Solanum Aethiopicum Research Articles

Ethnonutritional study of fruits of Solanum aethiopicum L. and Solanum melongena L. in the district of Galim (Bamboutos) in West Cameroon

Solanum aethiopicum L. and Solanum melongena L. are endemic plants whose fruits are used in the composition of cultural dishes in West Cameroon including Yellow, Black, Eggplant, Nkui and Okra sauces. This work aims to conduct an ethnonutritional study based on the knowledge and consumption of these dishes. Surveys were carried out including 480 persons of the district of Galim (Kieneghang I and Mbezaté) in the Bamboutos division in West Cameroon and the results revealed that the vernacular and common names for Solanum aethiopicum L. and Solanum melongena L. are respectively “Shusshui” and “sweet egglant”; “Nzuinzuiè” and “bitter eggplant”. These fruits are rounded and spindle in shape. The fruits of Solanum aethiopicum L. exist in green, yellow and red colors with a mild flavor, while those of Solanum melongena L. are red and bitter. These fruits are preserved by sun-drying, smoking, and parboiled before drying. Their cultivation is traditional with a duration of 3–7 months using organic and chemical fertilizers. The age group 41–50 years had a good knowledge of fruits while the age group over 60 years had a better consumption frequency of eggplant-dishes. In addition, these fruits have important cultural values during traditional ceremonies at births, weddings, funerals, symbolisms such as acceptance, reconciliation, hospitality, consideration, and valorisation. These populations had knowledge for the prevention and or treatment of diabetes (6.66%), high blood pressure (25%), obesity (13.54%), cancers (1.66%) and mouth ulcers (2.70%). The valorization of these fruits could constitute a means of preserving cultural heritage.

EVALUATION AND RISK ASSESSMENT OF TRACE METAL IN Solanum aethiopicum GROWN AROUND MECHANIC WORKSHOPS IN UMUAHIA ABIA STATE, NIGERIA.

The careless dumping of waste from automobile workshops has significantly increased the concentration of trace metals in the surrounding environment. This study investigated the health risk assessment associated with Solanum aethiopicum fruit consumption. Soil and Solanum aethiopicum, plant from Umuahia automobile workshop were analyzed for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Li, Ni, Pb and Zn. This was done using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrophotometer (ICP-OES), while Hg was analysed using a Cold Vapour Atomic Fluorescence Spectrophotometer (CV-AFS) after acid digestion. The average concentration of As, Cd, Cu, Zn, Fe, Pb, Ni, Hg, Li and Cr in the fruit were 7.16±0.03, 1.68±0.16, 5.03±0.03, 19.45±0.32, 76.21±0.73, 6.23±0.45, 3.87±0.17, 0.0003±0.0001, 0.003±0.001 and 15.35±0.22 mg/kg, respectively. The HRI obtained for Cd was the highest 1.821 while the THQ was 1.82135. Fruit had trace metal concentrations higher than the USEPA, WHO, and FAO's approved permitted standards. Cd, Cr and Pb were determined to be the primary contributing factor linked to the development of health hazards and carcinogenic risk based on the results of the risk assessment. It is therefore appropriate to educate the public on the potential risks associated with consuming garden eggs from Umuahia automobile workshop.

Characterisation of Fusarium and Neocosmospora Species Associated With Crown Rot and Wilt of African Eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum) in Ghana

ABSTRACTAfrican eggplant (AEP) (Solanum aethiopicum group Gilo) is an important vegetable with considerable economic value in Ghana and tropical Africa. However, fungal diseases threaten its cultivation. Surveys conducted in 2021 and 2022 growing seasons across 35 commercial farms in five regions of Ghana revealed symptoms of crown rot and wilt affecting AEP. This study was undertaken to identify and characterise 36 fungal isolates causing these diseases in AEPs using morphological, molecular and pathogenicity assays. Morphological and molecular analyses of the Btub2, Tef‐1α and Rpb2 sequences identified two Fusarium species (F. elaeidis and F. fredkrugeri) and three Neocosmospora species (N. falciforme, N. suttoniana and N. solani) associated with the plant diseases. F. elaeidis (14 isolates) and N. falciforme (14) were the most commonly isolated species from symptomatic plants. Specifically, F. elaeidis was found in wilting plants, while F. fredkrugeri and the three Neocosmospora spp. were more associated with wilting plants with crown rot symptoms than plants with only wilt symptoms. All identified species exhibited pathogenicity when inoculated onto AEP roots and stems, confirming field observations. F. elaeidis was the most aggressive in inducing wilt symptoms, while N. solani and N. suttoniana were particularly aggressive in inducing crown rot symptoms. This study is the first to document that F. elaeidis, F. fredkrugeri, N. falciforme and N. suttoniana are pathogens causing wilt and crown rot in AEP in Ghana. These findings provide essential insights for developing effective disease management strategies to reduce losses from these fungal species.

Derivation of seed viability constants (KE and CW) and prediction of longevity of Solanum aethiopicum seeds

The seed viability equation uses species viability constants to predict seed longevity under different storage conditions. There are already established universal values of constants that account for the effect of temperature on seed longevity (CH and CQ) which can be applied to different crop species. However, constants accounting for the effect of seed moisture (CW) and genotype (KE) are species-specific. This study aimed to derive viability constants and predict seed longevity for African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum) under genebank conditions. The seeds were subjected to experimental storage at 40°C and different seed moisture contents (6, 8, 10 and 12%) for 120 days to derive survival curves and hence, CW and KE. CW and KE values for S. aethiopicum were 3.32 and 7.4978, respectively. The validation of the derived constants show that they can be used to predict seed longevity of other seed lots within the same species. The genebank curators and other commercial seed technologists may be able to accurately predict longevity of African eggplant seeds under cold dry storage conditions using the improved viability equation and the constants established in this research.

Irrigation and oil palm empty fruit bunch mulch enhance eggplant growth, radiation interception and dry matter yield

Organic mulching is a well-known management practice that conserves soil water and nutrients as well as increases crop yield. Nonetheless, research on combined organic mulching using oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) and irrigation is limited. Field-based experiments were conducted over three seasons to test the sole and combined effects of EFB as organic mulch and irrigation on the growth, total dry matter yield (TDMY), accumulated intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (AIPAR), and radiation use efficiency (RUE) of African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) in a low fertile tropical sandy clay loam soil. Air-dried EFB was used as an organic mulch by spreading it on the soil surface at rates of 0 (EFB0), 20 (EFB20), and 40 t ha−1 (EFB40), and either fully-irrigated (I100), deficit-irrigated (I40), or non-irrigated (I0). The I100 plots were irrigated to field capacity (FC) every 3–4 days based on PR2 Profile Probe measurements and the resultant irrigation volume supplied to the plants via drip irrigation tubes. The I40 plots received 40 % of the water given to the I100 plots, and the I0 plots were solely rain-fed. At the end of the third season, the 40 t ha−1 EFB-mulch increased soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic carbon, potassium, cation exchange capacity, and the soil’s specific surface area. In the first season, all the measured eggplant growth and yield parameters were neither responsive to irrigation only, EFB-mulch only, or both. In the second and third seasons, the EFB20 and EFB40 treatments significantly (p < 0.05) increased leaf chlorophyll content index (LCCI), photosystem II (Fv/Fm ratio), absolute performance index (PIabs), TDMY, AIPAR, and RUE compared to the non-mulched control treatment. Soil pH was high in the EFB-mulched plots and correlated positively with TDMY and AIPAR. The I100 significantly improved LCCI, Fv/Fm, PIabs, and TDMY during the second season. In the third season, a highly significant interaction between irrigation and mulching was detected on TDMY, AIPAR, RUE, LCCI, Fv/Fm ratio, and pH (H2O). This indicated a positive effect on soil nutrient availability especially phosphorus as TDMY and AIPAR correlated with soil pH. The I100 and I40 significantly increased AIPAR by 48.1 % and 37.2 %, and RUE by 26.7 % and 11.0 %, respectively, compared to I0 during the third season. The total dry matter yield of the African eggplant was enhanced by EFB-mulch, with the effect increasing over up to three growing seasons, especially when combined with irrigation during dry periods.

Effects of pesticide residues on the growth and yield of vegetables at Navrongo of Ghana

BackgroundThe constant use of pesticides on farmlands is a source of food poison and potential cause of disease to humans in most parts of Africa. The lack of in-depth knowledge on the choices of use of the pesticides and their applications by most farmers in our African communities is a key to unsafe food and unhealthy living. Furthermore, the impact of some of these pesticides on the growth and yield of vegetable crops is largely unexplored. The present research was conducted in the Tono Irrigation Dam area of Navrongo, Ghana, where vegetable cultivation holds substantial economic importance making it a critical aspect of the local economy. In this study, we identified prevalent pesticides used in Navrongo’s vegetable cultivation, quantified pesticide residues present in selected vegetables grown, and assessed the impact of the pesticides on the vegetable crops’ growth and yields.MethodsThirty vegetable farmers at the Tono Irrigation Dam Area, Navrongo were randomly selected, and interviewed face to face. Questionnaires were also employed for data acquisition. Vegetables were sampled by dividing the farmland of each of the vegetable types in to three equal portions, and from each of the three portions, one sample was collected which was then put together with the other two samples as one. The samples were packed in zip-lock bags and kept at a cold temperature (− 20 ℃) before being transferred to the laboratory where they were thawed, homogenized and then subjected to extraction. The extract obtained was subjected to a clean-up process and then analyzed on a GC–MS instrument for pesticide detection and quantification.ResultsThe interview revealed number of years of farmers’ engagemrent in vegetable cultivation from one to ten, and identified four key vegetable varieties grown by the farmers: Capsicum annuum (pepper), Abelmoschus esculentus (okra), Solanum aethiopicum (garden egg) and Solanum lycopersicum (tomato). The data acquired gave identities or names of eight pesticides that are applied on the cultivated vegetables or farmlands by the farmers, and a decision on the vegetables selected for analysis in this study. Furthermore, the study revealed dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), k-optimal, lindane, and lambda-cyhalothrin to be among the pesticides in use, with DDT being a non-degradable, and the most widely applied pesticide. Notably, the DDT, lindane, and hexachlorocyclohexane, residues exceeded safety limits set by the European Commission in pepper, garden egg and okra. Unfortunately, banned pesticides such as heptachlor and aldrin were detected in the cultivated vegetables. More alarmingly, the commonly used DDT and lambda-cyhalothrin in the vegetable cultivation were found to hinder seed germination and seedling vigor in an investigation.ConclusionsThe DDT, lindane, and hexachlorocyclohexane, residues detected in the pepper, garden egg and okra samples that exceeded safety limits render these vegetables unsafe for human consumption. The banned heptachlor and aldrin detected in the vegetables indicate long-lasting environmental contamination. The commonly used DDT and lambda-cyhalothrin in the vegetable cultivation found to hinder seed germination and seedling vigor, indicate their non-degradability and substantial growth impediments. This present study therefore underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and informs pesticide practices to safeguard both crops and public health in the district. We recommend further research be conducted to assess the potential health implications associated with the cultivation and consumption of vegetables in Navrongo, Ghana.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Profiling of the Bioactive Compounds Present in Methanol Leaf Extract of Solanum Aethiopicum from Imo State, Nigeria

The study aimed to access the bioactive compounds and functional groups present in Solanum aethiopicum using the Gas Chromatography coupled with mass spectrometer (GCMS) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The GCMS showed Solanum aethiopicum showed a total of thirty-seven bioactive compound with the highest abundance being Squalene (21.13%), Palmitoleic acid (16.63%), 13-Octadecenal (16.63%) and 9-Octadecenoic acid (17.62%). Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy of Solanum aethiopicum showed the presence of functional groups which include alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, primary (10) and secondary (20) amines, amides, imino, epoxy, peroxides, carboxylic esters, ethers, primary (10), secondary (20) and Tertiary (30) alcohols, phenols, aldehydes, thiols, cyanate, isocyanates and alkyl halides. These bioactive compounds with reference to literature revealed a variety of biological functions spanning across antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, analgesic, antimalarial, antifungal, anti-tumour, neuroprotective, anti-tumour, anti-cancer, anti-seizure, anti-allergy, anti beta-amyloid protein aggregation.

Rapid and low-cost screening for single and combined effects of drought and heat stress on the morpho-physiological traits of African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum) germplasm.

Drought and heat are two stresses that often occur together and may pose significant risks to crops in future climates. However, the combined effects of these two stressors have received less attention than single-stressor investigations. This study used a rapid and straightforward phenotyping method to quantify the variation in 128 African eggplant genotype responses to drought, heat, and the combined effects of heat and drought at the seedling stage. The study found that the morphophysiological traits varied significantly among the 128 eggplants, highlighting variation in response to abiotic stresses. Broad-sense heritability was high (> 0.60) for chlorophyll content, plant biomass and performance index, electrolyte leakage, and total leaf area. Positive and significant relationships existed between biomass and photosynthetic parameters, but a negative association existed between electrolyte leakage and morpho-physiological traits. The plants underwent more significant stress when drought and heat stress were imposed concurrently than under single stresses, with the impact of drought on the plants being more detrimental than heat. There were antagonistic effects on the morphophysiology of the eggplants when heat and drought stress were applied together. Resilient genotypes such as RV100503, RV100501, JAMBA, LOC3, RV100164, RV100169, LOC 3, RV100483, GH5155, RV100430, GH1087, GH1087*, RV100388, RV100387, RV100391 maintained high relative water content, low electrolyte leakage, high Fv/Fm ratio and performance index, and increased biomass production under abiotic stress conditions. The antagonistic interactions between heat and drought observed here may be retained or enhanced during several stress combinations typical of plants' environments and must be factored into efforts to develop climate change-resilient crops. This paper demonstrates improvised climate chambers for high throughput, reliable, rapid, and cost-effective screening for heat and drought and combined stress tolerance in plants.

Effect of Hybridization on the Nutrient Compositions of Two Cultivars of Solanum aethiopicum L. (Solanaceae) Found in Anambra State

The desire for modification of valuable crop species for human nutritional fulfilment and economic growth is essential. Two cultivars of Solanum aethiopicum L. found in Anambra State were hybridized to raise an F1 that might combine the attributes of the parental lines for enhancement in yield and biochemical contents for health nutritional requirements. The emasculation method was adopted, using Solanum aethiopicum var “Anara Adazi as the female parent and transference of functional pollen from Solanum aethiopicum var “Anara” to the stigmas of the emasculated plant at the correct time. Nutrient analysis of the fruits of F1 and the parental plants was carried out using the standard method. Analysis of variance was used for data analysis. Results revealed that parental plants and F1 contained investigated nutrients in varied amounts. Ash content, crude fiber and protein were higher in the fruit of F1 hybrid (10.90±0.11, 21.50±1.51, and 5.01±0.24) respectively when compared to the fruits of the parental plants. Data obtained indicated that when two Solanum aethiopicum plants of different but closely related cultivars are crossbred, a new hybrid that possesses enhanced characteristics of the two parent plants are produced. Results of the nutrients analysis demonstrated that hybridization could significantly increase food nutrients in eggplant (S. aethiopicum).

Amplicon sequencing identified a putative pathogen, Macrophomina phaseolina, causing wilt in African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum) grown in Tanzania and Uganda

African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) is one of the most common traditional vegetables in Tanzania and Uganda, but its productivity is severely affected by wilt diseases caused by a number of pathogens. Plant stem and root samples were collected in several fields from many neighboring diseased and healthy plants of the Gilo group in Tanzania and from the Shum group in Uganda to identify putative pathogens causing wilt on African eggplants. Through amplicon sequencing of sampled diseased and healthy tissues, we identified putative causal pathogens for the wilt symptoms. Wilting of S. aethiopicum in Uganda is most likely caused by the bacterial pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum whereas, in Tanzania, wilt is most likely caused by the fungal pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina, infecting roots. Infection of stems by Fusarium solani may also contribute to the wilt symptoms in Tanzania. Further artificial inoculation under controlled conditions confirmed that M. phaseolina can cause typical wilting symptoms on S. aethiopcium genotypes. The discovery of different putative causal agents of wilt in the crop demonstrates the need for site specific etiological analysis of wilt before developing and implementing effective control methods. Further research is needed to confirm the results and develop appropriate management measures against specific wilt pathogens.

Effects of transplanting and AMF inoculation on the fruit yield of African eggplants (Solanum aethiopicum and Solanum anguivi) in Tanzania

The African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L., Gilo group) is one of the most common traditional vegetables in Tanzania. The yield of the African eggplant in Tanzania is far lower than the potential yield expected, which is due primarily to biotic and abiotic stresses. We conducted experiments at two locations in Tanzania to study whether or not plant growth and the fruit yield of the Gilo group of African eggplant can be significantly improved through transplanting coupled with the inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) at sowing. Many plants, particularly for the directly sown treatment, died well before harvesting, and, in addition, many surviving plants showed symptoms of wilting. The transplanting of tray seedlings and using AMF inocula at sowing led to an overall significant increase in fruit yield by 30%–40% and 20%–25%, respectively. Increased fruit yield per experimental plot resulted primarily from a greater number of plants that survived and reached the harvesting stage. The exact effect of planting method (i.e., transplanting or direct sowing) and AMF inoculation, however, varied greatly with plant accessions. Further research is needed to understand the cause(s) for plant mortality in order to develop appropriate plant management practices.

Plant diversity and ethnobotanical importance of home gardens in Ghana’s middle belt: a cross-sectional survey of the Sunyani municipality

BackgroundHome gardens are a species-rich socioecological system with a diverse range of cultivated and naturally occurring plants with the potential to make contributions to address sustainable food, biodiversity and climate crisis. However, there is a dearth of information on the socio-demographic profile of home gardeners and the importance of home gardens to ethnobotany, food security and biodiversity. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the socio-demographic profile of home gardeners in the Sunyani municipality as a case in point for the middle belt of Ghana and to evaluate the diversity of plants in home gardens and their ethnobotanical importance.MethodsA total of 12 suburbs were selected from three subzones in the Sunyani municipality. In each suburb, 25% of households were randomly selected and if they had a home garden, one adult in the house was interviewed. A list of all plants in the home garden and their uses was obtained from respondents. A Chi-square test was used to assess the distribution of home gardeners among various socio-demographic categories, and binomial logistic regression was employed to determine links between socio-demography and home garden attributes. The ethnobotany R package was used to evaluate the ethnobotanical importance of plants in home gardens.ResultsA total of 186 respondents were recruited for this study, 79 being females and 107 males. A total of 79 plant species were also identified belonging to 70 genera and 40 families. Trees were the most common plant life form in home gardens, followed by shrubs, herbs, vines, grasses and lianas. Ethnobotanical indices revealed the most important plants in home gardens to be staples, food supplements and medicinal plants. These were Musa paradisiaca, Caripa pabaya, Xanthosoma sagittifolium, Manihot utilisima and Mangifera indica, Moringa oleifera, Citrus sinensis, Capsicum frutescens, Taraxacum officinale, Solanum aethiopicum, Cocos nucifera, Solanum torvum, Persea americana, Dioscorea alata and Elaeis guineensis.ConclusionPlants used as staples, food supplements and medicinal purposes emerged as the most culturally relevant scoring high on all ethnobotanical indices. Home gardens present an opportunity to address food security and nutrition needs of households and communities.

Effect of processing methods on the nutritional quality of Solanum aethiopicum and Colocasia esculenta leafy vegetables commonly consumed in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Background: Green leafy vegetables provide many health and nutritional benefits to mankind. Processing to prolong the shelf-life of vegetables goes through several stages, though it might affect the nutrient composition.&#x0D; Objective: This study evaluated the effect of the processing method on the nutrient, anti-nutrient, and phytochemical composition of commonly consumed green leafy vegetables in Ebonyi state, Nigeria.&#x0D; Methodology: The study adopted an experimental design. Three hundred grams (300 g) of each of the leafy vegetables (Solanum aethiopicum and Colocasia esculenta) were cleaned, washed, and divided into three equal portions (100 g, each). One portion each was retained raw (served as a control); the others were processed by steaming and shade-drying methods and were later analyzed in the laboratory for nutritional, anti-nutrient, and phytochemical content using standard methods. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the data obtained. P &lt; 0.05 was considered significant.&#x0D; Result: The steamed samples had higher moisture content than a shade-dried sample. Similarly, steamed Colocasia esculenta had the highest vitamin C among the processed leaf samples. Also, steamed Solanum aethiopicum had the highest value of vitamin E when compared to other processed samples. Shade-dried samples of Solanum aethiopicum had higher values of mineral content than its steamed counterpart while steamed Colocasia esculenta had higher potassium/magnesium content and lesser sodium/phosphorus than shade-dried Colocasia esculenta leaf. Steamed leaf samples had higher carotenoids and flavonoids with lesser alkaloid levels than shade-dried samples. Steamed Colocasia esculenta leaf had higher saponin and oxalate content than shade-dried Colocasia esculenta leaf, while shade-dried Solanum aethiopicum leaf had higher oxalate, phytate, and saponin level than the steamed Solanum aethiopicum.&#x0D; Conclusion: The study showed that leafy vegetables contain appreciable levels of nutrients and the different processing methods either increased or reduced the nutrient present in the leaves.

Garden Egg (Solanum aethiopicum) as a Mystical plant in Akabo, South Eastern Nigeria: Health and Economic Implications

Garden egg, popularly known as eggplant, is one of the strange and enigmatic vegetable plants that can energize and heal the body as well as the spirit. It is a manifestation of the wonders of God’s creation and magnanimity. As recorded in the holy books, God made man and woman and told them to eat vegetables to keep their bodies and spirits healthy and together. Garden egg is one fruit that is highly acceptable and valued when offered to visitors. In Akabo, South eastern Nigeria, there is a practice called "Ofe", which translates to "garden eggplant mystics". It is a significant mystical practice that helps to maintain harmony among people and between bodies and spirits. In this study, the mystical, medicinal and economic implications of garden egg as applied in Akabo community are presented. Interview data and library databases were used to analyze the sources of information by theme. The origin, classes, and chemical composition of garden eggs as it affects its medicinal efficacy have been highlighted. Insights to the cultural significance of garden egg in Africa are also documented. The overall benefits of the various parts of the eggplant, viz: fruits, leaves, stems and roots and their economic importance to the global society have been presented. This study will serve as a useful piece to the global community to unravel the untapped potentials of garden egg.

Solanum aethiopicum L. from the Basilicata region as a source of specialized metabolites with promising anti-obesity effects: phytochemical characterization and in vivo investigation in high fat diet-fed mice

Solanum aethiopicum L. from the Basilicata region as a source of specialized metabolites with promising anti-obesity effects: phytochemical characterization and in vivo investigation in high fat diet-fed mice

Survey Study Of Spontaneous Wild Leafy Vegetables Consumed By The Indigenous Batwa People Living In The Equatorial Forest Near The City Of Mbandaka/DR Congo

This work focuses on the importance of leafy vegetables consumed in 3 localities BOLENGE, BANTOY and BOYEKA 1 and BOYEKA 2 located in the equatorial forest near the city of Mbandaka (DR Congo). The objective of this study is to identify the main spontaneous leafy vegetables gathered by the indigenous Batua people and to carry out a food and nutritional characterization. On the one hand, an ethnonutritional survey on eating habits was conducted among this indigenous Batua population, consumers of spontaneous leafy vegetables. The leafy greens that were investigated are: Ipomea batatas (L) Lam , Solanum aethiopicum L., Talinum triangulare ( jacq ) Wild, Amaranthus viridis L.; Hibiscus Sabdariffa , Manihot esculenta L. Grantz , Colocasia esculanta (L) Schot , Cecropia concolor miq , Lasimonda senegalensis schott , Erythroccoca atrovinens (Pax) Prain , Celosia trigyra L. On the one hand, a survey was conducted among 200 households with reference to some ethnonutritional data on the use and consumption of these leafy vegetables. The results reveal that these leafy vegetables are consumed in descending order by adults whose average age is over 40 years old (50.5%), followed by people whose age is between 30 and 40 years old (32%) and young people whose age is less than or equal to 30 years (17.5%). From the education point of view of the respondents, the most represented class is made up of people with no schooling (50%), followed successively by those with secondary schooling (25%), primary (23.5%) and higher (1 .5%). The socio-demographic analysis reveals that females are the majority consumers of these spontaneous vegetables (52.5%) against (47.5%) males in the 3 villages. The marital status of respondents reveals that married people are the most represented (60.5%). Slightly more than a third of people surveyed (34%) work as a lumberjack. The average percentage of consumption of leafy vegetables of these three villages ( Bolenge , Bantoy , Boyeka ) reveals that the population of Bolenge consumes more leafy vegetables (15.32%) compared to Bantoy (11.9%) and Boyeka (5.36%). Endogenous knowledge of the virtues of three most consumed leafy vegetables ( Ipomea batatas (L) Lam , Solanum aethiopicum L., Talinum triangulare ( jacq ) Wild) in the three villages, reveals that the population of Boyeka presents a higher knowledge (39.3%) than Bantoy (24.66%) and Bolenge (14%). It is observed that knowledge of the nutritional value of leafy vegetables does not correspond to the consuming population of the village, except in the Bolenge village.Mots clés : chenilles, éléments minéraux, micronutriments, insectes comestibles, oligoéléments

Selection of candidate varieties of garden egg (Solanum aethiopicum) in an on-station trial using multi-disciplinary approach

The on-station trial was conducted at the National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan during the rainy season of the year 2021. Seven improved varieties selected from crosses generated through half-diallel mating design and two local checks were used in this study. The study aimed to select the best candidate varieties for multi-locational trials. The trial was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Data were collected on agronomic and yield characters. The nine varieties of garden egg were screened for tolerance to Anthracnose and Tuta absoluta. Fatty acid Methyl Esters were also analyzed and sensory evaluation was done using a twelve-member trained panel of judges. The results showed that there were significant variations among all the agronomic and yield-related characters except for plant height, stem girth and days to flowering. L03 was the best in yield and related characters, followed by L06 and L01. All the seven improved garden egg varieties were tolerant to Athracnose while the highest disease incidence was recorded in YALO. The mining activities of Tuta absoluta were more pronounced in L03 while the least was observed in L07. The improved variety L03 had the highest Saturated Fatty Acids (SFAs) and very low Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs). YALO had the best low SFAs and appreciable levels of PUFAs. This was followed by L06 and L08 with moderate SFAs and high PUFAs. L02 was the best in overall acceptability during sensory evaluation but had very high SFAs. L06 was second best in overall acceptability while L01 was third. However, L03 was the least accepted. Based on the overall assessment, L06, L08 and L01 were selected for multi-locational trials and future release.

Effects of ethanolic fruit extract of solanum aethiopicum (L.) on saccharin induced hyperlipidemia and sperm abnormalities in male wistar rats

Effects of ethanolic fruit extract of solanum aethiopicum (L.) on saccharin induced hyperlipidemia and sperm abnormalities in male wistar rats

Solanum aethiopicum Leaves Extract Attenuates Brain Dysfunction in Chronic Mild Stress Depressed Rats

Depression is a mental health condition arising from neurochemical alterations that can result from chronic stress. Its management is complex, requiring targeted pathways for intervention, however, the role of antioxidants is essential. Solanum aethiopicum (SA) is one of such antioxidant sources that may abate stress. This study, therefore, investigated the effect of SA leaves ethanol extract on the hippocampus and cerebellum in rats following chronic mild stress (CMS). Twenty-five male adult Wistar rats weighing 180-250g were assigned into five groups (n=5): Control (10mL/kg distilled water); CMS group (CMS-only for 28 days), CMS-SA200 and CMS-SA400 [CMS and SA leaf extract (at 200 and 400mg/kg respectively, from day 15-28)] and 400 mg/kg SA group for 14 days. All the treatments were oral, and the rats were tested for sucrose preference, learning and anxiety, and subsequently sacrificed. Serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were analysed, and the hippocampus and cerebellum were processed for haematoxylin and eosin staining. Results showed significantly (p&lt;0.05) decreased sucrose preference, spontaneous alternation, open arm entry/duration and SOD, as well as increased (p&lt;0.05) MDA and slightly enlarged hippocampal pyramidal and cerebellar Purkinje cells nuclei in the CMS-only group. Treatment with SA in the CMS-SA200, CMS-SA400 and SA400 groups significantly (p&lt;0.05) reversed the anhedonia, spontaneous alternation and anxiety-like activities, while there was no significant (p&lt;0.05) change to SOD and MDA levels compared with the CMS-only group. However, the enlarged hippocampal and cerebellar cells nuclei persisted, which may be physiological. In conclusion, SA reversed chronic mild-stressed-impaired cognition, anhedonia, and anxiety-like effects, whose action was better at the higher dose

Pioneering anther culture-based embryogenesis in Solanum aethiopicum L.

This study aimed to establish a compelling approach for inducing embryogenesis through in vitro anther culture in Scarlet eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.), the most consumed and popular eggplant among indigenous vegetables on the African continent. While in vitro androgenesis has been favorably employed in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) breeding, there has been no attempt to induce embryogenesis in a large germplasm of its relative, Solanum aethiopicum. In two distinct experiments, the largest germplasm collection of Solanum aethiopicum gr. Gilo was assessed for embryogenesis induction using C medium supplemented with different concentrations of hormones. In the first experiment, callus induction was successful with an overall rate of 36.6 calli/100 anthers, but embryo formation was unsuccessful. Statistical analysis revealed a dependency of the rate of callus induction on accessions. In the second experiment, only four selected accessions of Solanum aethiopicum gr. Gilo were used and compared to two Turkish eggplant genotypes of Solanum melongena in two distinct treatments. The results showed that in the first treatment (I), only the accession GKE12 had a satisfactory outcome with a rate of embryo formation of 0.82/100 anthers and 0.41/100 anthers corresponding to the rate of developed embryos. In the second treatment (II), only controls, which were Adana and Kemer cultivars of Solanum melongena formed embryos with a rate of 7.26/100 anthers and 1.15/100 anthers, respectively. The obtained embryo/seedling of Solanum aethiopicum gr. Gilo was found to be diploid. Overall, this study demonstrated that with the right combinations of hormones, it is possible to induce embryogenesis and produce a diploid of Solanum aethiopicum, the world’s second most popular cultivated eggplant after brinjal. These findings could potentially contribute to the breeding of eggplants for enhanced genetic variation and resistance.