating with 2% w/v sodium bicarbonate 20 min after boiling it is used as vegetable with minimum raphaites (71 mg 100 g(-1) edible part). In ICAR-RCER, Research Center for Makhana, 10 edible alocasia accessions from Bengal, Jharkhand and Bihar were collected. ‘Ranchi-3’ alocasia is a dwarf whose horizontal root along with stem are edible. An upright alocasia (‘RKM-1’) was collected from Kolkata. It can be planted in a minimum distance. A small alocasia was collected from West Bengal (‘WB-1’) which is a favorite for making postharvest products like Bari. The alocasia collection WB-2 is spreading and suitable for twin use like vegetables and medicinal treatment in arthritis. A. microrhiza is lucrative for its voluminous and quick growth and it is an easy growing food plant for the future generation. Typical of leaf vegetables, alocasia leaves are a good source of thiamin, riboflavin, iron, phosphorus, and zinc, and a very good source of vitamin B6, vitamin C, niacin, potassium, copper, and manganese. So in India immediate nationwide attention is required to conserve these valuable plants without any delay and pave the way for them for cultivation in fertile land. As the world population is growing alocasia may be a promising food for the future. It may be grown as a sole crop or a companion crop of a mix cropping system with sweet flag and makhana.

Influence of peeling and inorganic calcium concentration on the utilisation of giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhiza) corm meal by laying hens

The effects of peeling and limestone flour level on the utilisation of Alocasia macrorrhiza corm meal (ACM) by laying hens were investigated. Maize-based diets with two concentrations of limestone flour (40 and 60 g/kg) and diets containing 200 g peeled and unpeeled ACM meal/kg with the same levels of limestone flour were fed to five replicate pens containing 10 20-week-old Shaver brown pullets (1635 ± 148 g), each for 105 days. Results showed no interaction or main effects of ACM or limestone concentration on feed intake, egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion efficiency, egg shape index, surface area and Haugh unit (P > 0.05). Feeding whole ACM with 40 g limestone/kg diet reduced hen-day production and shell thickness (P < 0.05) but this was overcome by increasing limestone concentration to 60 g/kg diet. Peeled ACM with both concentrations of limestone flour maintained laying performance and egg quality. We concluded that feeding 200 g whole ACM depresses egg production and shell quality in laying hens, but increasing dietary limestone concentration overcomes this adverse effect. The concentration of limestone flour in the diet has no effect on laying performance. Higher inclusion levels of ACM, calcium source and level that will maintain laying performance and reduce feed cost need to be investigated.

Earliest Evidence for Pit Cultivation Provides Insight on the Nature of First Polynesian Settlement

First Polynesian settlement by Lapita peoples occurred ca 2850 cal BP at Nukuleka, then a small sandy islet at the entrance to the lagoon on the island of Tongatapu, Kingdom of Tonga. Recent studies document the presence of a planting pit here where, with interception of the Ghyben-Herzberg freshwater lens and use of organic mulch, aroids could be grown. Original pit excavation is dated to first landfall or shortly thereafter. Dates further indicate the pit was filled between 2690 and 2390 cal BP. The saturated mulch, combined with coralline sand in the pit-bottom, resulted in a gray-brown silty-sand planting matrix. Microfossil analysis of these sediments have identified Oceanic cultigens, including giant swamp taro (Cyrtosperma merkusii), taro (Colocasia esculenta), banana (Musa sp.), candle nut (Aleurites moluccana), pandanus (Pandanus tectorius), and coconut (Cocos nucifera). Also present in the matrix are large numbers of Lapita ceramic sherds, these probably added for moisture retention and, possibly, nutrients as they degrade. The planting pit is the earliest recorded evidence for this type of cultivation in Oceania. It illustrates an ingenious exploration strategy for Lapita peoples that is well adapted to most types of islands they would encounter.

Growth of aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) basal shoots in companion planting systems

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) is an important plant to cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food industry worldwide. In Colombia its cultivation has grown even when technical crop management is unknown. This study evaluated the growth of three aloe basal shoots weights ranges in two companion planting systems and monoculture (control). A completely randomized split plot design was used. Main plots were: aloe monoculture (AMN), common bean companion planting (CBCP), and giant taro companion planting (GTCP). Treatments were weight ranges from 50 to 150 g (LWe), 151 to 250 g (MW), and 251 to 350 g (HW). Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Duncan multiple range test (P≤0.05), and linear regressions. Variables evaluated were total height (TH), number of leaves (NOL), length (LL), width (LW), and leaf thickness (LT). In CBCP, GTCP, and MW variable LL predicted GH. Models fitted to HW and AMN were not representative (R 2 <0.64). CBCP obtained the highest values in NOL (17.8), TH (56.2 cm), LL (40.2 cm), and LW (5.8 cm). LWe and MW basal shoots reached non-significant differences one year after planting in any variable (P>0.05). Companion planting promotes predictability of aloe growth and CBCP associated with HW are a promising alternative to aloe cultivation.

Anti-inflammatory lignanamides and monoindoles from Alocasia macrorrhiza

Five new lignanamides (1–5), and one new monoindole alkaloid (6), along with eight known compounds (7–14) were isolated and identified from the rhizomes of Alocasia macrorrhiza (giant taro). All purified compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells, and the antiproliferative activities against human nasopharyngeal carcinoma epithelial (CNE-1), human gastric carcinoma (MGC-803), and human breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines by MTT method. Compounds 2, 4, 7 and 8 exhibited significant inhibitory effects on NO production with the IC50 values of 2.35±0.38, 9.20±0.94, 3.45±0.39 and 7.96±0.56μM, respectively. The results suggested the lignanamides and monoindoles might be responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of giant taro and might be potential anti-inflammatory candidates.

KANDUNGAN KLOROFIL DALUGHA (Cyrtosperma merkusii (Hassk.) Scott) PADA HUTAN RAWA PASANG SURUT DI DESA LAINE, PULAU SANGIHE

ABSTRACT This article is to present the adaptation capacity of Dalugha (giant taro, Cyrtosperma merkusii) indicated by chlorophyll contents at a number of places in Laine Village, Sangihe Island. The study is related to the development of Dalugha as an alternative food plant and its adaptation to the inundated brackish water as a result of raising sea water surface on climate change. The aim of the study is to analyze the differences in chlorophyll contents of inundated and non inundated brackish water conditions in a tree shaded and non shaded conditions. The method is observational where plant responses are observed at the variation created by natural caused. The result showed cthat Dalugha chlorophyll content was influenced by tree shading but it is not influenced by inundation of brackish water. Keywords: dalugha, chlorophyll, tidal swamp forest

Utilisation of giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhiza) root meal with or without coconut oil slurry by layers and broilers

Replacements of maize with Alocasia macrorrhiza root meal (AMRM) with or without added coconut oil slurry (COS) in poultry diets were investigated in a series of two experiments. In Experiment 1, the replacement of maize with two levels (10% and 20%) each of AMRM and AMRM–COS on egg production and egg quality was investigated. Experiment 2 investigated the same treatments as in Experiment 1 on broiler performance. In both experiments, each diet was fed to four replicates of 10 birds in a completely randomised design. There was no marked effect on feed intake (FI) in both experiments (P > 0.05). In Experiment 1, percentage hen-day production and feed conversion ratio were depressed (P < 0.05) on 20% AMRM and egg weight on 10% AMRM, but these depressing effects were overcome by COS addition. Egg mass was significantly (P < 0.05) increased on 20% AMRM–COS compared with the other AMRM groups, but did not differ (P > 0.05) between the control and AMRM–COS. Haugh unit and percentage shell were not affected by the treatment (P > 0.05). In Experiment 2, bodyweight gain was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced with the inclusion of AMRM in the diet, with the lowest gain on 20% AMRM–COS. Feed conversion ratio was adversely affected when AMRM was included at a concentration greater than 10% of dietary maize (P < 0.05). Coconut oil-slurry treatment of the meal did not improve performance. It was concluded that inclusion of AMRM at a concentration greater than 10% dietary maize adversely affects the performance of both layers and broilers. Treatment of AMRM with COS at 9 : 1 overcomes these adverse effects in laying hens, but not in broilers. More research is warranted on the effects of higher concentrations of COS-treated AMRM in the diet on layers, and on processing methods that will improve performance of poultry.

Correlation and path coefficient analysis in Giant Taro (Alocasia macrorrhiza L.)

Genotypic and phenotypic character associations as well as direct and indirect effects were estimated for eleven characters such as plant height, petiole length, petiole breadth, leaf area index, inflorescence length, spathe length, spathe breadth, corm length, corm breadth, corm weight and yield per plant, in giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhiza L). The results revealed that plant height, LAI, corm length, corm breadth, had positive correlation with yield per plant both at genotypic and phenotypic level. Relatively higher positive and direct effect was found through petiole length, LAI and corm length and yield per plant in genotypic level. The residual effect 0.4762 represent in genotypic level about 53 % of the variability observed for yield per plant was represented by these traits. In the phenotypic level highest and positive direct effect was observed with petiole length and yield per plant. Positive direct effect was also found on yield per plant by plant height, petiole length, inflorescence length, inflorescence number, spathe length and spathe breadth, corm length, corm breadth. The residual effect 0.4235 means that characters included in the present study explained about 58 % variability in yield per plant at phenotypic level.Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 50(2), 117-122, 2015

Underutilized Tuber Crops for food, feed and nutritional security in Tripura

Agriculture contributes 26 per cent of the GDP in Tripura of which the major contribution is from horticulture crops like fruits, vegetable, plantation crops and spices etc. The prevailing agro climatic conditions, surplus rainfall, good soil depth and mild acidic pH of the favors the cultivation of tuber crops viz. tapioca, sweet potato, elephant foot yam, greater yam, lesser yam, white yam, taro, swamp taro, giant taro, giant swamp taro and tannia. These crops are considered as the subsidiary food crops in the region for tribal and poor masses because the per capita availability of food grain in this region is low as compare to the national average. On the contrary, these crops play a vital role in food and nutritional security as well as livelihood of some tribal community.

Application of Pigment Dye and Resist Printing Paste from Flour of Wild Taro (<i>Colocasia esculenta</i> (L.) Schott) for Printing of Silk Fabric

The purpose of this research was to study the white resist printing with colour resistant material from flour of wild taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) and using pigment as dyestuffs. The optimal ratio of colour resistant materials from flour of giant taro were compose of 19% wild taro corm, 30% water, 34% sodium chloride, 13% calcium hydroxide, and 3% vegetable oil. The fixation of printing by using hot air at 110 °C for 3 minutes can resist dyestuffs and also easy to remove the flour of giant taro. The pattern at resist printing area of fabrics shows sharpness and whiteness. The colour fastness results were ranging between fair to good level.

Effect of Cross-Section Differences and Drying Temperature on the Physicochemical, Functional and Antioxidant Properties of Giant Taro Flour

Giant swamp taro, Cyrtosperma merkusii, consumed and regarded as indigenous food in many regions of Cameroon, is a potential bio-source of antioxidants as well as flours for use in different food formulations but which has not been widely studied. The present study was carried out to determine the effect of drying conditions on the chemical composition as well as the physical and functional properties and antioxidant activity of flours of this tuber. Slices of the yellow and mixed sections of the tubers were processed into flours by sun-drying (temperature ≈35 °C) and hot air electric drying at varying temperatures (50 °C, 60 °C, and 70 °C) before milling. Drying temperature and technique showed marginal effect on the protein, fat, fiber, ash, and carbohydrate content of taro flours. Color attributes, physical and functional properties, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl radical antioxidant activity, as well as reducing power of flours were found to vary significantly (P < 0.05) due to either the drying temperature or method. Hot air electric drying at lower temperatures (<70 °C) produced flour with higher water absorption capacity (WAC), water solubility index (WSI), porosity, bulk density, and preserved antioxidant activity of flour, whereas sun-drying was associated with flours of higher WSI but lower WAC, and lower antioxidant capacity. It was noticed that carotenoids and ascorbic acid contributed to the antioxidant activity in taro flours, and taro flours made of different taro portions showed different antioxidant mechanisms. This study highlights the low temperature hot air-drying method as a very good lead for preparation of effective natural functional flours for culinary system.

Giant taro and its relatives: A phylogeny of the large genus Alocasia (Araceae) sheds light on Miocene floristic exchange in the Malesian region

Alocasia comprises over 113 species of rainforest understorey plants in Southeast Asia, the Malesian region, and Australia. Several species, including giant taro, Alocasia macrorrhizos, and Chinese taro, Alocasia cucullata, are important food plants or ornamentals. We investigated the biogeography of this genus using plastid and nuclear DNA sequences (5200 nucleotides) from 78 accessions representing 71 species, plus 25 species representing 16 genera of the Pistia clade to which Alocasia belongs. Divergence times were inferred under strict and relaxed clock models, and ancestral areas with Bayesian and maximum likelihood approaches. Alocasia is monophyletic and sister to Colocasiagigantea from the SE Asian mainland, whereas the type species of Colocasia groups with Steudnera and Remusatia, requiring taxonomic realignments. Nuclear and plastid trees show topological conflict, with the nuclear tree reflecting morphological similarities, the plastid tree species’ geographic proximity, suggesting chloroplast capture. The ancestor of Alocasia diverged from its mainland sister group c. 24 million years ago, and Borneo then played a central role in the expansion of Alocasia: 11–13 of 18–19 inferred dispersal events originated on Borneo. The Philippines were reached from Borneo 4–5times in the Late Miocene and Early Pliocene, and the Asian mainland 6–7times in the Pliocene. Domesticated giant taro originated on the Philippines, Chinese taro on the Asian mainland.

Antioxidant Capacity and Antimutagenicity of Thermal Processed Thai Foods

Ten different foods containing local Thai vegetables were selected to study their antioxidant and antimutagenic properties. The antioxidant capacity, antimutagenicity, and total phenolic content of methanol extracts obtained from cooked food samples exhibited a wide variation ranging from 24-140 mg vitamin C equivalent/100 g, 53-93% and 35-125 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g. The three foods highest in antioxidant capacity were Kaeng Hoi Bai Chaplu (wild betal curry), Phat Sator (stir-fried petai beans), and Kaeng Pa Gai (mixed vegetables curry). The foods that exhibited an antimutagenicity greater than 85% were Tomkathi Saibua (water lily stalk curry), Kaeng Pa Gai, Kaeng Taipla (southern curry), and Kaeng Lueang Khun (giant taro stem curry). Next, aiming to develop retort pouch food products, the effect of sterilization heat (121°C) on four selected foods was studied. Antioxidant capacity, antimutagenicity, and total phenolic content increased by 0-120%, 13-40%, and 6-54% after sterilization, respectively.