Quantitative Determination of Biochemical Constituents of the Wild Food Plant Talinum triangulare (Jacqu) Wild (Big Purslane)

Abstract

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the major biodiversity hotspot in the world. Wild edible plants (WEPs) are widely consumed as part of daily diet by the local people and are part of their traditional culture and food habit. The T. triangulare species is a non-conventional vegetable crop of the Talinaceae family. It is well adapted to the hot and humid climate and the poor quality soil, which makes its cultivation an important economic activity for small growers. However, mere enumeration of such plants is not enough. A thorough assessment of their nutritive values is of paramount importance to find out how to make best use of them. The present work deals with the biochemichal analysis of the nutritive values of non-conventional food plant T. triangulare with pink and white flowers. Freshly collected seeds, barks, roots leaves samples were first washed with tap water and then distilled water and dried in air, away from the sun till constant weight was recorded. From this moisture percentage was computed and chemical analysis was on dry weight basis. It appears from this study that the leaves of T. triangulare have a moisture content of 93%, which is slightly higher than the values given successively (90.8%) for T. triangulare (Jacq.). The mineral matter or ash content of leaves is 18.7%. The total protein found by us in the leaves presents a rate (2.4%). The protein rate on dry matter in the leaves is higher (2.27%) than that found in the roots 1.13%, stems 1.75% and seeds 1.44%. This rate varies considerably depending on the season. The fat content found in the leaves is 0.326%, it is lower than that found in the roots 0.366% and that found in the stems 0.38%, the fat content found in the seeds is lower compared to the others. The carbohydrate content analysed in the leaves is 0.07%, lower than that found in roots (2.614%), stems (3.58%) and seeds (3.16%). The present study revealed that T. triangulare is excellent sources of protein and minerals with moderate level of crude fibre and excellent sources of crude fibre with good amount of minerals. There is a general misconception that non-conventional leafy vegetables as well as other edible plants are nutritionally poor and hence unimportant.