Indigenous edible plants as sources of nutrients and health benefitting components (nutraceuticals)

Abstract

The project is being undertaken by the CSIR, in collaboration with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and Mintek (South Africa’s minerals research organisation). The main aim of the project is to focus on the role of indigenous edible plants in improving food security and the health of communities by providing nutrients as well as other health benefitting components (nutraceuticals). The project reported was conducted in two phases. The main objective of the preliminary phase of the project was to identify indigenous edible plants that could be potential sources of micronutrients as well as health benefitting nutraceuticals. The next phase was to undertake studies to determine whether a selected indigenous plant could be a potential source of antioxidants and other nutraceuticals, and thus be used to develop consumer products. Amaranthus cruentus (Arusha) was selected as the plant based on propagation methods developed by the ARC.