Domestication and conservation research often relies on single-species frameworks, which can obscure how Indigenous management practices applied to multiple related taxa may interact to shape shared gene pools. Studies of crops such as manioc/cassava (Manihot esculenta), yam (Dioscorea spp.), sorghum (Sorghum spp.), and Amazonian treegourd (Crescentia spp.) demonstrate that domestication frequently involves interactions among multiple cultivated and wild or semi-managed relatives. However, little is known about how these dynamics operate within the genus Xanthosoma, particularly in the Ecuadorian upper Amazon, a key center of diversity and domestication history for the genus. This gap limits understanding of how Indigenous management practices may influence the maintenance, erosion, or redirection of genetic diversity, with implications for crop improvement, resilience under changing environmental conditions, and the identification of underutilized plant resources. We combined ethnobotanical fieldwork in the Runa community of Mondayacu-including structured and unstructured interviews, participant observation, and genus-focused walks-with a national-level syntheses of herbarium records and ethnobotanical literature to contextualize Xanthosoma diversity and use across Ecuador. Interview responses were topically coded and summarized as aggregated frequencies, with patterns visualized using bar graphs. Descriptive statistics summarized reported management, while qualitative quotations and participant observation grounded interpretation. Participants reported no current cultivation of Xanthosoma sagittifolium, despite its historical importance in Mondayacu and broader global use. In contrast, participants described a spectrum of management practices for lalu (Xanthosoma purpureomaculatum), ranging from eradication to selective retention for medicinal, zootechnical, and ritual uses. Lalu was the most commonly observed Xanthosoma species during fieldwork and was perceived as highly persistent, rapidly regrowing and spreading across forests and semi-managed areas. Decisions to remove or retain plants were trait- and context-dependent, with individuals exhibiting desirable characteristics (e.g., large, deep green leaves, minimal pest damage) preferentially spared or relocated near houses or gardens. National-level herbarium and ethnobotanical synthesis documented broader Xanthosoma species diversity, multifunctional uses, and possible selection pressures across Ecuadorian Amazonian Indigenous groups. Building on evidence from other crop systems, our findings suggest that domestication dynamics in Xanthosoma are not fully captured by a single-species framework. In a key center of Xanthosoma diversity and domestication history, differential management of multiple related species may contribute to shaping patterns of persistence and diversity within the genus. While this study does not directly measure genetic change, it identifies ethnobotanical processes that may influence the distribution and maintenance of diversity across related taxa, including those in secondary and less-studied gene pools. Approaches that account for genus-level diversity and Indigenous management practices may therefore improve understanding of domestication processes and support conservation of genetic diversity, crop improvement, and the identification of underutilized plant resources. These findings also contribute to decolonizing domestication research by highlighting how Indigenous knowledge systems and management practices shape the structure and future of crop diversity.

Genetic improvement of cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) through mutagenesis

Ethnopharmacological relevance of Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott: experimental validation of its wound healing potential.

Mining activities can lead to heavy metal contamination in soils and crops, posing ecological and human health risks. This study assessed heavy metal and nutrient contamination, soil pollution status, bioaccumulation, and associated health risks in cocoyam leaves (Xanthosoma sagittifolium Schott) from three mining-affected communities (Kenyasi No. 1, Kenyasi No. 2, and Ntotroso) and a non-mining site (Wamahinso) in the Ahafo Region, Ghana. Soil and cocoyam leaf samples were analyzed for As, Cd, Pb, and Hg and selected nutrients (Ca, Mg, K, Na, and P) using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, flame photometry, and titration. Soil metal concentrations at mining sites reached up to 89.6mgkg⁻1 for As and 19.3mgkg⁻1 for Cd, while cocoyam leaf concentrations ranged from 0.03-0.69mgkg⁻1 for As and 0.01-0.15mgkg⁻1 for Cd. A comparative cross-sectional design was used, and a total of 60 soil samples and 60 cocoyam leaf samples (n = 120) were collected across four sites. BAF values were < 1 for all metals, indicating limited transfer of heavy metals from soil to cocoyam leaves. PERI analysis indicated cadmium (Cd) as the dominant contributor to ecological risk (approximately 61-92% of total risk), with mercury (Hg) contributing moderately, while arsenic (As) contributed less than 5%. Human health risk assessment indicated substantial non-carcinogenic risk (THQ and HI > 1) and elevated carcinogenic risk (CR > 1 × 10⁻4) at mining sites, particularly for children. The non-mining site showed comparatively lower risks, although some indices marginally exceeded recommended thresholds. Overall, despite limited bioaccumulation, elevated soil contamination in mining areas poses significant ecological and human health risks, underscoring the need for continuous monitoring and risk management in mining-impacted agricultural landscapes.

Xanthosoma sagittifolium (taioba) is an unconventional food plant of nutritional and socioenvironmental relevance.This study evaluated its elemental composition in five municipalities of Amazonas (Manaus, Itacoatiara, Novo Airo, Humait, and Tabatinga) to analyze its nutritional potential and use as an environmental bioindicator in the context of Amazonian edaphic variability.Rhizospheric soil and leaf samples were analyzed by total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF).The results showed geochemical heterogeneity between the localities: soils of Tabatinga and Humait presented high concentrations of aluminum and iron, while the leaves revealed higher levels of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and sulfur, especially in floodplain environments and seasonally flooded soils.The analysis of main components (PCA) showed clear separation between municipalities, confirming the edaphic influence on the mineral composition of the species.Positive correlations between nutrients (P, S, Si, K) and trace elements (Cr, Yb) indicated physiological adaptive mechanisms of absorption.The findings reinforce the dual role of taioba as both a food resource with high nutritional value and as a bio-indicator sensitive to environmental quality.However, the presence of traces of potentially toxic Pol.J. Environ.Stud.Vol.XX, No. X (XXXX),[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] elements highlights the need for continuous monitoring to ensure the safety of human consumption and to broaden understanding of taioba in Amazonian ecosystems.

Abstract Rice remains the main staple food in Indonesia, but high dependency on rice threatens food security, particularly in coastal communities vulnerable to climate change and limited agricultural land. Diversifying staple foods through analog rice development offers a sustainable solution by utilizing underused local resources. This study aimed to optimize the formulation of analog rice made from kimpul tuber ( Xanthosoma sagittifolium ) and Anjasmoro soybean ( Glycine max ) using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with Central Composite Design (CCD). Two main responses, energy value and protein content, were analyzed to determine the optimal formulation. The best composition was found at 65% kimpul flour and 35% soybean flour, producing an energy value of 372 kcal/100 g and protein content of 12.6%, comparable to conventional rice. This result indicates that integrating local tuber and legume crops can provide nutritious and sustainable food alternatives for coastal regions, reducing dependence on conventional rice. The findings contribute to national food diversification strategies and support Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 by promoting the sustainable use of natural resources in coastal ecosystems.

Abstract. Wulandari AA, Revalitha AA, Azzam AK, Allobua BSN, Rifki AN, Setyawan AD. 2025. Stomatal size and density variation in riparian Araceae along gradient of the Samin River, Central Java, Indonesia. Cell Biol Dev 9: 78-90. The riparian zone is a transitional area between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, playing a crucial ecological role as a buffer for water quality and as a habitat for biodiversity. The Samin River, located in Central Java, Indonesia, experiences varying abiotic conditions from its upstream to downstream regions, which can influence the biodiversity along its flow. This study aims to assess the diversity of species and the morpho-anatomical characteristics of stomata in plants belonging to the Araceae family across different sections of the Samin River, including the upstream, middle, and downstream areas. Leaf samples were collected through purposive sampling and were analyzed using the replica method to examine stomatal characteristics, such as location, type, shape of guard cells, number of adjacent cells, and stomatal index. A total of 6 species of Araceae were recorded, with species composition changing along the river continuum; only Xanthosoma sagittifolium occurred across all reaches and thus enabled within-species comparisons. Stomatal traits in X. sagittifolium showed a coordinated shift along the gradient, characterized by smaller stomata accompanied by higher stomatal number and density toward downstream sites. These patterns are consistent with epidermal plasticity and a stomatal size-density trade-off under contrasting environmental conditions across riparian reaches. Overall, the results highlight stomatal traits as sensitive cellular indicators for detecting environmental variation in riparian systems.

Indigenous Fruits and Vegetables (IFVs) are gaining renewed interest due to their nutritional richness, ecological resilience, and deep cultural value. Yet, they remain underutilized in formal food systems and product development. This integrative review synthesizes current literature and practical case studies to explore how consumer-led product development (CLPD) and sensory science tools can revitalize IFVs for modern markets. It presents an array of empirical approaches, including descriptive profiling, sensory lexicon development, consumer surveys, focus group discussions, conjoint analysis, and acceptance testing, demonstrating their application through selected case studies of Chrysophyllum albidum (commonly known as African star apple and locally referred to as Alasa), Xanthosoma sagittifolium (kontomire), Averrhoa carambola (star fruit) and mushrooms. The selected examples show how active consumer input enhances scientific rigor and ensures that the resulting food innovations are both nutritionally beneficial and culturally sensitive. The review discusses advantages, challenges, and key factors for successful CLPD implementation, such as management buy-in, robust methodologies, iterative development, and clear project objectives. By aligning product innovation with consumer preferences and engaging stakeholders throughout development, CLPD emerges as a powerful, evidence-based strategy to place IFVs within modern food systems. The paper concludes with recommendations on expanding CLPD for IFV-based food innovation, emphasizing participatory approaches to reflect the heritage and evolving needs of today’s global consumer.

The growing demand for sustainable and nutritious plant-based foods has driven the development of innovative alternatives to traditional meat products. This work describes the characterization of soy-based vegan burgers enriched with unconventional food plants (UFP) from Pereskia aculeata (PA), Xanthosoma sagittifolium (XS), Stachys byzantina (SB) and three Musa acuminata varieties (MAD, MAP and MAC). UFP incorporation significantly influenced the nutritional composition, with protein contents ranging from 14.2g/100g dw (SB) to 18.5g/100g dw (MAD), and dietary fiber from 19g/100g dw (C, control) to 29g/100g dw (PA). Antioxidant activity also varied, with EC50 values in the DPPH assay between 99μg/mL (SB) and 165μg/mL (C), while FRAP values ranged from 117μM TE/g (SB) to 157μM TE/g (C). In the CAA assay, PA, XS and SB showed EC50 values of 156, 162 and 99μg/mL, respectively, compared with values >2000μg/mL for the control. The textural properties differed as well, with hardness values from 746N (C) to 1379N (XS) and cooking yield between 69% (PA) and 84% (MAP). Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed distinctive compositional and bioactive profiles among the formulations, underscoring the potential of these burgers as functional foods.

Characteristics of porous starch from cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) by enzymatic hydrolysis with thermostable α-amylase, glucoamylase, and their combination

ABSTRACT Tannia starch ( Xanthosoma sagittifolium ) is less characterized than other tropical tuber starches. This study analyzed the compositional, structural, thermal, and functional characteristics of crude and purified tannia starch to assess the impact of purification. Starches were examined using x‐ray diffraction (XRD), proximate and particle size distribution analysis, scanning electron (SEM) and polarized light microscopy (PLM), pasting profile analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Proximate analysis showed minor differences between crude (CS) and purified (PS) starch preparations, indicating that tannia starch is fairly pure even in its crude form. Distinct differences were observed in pasting properties; CS (22% amylose) exhibited lower peak viscosity and setback, reflecting limited swelling and weaker retrogradation, whereas PS (28.5% amylose) displayed higher peak viscosity (2573 cP), greater breakdown, and a higher setback (820 cP), indicative of stronger swelling but reduced shear resistance. Both starch preparations had a mean granule size of ∼3 µm and showed increased particle aggregation following extraction. XRD patterns revealed A‐type crystallinity, while PLM indicated the loss of birefringence upon heating. Both starches exhibited similar gelatinization temperature (∼83°C) as determined by DSC and pasting analysis. In conclusion, native‐crystalline CS and PS provide pastes of enhanced viscosity and gel strength for functional applications.

Effects of biochar and poultry manure on soil properties, growth, quality, and yield of cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium Schott) in degraded tropical sandy soil – RETRACTION

Cocoyams (Colocasia esculenta and Xanthosoma sagittifolium) is an underutilized local crop of the Araceae family, valued for its edible leaves and tubers. This study evaluated the biochemical variation among local leaf and tuber morphotypes cultivated in Côte d’Ivoire. Five leaf morphotypes (three C. esculenta (Taro), two X. sagittifolium (Tannia)) and three tuber morphotypes of X. sagittifolium were collected from an experimental field 116 km north of Abidjan. pH, macronutrients, minerals, phytonutrients, and antinutritional factors were determined using standard methods. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to assess variability among morphotypes. Results showed that X. sagittifolium leaves had higher concentrations of dry matter (18.7%), protein (6.6%), ash (1.7%), magnesium (5.6 mg/g DM), potassium (3.7 mg/g DM), flavonols (7.7 mg QE/g), total polyphenols (13 mg GAE/g), and tannins (24.4 mg TAE/g) compared to C. esculenta leaves, which contained higher sodium (0.4–0.9 mg/g DM) and oxalates (183–213 mg/100 g). Among tubers, beige-fleshed X. sagittifolium had the highest dry matter (44.2%), protein (6.5%), carbohydrates (34.2%), and energy (164.3 Kcal/100 g), whereas pink-fleshed tubers were richer in potassium (9.3 mg/g DM) and iron (0.35 mg/g DM), and white-fleshed tubers had the highest oxalate content (286 mg/100 g). PCA grouped leaf and tuber morphotypes based on their biochemical profiles. These findings demonstrate significant biochemical variability among local cocoyams morphotypes in Côte d’Ivoire, highlighting their potential nutritional value and contribution to food security.

The characterization of alternative starch sources is crucial for industrial applications. This study evaluated starches from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) and mangarito (Xanthosoma riedelianum), considering extraction yield, proximate composition, amylose content, morphology, hydration properties, viscoamylographic behavior, and crystalline and thermal characteristics. Mangarito starch showed a higher yield (11.6%) than turmeric starch (5.6%). Turmeric granules were heterogeneous (triangular, ellipsoidal, oval), while mangarito granules were predominantly rounded. Turmeric starch exhibited higher amylose content (55.1%) compared to mangarito starch (25.9%). Hydration and viscoamylographic analyses indicated that turmeric starch had higher solubility (2.36%) and water absorption (2.88 g/g), higher peak viscosity (3147.5 cP), lower breakdown (83.5 cP), and greater retrogradation tendency (9806 cP). In contrast, mangarito starch demonstrated enhanced thermal stability (breakdown 1824 cP; final viscosity 4763.5 cP). X-ray diffraction revealed a semicrystalline A/B-type pattern for turmeric starch and a predominantly A-type crystalline structure for mangarito starch. DSC indicated glass transition temperatures of 114.7 °C (turmeric) and 120.1 °C (mangarito), while TGA confirmed greater thermal stability for mangarito starch, with a narrower decomposition range and higher residual mass. These results suggest that turmeric starch, due to its high amylose content, is suitable for rapid gelatinization and firm gel formation, whereas mangarito starch is more appropriate for applications requiring superior thermal stability and structural integrity.

Plant species sensitive to desiccation or vegetatively propagation are difficult to store and transport in the germplasm for space travel. Applying plant tissue culture can help to create a Plant Germplasm Bank for this species. For this purpose, the Compact Growth Chamber (CGC) was created to store and transport in vitro explants, maintaining them for long periods in Slow-Grown Storage (SGS). Explants under SGS have reduced growth metabolism to complete space missions. This study aimed to evaluate the CGC efficacy in the long term of in vitro storage of explant of Taioba (Xanthosoma sagittifolium), a tropical species that vegetatively propagates and has high nutritional value. For this, three CGCs were connected, side by side, with different LED light spectra (CGC1: Red spectrum; CGC2: 50% Red + 50% Blue spectra-control; CGC3: Blue spectrum), each one containing nine test tubes with taioba explants (one per test tube), and LED lights intensity adjusted for 30 µmol m−2 s−1. The CGCs were maintained for 120 days in the darkroom, at 25 ± 2 °C temperature and 50–60% humidity, and, at the end, the growth and morphological parameters of taioba plantlets were evaluated. These results demonstrate that the explant storage in CGC3 showed lower root numbers and root lengths than in CGC1 and CGC2. In addition, the Blue spectrum in CGC3 reduced the root oxidation and browning, resulting in 100% live explants. This study provides that the CGC fulfilled its proposed function of transporting and storing the in vitro explants for space travel.

Tropical agricultural soils are exposed to diverse management practices that influence soil fertility, trace metal accumulation, and food safety. Understanding how soil fertility interacts with trace metal uptake across crop systems is vital for sustainable tropical agriculture. This study assessed soil fertility, trace metal bioaccumulation, and pollution load across four land use systems, cacao ( Theobroma cacao ), oil palm ( Elaeis guineensis ), cocoyam ( Xanthosoma sagittifolium ), and maize ( Zea mays ) cultivated on Ferralsols and Acrisols in Western Ghana. Soil chemical properties, including total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (P 2 O 5 ), pH, exchangeable potassium (K), and cation exchange capacity (CEC), were analyzed to compute the Soil Fertility Index (SFI). Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) for Al, Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn, Sr, and Ti were determined from plant and soil concentrations, while contamination factors (CFs) and the Pollution Load Index (PLI) evaluated overall soil contamination. SFI values ranged from 0.41 ± 0.13 in Ferralsols under maize to 0.78 ± 0.26 in Acrisols under cacao. Cacao grown on Ferralsols exhibited the highest uptake of Mn (1.98 × 10⁻⁴ ± 1.15 × 10⁻⁴), Cu (1.70 × 10⁻³ ± 1.21 × 10⁻³), and Sr (2.32 × 10⁻³ ± 1.53 × 10⁻³), while maize and oil palm showed minimal accumulation, likely due to selective ion uptake and exclusion mechanisms. PLI values were uniformly low (1.56 × 10⁻⁵–8.08 × 10⁻⁵), indicating uncontaminated soils. SFI correlated strongly with BCF-Ni (r = 0.93), whereas Cd, Cu, and Zn uptake depended more on soil pH and organic carbon than overall fertility. PCA distinguished crop–soil elemental patterns, with Cu, Ni, Mn, Cd, and Ti dominant in cacao/Acrisol systems and Sr and Zn in oil palm/Ferralsol systems. Although soil was largely uncontaminated, elevated metal uptake in some systems (e.g., cacao/ Ferralsol) indicates that high fertility does not necessarily equate to soil health. Trace metal accumulation is primarily governed by plant specific ion selectivity and exclusion behaviors, warranting further investigation to define threshold ion concentrations for sustainable soil–plant health management).

The increasing use of cassava for various products, combined with its overreliance on gari processing, has created a volatile supply chain that results in skyrocketing gari prices, making the staple food unaffordable. The partial replacement of cassava with Colocasia esculenta and Xanthosoma sagittifolium can foster food diversification and security. The two varieties of cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta, Xanthosoma sagittifolium) were mixed (1:1). The cassava and cocoyam blends were mixed at different substitution ratios (100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50, and 0:100, w/w), processed into a mash, fermented, dewatered, and roasted to produce gari samples. The gari samples were analysed for proximate, functional, antinutritional components, and sensory acceptability. The results had protein (1.02–4.61%), ash (0.75–2.57%), and fiber (2.02–2.20%) levels increasing as the proportion of cocoyam increased, whilecarbohydrate slightly decreased (82.33–88.25%). Physicochemical properties of the gari, such as water absorption (2.07–4.57 g/g), swelling capacity (5.69–8.00%), and bulk density (0.46–0.59 g/ml) increased across the various blends with an increase in cocoyam. Sensory analysis showed that the 80:20 cassava-to-cocoyam blend had the highest overall acceptability score. This revealed the potential of cocoyam as a valuable yet underutilized ingredient that can enhance the production of gari and promote the diverse use of roots and tubers for sustainable food security

Wheat flour is the primary ingredient in sweet bread production, yet its import-dependent supply in countries like Indonesia prompts the need for alternative local ingredients. Kimpul tuber (Xanthosoma sagittifolium), rich in carbohydrates, presents a promising substitute, though its native starch properties are less suitable for baking. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of substituting wheat flour with heat moisture treatment (HMT)-modified kimpul flour and the addition of glycerol monostearate (GMS) on the physicochemical and sensory properties of sweet bread. A factorial completely randomized design was applied using three wheat-to-kimpul flour ratios (3:1, 1:1, and 1:3) and three GMS concentrations (2%, 3%, and 4%). Results showed that higher kimpul flour substitution increased moisture and carbohydrate content but reduced protein and fat levels. Textural properties such as hardness and adhesiveness also increased with kimpul content, but these were mitigated by the addition of GMS, particularly at 3%. The optimal formulation 1:1 wheat-to-kimpul ratio with 3% GMS produced sweet bread with the best overall sensory acceptance. The findings suggest that HMT-modified kimpul flour combined with GMS can serve as a functional and acceptable alternative to wheat flour in bread production. This supports food diversification strategies and promotes the utilization of local tuber-based flours in bakery applications.

Phytotelmata provide favorable habitats for invertebrates, such as insects and mites. However, previous acarofauna studies on phytotelmata have primarily focused on tree holes, pitcher plants, and bromeliads, leaving other types, such as the leaf axils of aroids, underexplored. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the composition of the acarofauna in the leaf axils of two Araceae species, Xanthosoma daguense Engl. and Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott, as well as establish the aquatic and subaquatic aroid-mite network. For this, we collected mites from the phytotelmata of both species at two sites in the Colombian Central Mountain range. We found 16 morphospecies of mites belonging to the Gamasina, Uropodina, Sejida, Astigmatina, and other Oribatida groups associated with the phytotelmata of aroids. The most common genera identified were Histiostoma sp. and Hormosianoetus sp. (Histiostomatidae, Astigmatina). We reported for the first time the occurrence of Blattisocius dentriticus (Blattisociidae), Cheiroseius mesae (Blattisociidae), Galumna sp., Lucoppia sp., Malaconothrus sp., Oribotritia sp., and Uropodella sp. in phytotelmata, as well as B. dentriticus, Asca sp., Hormosianoetus sp., Lucoppia sp., Malaconothrus sp., and Phthicarus sp. in Colombia. The network exhibited high specialization and modularity; we identified three aroid-mite groups related to the Araceae species by sites. These results suggested that variations in the environmental conditions in the leaf axil and site scales affect the mite community. Thus, these results extend the understanding of phytotelma as habitats for mites, thereby contributing to the knowledge of their role in conserving these taxonomic groups.

The TRAIL (Transformed and Resilient Community through Alternative Indigenous Livelihoods) project, implemented in 2022 in Barangay Lonoy, Maasin City, aimed to strengthen the capacities of 45 members of the local Farmers’ Association through a series of targeted training sessions. Key activities included leadership development, gender and development, financial literacy, cooperative systems, and karlang (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) utilization for value-added production. Participants learned to process karlang into flour, chips, brownies, and meatballs, supported by training in costing, marketing, and packaging. Using participatory and gender-inclusive approaches, the project fostered high engagement and practical skill application. Overall, TRAIL contributed to increased livelihood awareness, improved organizational functions, and strong potential for sustaining inclusive, community-led economic initiatives in rural settings.