Local Perception and Proximate Analysis of some Edible Forest Plants Around University of Agriculture Wildlife Park, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Local perception and proximate analysis of some edible forest plants around the University of Agriculture Makurdi Wildlife Park were investigated. The selected plants were Anona senegalensis, Cissus populnea, Tacca leontopetaloides and Vitex doniana. The Focus Group Discussion (FGD) technique was employed to obtain information from local residents in four bordering communities around the park. Results obtained from FGDs showed that the villagers used these wild plants mainly for food and medicine. Proximate analysis of the selected plants showed varying composition of micronutrients. moisture content was highest in Vitex doniana (45.2 ± 0.1) and lowest in Tacca leontopetaloides (7.9 ± 3.4). Annona senegalensis had the highest protein and fat content (8.78 ± 0.02 and 24.17 ± 0.33) which were both considerably low in Tacca leontopetaloides (0.3 ± 0 and 0.1 ± 0) and Cissus populnea (0.3 ± 0 and 0.13 ± 0.07), fibre and ash content were highest in Cissus populnea (29.37 ± 0.41 and 12.97 ± 0.34) and least in Tacca leontopetaloides (3.07 ± 0 and 1.08± 0) and Tacca leontopetaloides had higher carbohydrate value (84.22± 0.03). The results showed that the selected edible wild plants were rich in essential nutrients and could serve as good sources of dietary supplements for growth and body maintenance. Further research is recommended especially in the propagation and domestication of the species to ensure sustained availability of the plants.

Keywords: Local Perception, Proximate Analysis, Edible Forest Plants, Focused Group Discussions.