AUTHOR=Kissanga Raquel , Sales Joana , Moldão Margarida , Alves Vitor , Mendes Herose , Romeiras Maria Manuel , Lages Fernanda , Catarino Luís 

TITLE=Nutritional and Functional Properties of Wild Leafy Vegetables for Improving Food Security in Southern Angola

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems

VOLUME=Volume 5 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2021.791705

DOI=10.3389/fsufs.2021.791705

ISSN=2571-581X

ABSTRACT=In Southern Angola, numerous non-woody forest products are sold on local markets, namely in Lubango, Huíla Province, such as herbaceous wild plants, locally known as lombi, that are sold fresh throughout the year and cooked as a vegetable. Although these wild leafy vegetables are commercialized and widely used in local food, there is still a lack of scientific knowledge about their properties. Thus, this study aims to identify and characterize the species sold in the Lubango markets, and reveal their nutritional and functional properties. Our results revealed that three species, Amaranthus hybridus, Bidens pilosa, and Galinsoga parviflora are usually sold at markets and consumed by local populations. These are annual exotic plants, native from Southern America, and usually occur spontaneously in cropland or disturbed areas, but can also be cultivated, notably A. hybridus. Moreover, samples of lombi species and mixtures sold in the markets were acquired and further physical-chemical analyses were performed, revealing their moisture, protein, lipid, and mineral content, as well as total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and levels of heavy metal contaminants. The analysis of the nutritional properties revealed that analyzed lombi contain a significant amount of protein (20–28 g/100 g, dry basis), high values of macronutrients and micronutrients, as well as of phenolic compounds (10–40mg GAE/g) and a good antioxidant capacity. Given the availability of lombi throughout the year, our study demonstrated the importance of wild edible plants in Angola, both as a valuable natural resource and as a complimentary food source, contributing as an additional source of income for many families.