Local Food Plants Research Articles

Pemanfaatan Kebun Pangan Lokal untuk Meningkatkan Ketahanan Pangan Keluarga dan Mencegah Stunting

Stunting is a form of inhibited child growth process caused by a lack of chronic nutrient intake and recurrent infectious diseases. Consuming nutritious food is one of the keys to preventing stunting. The local food plants became one of the alternatives to getting nutritious sources of food. The purpose of dedication to this community is to empower and prosper families by conducting training on the use of local food gardens in the home market as well as the creation of local MP-ASI. The program emphasizes the empowerment efforts of families that focus on mothers as the tip of the effort to reduce stunting in the community by exploiting the outcomes of the market around the house in order to add nutritional value to the family food especially the newborn. As for Kalurahan Pandowoharjo, Kapanewon Sleman, Sleman District selected as the target location based on consideration that this area includes the focus of stunting handling in Sleman district and is a model of the village Friendly to Women and Caring for Children. As a result of dedication to this community, there has been an increase in knowledge whereas the mother's skill from the beginning did not have the skills in growing crops in the home and made the local MP-ASI to become skilled in growing food crops especially vegetables and fruits in the marketplace of the home with polybag media and also became skilled at preparing local MP-ASI by paying attention to the age, quantity, frequency, consistency and variation of food.

Sustainable Food Security: An Ethnobotanical Study of Dlingo Village, Grobogan Regency

Abstract The United Nation Sustainable Development Goals were designed as interrelated guidelines for the development of a better future for all mankind. the Covid 19 pandemic related shut down of trade and the post pandemic food shortages have put increasing pressure to develop locally based sustainable food security. This food security can be found in the self-sufficient semi-subsistence Javanese village community in Dlingo, Grobogan Regency. The efficient allocation of land resources through the systematic distribution of food crops from the sawah (paddy fields), kebun (gardens), common areas, and pekarangan (home gardens), along with dietary practices that utilize locally sourced components, contribute to an ideal state of food self-sufficiency. Through semi structured interviews and field observations, all local food plant species were catalogued and categorized by taxonomy, utility and cultural significance index. The staple foods: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) (50.00), corn (Zea mays L.) (44.70), and Casava (Manihot esculenta L.) (24,30) demonstrated the highest scores reflecting both the agricultural practice of corn-rice crop rotation and the dietary habits of Dlingo village that produce sego jagung, processed corn with a rice-like texture. Traditional salads such as urap-urapan, pecel, and rujak along with traditional soups such as jangan lodeh, jangan asem, and sop still dominates the dietary habits of people from Dlingo optimizing the local fruits, vegetables, and spices further sustainably providing food security.

Clear-cuts support the metapopulation of a critically endangered butterfly

Clear-cutting is believed to have a negative impact on forest biodiversity, but numerous studies have also shown its positive effects, especially in temperate and boreal regions. This phenomenon is mainly related to the creation of early successional habitats that serve as temporary meadows. Among the species that benefit the most are those associated with semi-natural grasslands, i.e. biotopes that have been disappearing from the landscape due to agricultural intensification. A good example is the Danube Clouded Yellow Colias myrmidone, one of the most endangered butterflies in Europe. Its last lowland metapopulation in the EU exists in the Knyszyn Forest (north-eastern Poland), but the species occurrence is limited to the eastern parts of this large forest complex. All currently known habitats are forest clear-cuts located mainly on former agricultural land, i.e. mostly extensively used pastures that were afforested in the 20th century. Chamaecytisus ruthenicus, the only local larval food plant of C. myrmidone, is currently found almost exclusively in first-generation forests. Logging allows the host plants to flourish, and clear-cuts are colonized by the butterfly. In 2022, intensive mark-release-recapture studies were carried out in the focal metapopulation. The estimated metapopulation size was 4643 adults, indicating a six-fold increase compared to previous studies conducted in 2017. This was plausibly mainly due to the increase in the area of potential habitats, as butterfly densities were very similar in both seasons. The improved connectivity between habitat patches resulted in a very high proportion of dispersing individuals successfully reaching other patches, which is in contrast to the dispersal mortality of ca. 50% observed five years earlier. A relatively high mobility was also observed in the case of the much smaller spring generation. To our knowledge, this is the first study to document a reversal of selection against dispersal and it demonstrates that such changes can occur relatively quickly, i.e. within a few generations. In order to ensure the long-term persistence of the viable C. myrmidone metapopulation and mitigate the negative effects of climate change, a network of stable forest-steppe-like habitats in combination with the creation of clear-cuts in forest stands with presence of C. ruthenicus would be optimal. To achieve this, we recommend leaving some selected clear-cuts without replanting to restore grasslands (through grazing and removal of excess trees, shrubs and invasive plants), while the suitability of ephemeral habitats could be improved through appropriate silvicultural measures.

Local Wild Food Plants and Food Products in a Multi-Cultural Region: An Exploratory Study among Diverse Ethnic Groups in Bessarabia, Southern Moldova

A growing number of studies have acknowledged that food and ethnobotanical heritage have traditionally played a crucial role in the resilience of local communities, and their potentially crucial role in addressing future challenges posed by the turbulent changes affecting food systems worldwide. However, the issue of how and why food heritage changes across cultures within the same or similar foodscapes is still largely under-investigated. To partially contribute to this debate, we conducted exploratory fieldwork research in 15 villages in the Bessarabia region in the southern part of Moldova. We aim to record this multiethnic region’s contemporary food and ethnobotanical heritage, focusing on the culinary uses and knowledge of plants, dishes, and artisanal food products. A total of 91 persons (37 men and 54 women) belonging to some of the most representative ethnic groups of the area (i.e., Moldovans, Gagauz, Bulgarians, and Ukrainians) were involved in this study. Among these groups, we recorded 66 plant and fungal taxa, as well as 42 traditional artisanal home-produced local food products and dishes. Overall, Moldovans showed a more vigorous food and ethnobotanical diversity in terms of the mentioned items than the other groups. Based on our exploratory field study, we identified possible factors that could be investigated to better explain the less biodiverse food heritage among the other three considered groups.

Very High Food Plant Diversity among Ethnic Groups in Northern Thailand

The combination of the high biodiversity and many ethnicities in Thailand results in extensive ethnobotanical studies, especially in the northern part of the country. Here we have assembled 7620 records from 60 references regarding how plants are used for food among 14 ethnicities in northern Thailand. The uses are based on 1182 different plant species. Vegetables are the most common food category, which contributed more than 60% of all use-reports and involved nearly 900 species. This was followed by the dessert fruit category, which included about 350 species and over 1800 use-reports. The similarity among the different ethnicities was low and the number of uses and species recorded among different ethnicities were significantly related to the number of studies that had been conducted for each group. This implies that additional ethnobotanical studies are still needed in order to conserve and compile the valuable traditional knowledge related to food plants. Many exotic species are now an important part of traditional knowledge, whereas rare endemic species are uncommon among wild food plants. This situation leads to a loss of traditional knowledge about food plants and reduced awareness of their importance. As a key to using this great reservoir of food for local people, traditional knowledge related to local wild food plants can contribute to the zero-hunger goal of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). More studies on the nutrient content and health properties of these plants could lead to the development of new crops to meet present consumer demands.

Physical and Sensory Characteristics of Food Bar Based on Beneng Taro (Xanthosoma undipes K. Koch) and Soy Protein Isolate

Beneng taro, a local food plant in Banten Province, has enormous potential to be developed as an effort to diversify food, one of which is used as a raw material in the manufacture of food bars. Ingredients formulation and roasting temperature can affect the characteristics of the resulting food bar. Therefore, researchers consider it necessary to conduct research related to the physical and sensory characteristics of food bars based on beneng taro, mocaf and soy protein isolate as one of food diversification, as well as the best formulation and roasting temperature of the food bar. This study used a completely randomized split plot design with two factors, namely roasting temperature and ingredients formulation. The L* value, a* value, and texture were all significantly impacted by the roasting temperature, according to the results. Meanwhile, the L*, a*, and b* values were significantly impacted by the addition of beneng taro flour and soy protein isolate. The a* value, b* value, as well as the panelists' evaluation of the color, texture, and overall parameters are significantly impacted by the interaction between the two factors. The formulas for the chosen food bars contained 30% taro flour and 70% soy protein isolate, and they were baked at 140 °C (S 2 R 2 ) with the following characteristics: texture 26,59 N; L* value 46,75; a* 14,99; b* 32,17; and the value of preference for color, taste, aroma, texture and overall is 2,23; 2,10; 2,23; 2,15; and 2,25.

ETNOBOTANI TUMBUHAN PANGAN LOKAL MASYARAKAT TAPALANG KABUPATEN MAMUJU SULAWESI BARAT

Local food plants are types of plants that are used as food by a certain community. This is related to the culture and customs of an area so it is necessary to study its ethnobotanical aspects. The aim of this study was to take an inventory of various types of local plants in Tapalang District, Mamuju Regency, West Sulawesi Province and their utilization as food ingredients. This study uses a mix method approach, which is a combination of qualitative and quantitative. The research design used is sequential exploratory. The research stages include a) interviews with respondents, b) observations of local food plants, c) sampling and identification, d) data analysis. The research results obtained include 83 species of local food plants in Tapalang District. These plant species are grouped into 41 families. Plant parts used include fruit, leaves, fruit stalks, stem starch, flowers, shoots, seeds, and tubers. These food plants are used in various forms such as direct consumption of the fruit, made into spices, made into snacks, as a mixture of dishes, cake mixes, and so on. The highest of using value species (UVs) was obtained from coconut which was used by consuming its flesh, made into oil, cooking mixtures, made into coconut milk, and as cake mixtures. The highest family using value (FUV) was obtained from the Caricaceae and Cactaceae families. Most of the local food plants in the Tapalang district can be found in the gardens and yards of residents' houses.

Potential and nutritional properties of local food plants from Angola to combat malnutrition − suitable alternatives to frequently cultivated crops

Potential and nutritional properties of local food plants from Angola to combat malnutrition − suitable alternatives to frequently cultivated crops

Entomopathogenic Fungi Infecting Lepidopteran Larvae: A Case from Central Argentina.

Immature stages of insects are vulnerable to various antagonists, including pathogens. While the abiotic factors affecting pathogen prevalence in insect populations are reasonably well documented, much less is known about relevant ecological interactions. We studied the probability of the larvae of three lepidopteran species to die from fungal infection as a function of insect species and food plants in central Argentina. Local free-growing food plants were used to feed the lepidopteran larvae. The prevalence of entomopathogenic fungi remained low (about 5%), which is a value well consistent with observations on similar systems in other regions. Eight fungal species recorded, primarily belonging to Fusarium and Aspergillus, add evidence to the reconsideration of the nutritional modes in these genera in distinguishing the role of some species (complexes) to cause insect infections. Food plant species were found to have a substantial effect on the prevalence of entomopathogenic fungi. This was especially clear for the most abundant fungal species, a representative of the Fusarium fujikuroi complex. Feeding on a particular plant taxon can thus have a specific fitness cost. Compared to the data collected from Northern Europe, the Argentinian assemblages from the families Aspergillaceae and Nectriaceae overlapped at the genus level but did not share species. It remains to be confirmed if this level of divergence in the composition of assemblages of entomopathogenic fungi among distant regions represents a global pattern.

Several local food plants with the potential as hosts for Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract. Nelly N, Hamid H, Lina EC, Yunisman, Hidrayani, Widyasari DM. 2022. Several local food plants with the potential as hosts for Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Biodiversitas 23: 1693-1699. Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) or abbreviated as FAW is a major invasive pest of corn crops in America, its native country. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effect of several plant types as hosts on FAW biology and reproduction. It was conducted at the Insect Bioecology Laboratory, Department of Plant Protection, Andalas University using a completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 treatments and 4 replications. The FAW larvae from the field were fed with different plant leaves, namely corn (Zea mays), rice (Oryza sativa), soybeans (Glycine max), and reared until the second generation. Meanwhile, the larvae in the second generation were used as test insects with different feed treatments. Observations were made on the morphology and life parameters of FAW, including the length of the stadia, egg, larvae, pupae, and adult, as well as the laying time and pattern, with the number of eggs produced. The results showed that there were no morphological differences in S. frugiperda, except for the size. Moreover, the body size of the adult-derived from larvae fed with soybean leaves, namely 25.95 mm, was the smallest compared to corn and rice, while the shortest time for larvae development from instar I to VI was obtained with corn leaf feed for 13.55 days. The life span of females derived from larvae fed on soybean leaves was shorter than the others. Larvae fed on soybeans, female life span was 26.00, rice was 34.00 and corn was 31.44 days. Adult females of larvae given soybean leaves produced the highest number of eggs (879.44 eggs) compared to rice (505.00 eggs) and maize (546.33 eggs). Local food crops other than corn, namely rice and soybeans, can be potential hosts for S. frugiperda.

An ethnobotanical survey of wild food plants used by the local communities of Kumrat Valley in District Upper Dir, Pakistan

Background: Local people of the Kumrat Valley, district Upper Dir in Northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan rely on wild food plants (WFP) for nutrition, medicine, and monetary value. The present study aimed to accomplish a detailed investigation of local wild food plants and their therapeutic importance to identify innovative organic food products that show potential for local marketing through their use prevalence and monetary value. Methods: Semi-structured interviews and group discussion, were conducted from May to September 2019. In the field survey, 78 local participants were selected using random sampling. Ethnobotanical data were analyzed using Use Value (UV), Informant Agreement Ratio (IAR), and Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC). Results: A total of 50 species of wild food plants and 2 fungal species of 30 botanical families and 40 genera were encountered. Family Rosaceae dominated with the highest species number (6 species), followed by Moraceae and Leguminosae. With respect to life forms, herbs constituted (60%), trees (30%), and shrubs (30%). Ripe fruits (43%) were the most frequently used part of wild foods. Conclusions: Important species may serve to guide development initiatives aimed at sustainable and culturally local projects. Traditional knowledge can be used for the synthesis of new allopathic medicines. Keywords: Ethnobotany; Wild food plant; Medicinal uses; Kumrat Valley; Upper Dir

Dietary diversity and its determinants among Khasi and Garo indigenous women (15 to 49 years) in Meghalaya, northeast India.

Despite generally high agrobiodiversity, the Khasi and Garo indigenous people in Meghalaya have poor nutritional status among children and women. To assess the dietary diversity of the Khasi and Garo indigenous women of reproductive age in Meghalaya, while examining the associated factors that affect it and to map the diversity of local food plants. A dietary survey was conducted through 24-hour recall with 276 women from 28 villages of Meghalaya. The mapping of local food plants was conducted through key informant interviews and focus group discussions in the same villages. The mean minimum dietary diversity for women is 4.22 (SD ±1.26); with one-third (37%) of the women attaining a minimum dietary diversity of five or more food groups in a day. There were significant differences in the dietary diversity among the indigenous groups, the Garo community attaining higher minimum dietary diversity for women. There was also an inverse association between the number of land uses and dietary diversity. The mean number of food plants (including crop varieties) found in each village is 203 (SD±45.7). There is potential to enhance dietary diversity through diversifying lesser consumed crops such as vitamin A-rich vegetables and fruits, nuts, seeds and green leafy vegetables in existing land holdings. Also, proper management and access to the commons will provide a sustainable resource base for diet and food security, enhance dietary diversity and bridge the hidden hunger among children and women.

Local Ecological Knowledge on Food Materials of Land Plant Origin in Kabola Ethnic Communities in Alor District, East Nusa Tengara Province

Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) regarding local food plants is knowledge that is owned by local communities and is passed down from generation to generation. LED is obtained through a long process of adaptation and is used by local communities to address environmental problems. The Kabola ethnic group also has LEK regarding food plants used to solve food problems on dry land, but the LEK owned by the Kabola ethnic community is in danger of being lost. The method used is a mixed method (Mixed Methodology), which combines qualitative methods and quantitative methods, data collection begins with an exploration using a qualitative case study method by means of in-depth interviews followed by a quantitative survey method of the plant species mentioned during the interview. The results showed that the Kabola ethnic group still collects wild food plants from forests, former gardens and riverbanks, even though they have cultivated various types of food crops; The Kabola ethnic group community collects food plants during the rainy season and dry season, but most food gathering activities are carried out at the end of the rainy season and during the dry season; The people of the Kabola ethnic group collect food by using simple tools while leaving certain parts of the plant from which the food is collected; The people of the Kabola ethnic group still pass on local knowledge about foodstuffs to the younger generation through stories, personal experiences and providing examples or direct practices about plants that can be used to meet food needs; The Kabola ethnic group cultivates local food plants, but these cultivation efforts are only carried out individually and have not received support from the local government.

Phytochemical contents of a local food plant Saekan (Mollugo oppositofolia Linn.) in Pandi, Bulacan

The present study was undertaken to confirm the phytochemical contents of Saekan (Mollugo oppositofolia Linn.) The plant sample was first confirmed by the Bureau of Plant Industry with a scientific name Mollugo oppositofolia Linn. and a common name Saekan/Papait/Salsalida plant under the family Aizoaceae. The results from a phytochemical analysis of about 500 grams of dried whole plant sample in the Chemistry Laboratory of the Department of Science and Technology Region III (DOST III) Office confirmed that alkaloidal compounds, a phytochemical with antimicrobial, anthelminthic, and antidiarrheal properties were present due to the formation of turbidity or white precipitate using Meyer Test; a reddish-brown layer that turned to blue/purple showed in the Keller-Killiani Test proved the presence of glycosides which has anti-diarrheal properties; and Saponins were found to be in the plant using Froth Test due to a formation of froth which has anthelmintic, antidiarrheal, and anticancer properties.

Local Markets: Agrobiodiversity Reservoirs and Access Points for Farmers' Plant Propagation Materials

Local markets are access points to local agrobiodiversity and to part of the informal seed systems on which most small-scale farmers worldwide depend. With the urgent need for more sustainable food systems, detailed studies of the food plant diversity in local markets contribute to a better understanding of the role of local markets in a functioning rural food system. In particular, the products that farmers trade and also use for plant propagation are of interest, i.e., seeds and other propagules such as cuttings, pseudostems, rhizomes, or tubers purposes, since they represent our genetic capital for food production. This study aims to show the role of local markets as access points for plant propagation materials and their contribution to regional in situ conservation of local food plant resources. We analyzed the inter- and intra-specific food plant diversity of the products from local merchants in 10 markets in the agrobiodiversity rich region of the Huasteca Potosina, Mexico. We recorded 275 different food plants consisting of 99 plant species, which have a high intraspecific richness of 210 variants. The list includes 58 species that are useful for propagation. The average number of variants suitable for propagation at each market is 58.4. The results show that the different richness parameters vary within and between the inventoried markets. They correlate partially to different factors like market size and origin. We conclude that local markets in the Huasteca Potosina are important components of the rural food system by providing access to a great variety of local food plants, as well as to seeds and other propagation materials for farming. However, diversity may be threatened, because of the high average proportion of unique and rare food plants (63.5%) in the markets. Also, almost half (45.1%) of the total richness is present in <1% of the inventoried stands. Political actions are needed to maintain and promote the use and conservation of this diversity in the future.

Diversity of local food crops in Central Java

Food needs serious handling in responding to the challenges of environmental changes and population growth. The diversity of local food crops has the advantage as a source of nutrition and breeding materials. The research aims to determine diverse local food crops in Central Java. A total of 120 farmers were selected by purposive random sampling from Tegal, Brebes, Banjarnegara, and Karanganyar regency, based on different agro-ecological sequences. The field inventory found 257 varieties of 11 types of exotic crops. The compositions of local rice varieties (Indica and Javanica) included seven red rice, nine black rice, 27 white rice, 17 glutinous rice, one animal feed rice, three upland rice, and eight aromatic ones. The frequency of the species distribution rate proves was very narrow in Tegal-Brebes, limited in Banjarnegara, and spread evenly in Karanganyar. The Shannon Diversity Index revealed the diverse species in a region. Banjarnegara had the highest species abundance index. The relationship between the Shannon Diversity Index and Equitability Index illustrates the dominant types of local food plants, especially in Karanganyar dominated by rice. The Sorensen Similarity Coefficient was used to estimate the level of structural similarity between species and regions. Tegal-Brebes have similar species composition and agro-ecological.

ETNOBOTANI TUMBUHAN SUMBER PANGAN MASYARAKAT DAYAK BIDAYUH DI DESA HLI BUEI KECAMATAN SIDING KABUPATEN BENGKAYANG

Food plants have long been used by local people of Hli Buei Village, Siding Subdistrict, Bengkayang District because of their simple processing and available in the forest. For generations, the village community has been accustomed to using food sources for their daily staple food needs. In addition, local food plants are still widely used because there is no market in Hli Buei Village. Until now, the use of plant food sources in Hli Buei Village, Siding Subdistrict, Bengkayang District has never been studied. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct research on the Ethnobotany of Plant Food for the Dayak Bidayuh Community in Hli Buei Village, Siding Subdistrict, Bengkayang District. The aim is to provide information about food plant species, utilization and processing of food source plants in Hli Buei Village, Siding Subdistrict, Bengkayang District. The research method is a survey method and data collection techniques by interview. Determination of respondents by purposive sampling in addition to observation and study of literature. Based on the results of interviews that have been conducted, there were 95 species from 44 families. The level of plant habitus that is widely used comes from the tree level (29.47%), herbs (28.42%), shrubs (22.1%), and the least is epiphyte (1.05%). The most part of the mash which used as food of the fruit, namely as many as 55 species (57.89%), leaves 17 species (17.89%) and the lowest was in the stems, shoots, tubers, flower buds, skin, fruit and heart, fruit. and umbut, fruit, tuber and water, terrace stem and tuber each 1 type (1.05%). Utilization of the most food plant groups came from the fruit group, namely 36 species (37.89%) and the lowest was the 3 species of cereals (3.15%).Keywords: Dayak Bidayuh, Ethnobotany, Plant Food

Macro- and Micronutrients from Traditional Food Plants Could Improve Nutrition and Reduce Non-Communicable Diseases of Islanders on Atolls in the South Pacific.

Pacific Islanders have paid dearly for abandoning traditional diets, with diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCD) widespread. Starchy root crops like sweet potato, taro, and cassava are difficult to grow on the potassium-deficient soils of atolls, and high energy, low nutrient imported foods and drinks are popular. Nutritious, leafy food plants adapted to alkaline, salty, coral soils could form part of a food system strategy to reduce NCD rates. This project targeted four atolls south of Tarawa, Kiribati, and was later extended to Tuvalu. Mineral levels in diverse, local leafy food plants were compared to reveal genotype–environment interactions. Food plants varied in ability to accumulate minerals in leaves and in tolerance of mineral-deficient soils. Awareness activities which included agriculture, health, and education officers targeted atoll communities. Agriculture staff grew planting material in nurseries and provided it to farmers. Rejuvenation of abandoned giant swamp taro pits to form diversified nutritious food gardens was encouraged. Factsheets promoted the most suitable species from 24 analyzed, with multiple samples of each. These included Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (chaya), Pseuderanthemum whartonianum (ofenga), Polyscias scutellaria (hedge panax), and Portulaca oleracea (purslane). The promoted plants have been shown in other studies to have anti-NCD effects. Inclusion of the findings in school curricula and practical application in the form of demonstration school food gardens, as well as increased uptake by farmers, are needed. Further research is needed on bioavailability of minerals in plants containing phytates and tannins.

The virtues of being peripheral, recreational, and transnational: local wild food and medicinal plant knowledge in selected remote municipalities of Calabria, Southern Italy

Background: The Italian “Strategy for Inner Areas” includes a series of actions to avoid depopulation of rural areas by safeguarding the territory from hydrogeological instability and triggering development. Such strategy classified each municipality according to the distance to a centre defined as a town where certain services are provided. This article analyses the ethnobotanical knowledge in four villages distant from a centre. Moreover, it discusses the effect of a millennium-old sacred natural site (SNS), the Certosa of Serra San Bruno, on the local ethnobotanical knowledge.Methods: Sixty semi-structured interviews were conducted among elderly inhabitants of two peripheral and two ultra-peripheral Calabrian villages in 2017 and 2018. The interviews focused on the use of local wild and semi-wild plants currently gathered, for both culinary and medicinal purposes, and the modes of preparation and consumption. Results: Our study reveals that in Calabria ethnobotanical knowledge is better preserved when it can contribute to household food security in contexts of remoteness and extremely poor economic conditions or when relative well-being allows spending time foraging as a recreational activity. Moreover, we found peculiar ethnobotanical practices in Serra San Bruno which may have been introduced by the monastic community and may have contributed to the creation of a “glocal” ethnobotany by introducing knowledge from other European contexts. Conclusions : In conclusion, the “Strategy for Inner Areas” should target the rich ethnobotanical traditional knowledge still present in Calabria as it may represent a powerful tool for achieving sustainable development of peripheral and ultra-peripheral areas.Keywords: Ethnobotany; Inner Areas; Peripheral; Traditional Ecological Knowledge; Sacred Natural Sites

AMYLOGRAPHY PROFILE AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF BENENG TARO BANTEN (Xanthosoma undipes K. Koch) STARCH

High demand of flour import for food applications was a big threaten for food security in Indonesia. The utilization of carbohydrate sources from local food plants can be an alternative to overcome this problem. Beneng taro is a local food from Pandeglang, Banten Province that potential to be used as composite flour. The application of food products, Beneng taro can be used as starch. The purpose of this study is to analyze the characteristics of Beneng taro starch on the amylographic profile of the granules and their morphology. The extraction method used is wet extraction using distilled water. The ratio of taro and distilled water used is 1: 3. The optimum formulation (1: 3) was then tested for morphological properties using SEM instrument and amylograph profile using RVA instrument. SEM test results showed uniform starch granules and polygon-shaped granules. The amylographic profile shown a maximum viscosity of 1075cP with a temperature of 92.4 o C at 270 seconds, a set back value of 186 cP and a break down of 214 cP. Based on the amylographic profile, beneng taro starch still has many weaknesses (large set back and break down) so it needs to be modified so that it can be applied to food products.