ANTI-NUTRITIONAL CONSTITUENT OF COLOCASIA ESCULENTA ...

Taro is produced in the Pacific Islands and parts of Asia as a main staple food crop. In
New Zealand, it is developed as a secondary food crop. These plants contain digestIble
starch, protein of good quality, vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and a high oxalate
content (Onayemi and Nwigwe, 1987; Sefa-Dedeh and Agyir-Sackey, 2004; Perez et al.,
2007; Catherwood et aI., 2007; Huang et aI., 2007; Oscarsson and Savage, 2007).
Colocasia esculenta has been broadly investigated for proximate composition and anti­
nutrient screening, but the data were not comparable because of variations in genotypes,
locations and experimental analysis. Plants are generally sensitive to environmental stress
such as light intensity, rainfall, length of growing season, temperature and length of day,
as well as agronomic factors such as soil fertility, weeds and plant density (McLean et
al., 1974; Robertson et al., 1962; Singh et al., 1972). Information is scanty or non­
existent in literature on the presence ofnutrients and anti-nutrients in Amadumbe. There
are also no published studies on the effect of domestic cooking on the levels of anti­
nutrients in Amadumbe tubers ofZululand, South Africa.
Figure AI-3 Amadumbe chips with mango atchar (www.woolworths.co.za)
Traditional crops are developed in rural areas because they have a high nutritional value,
they are resistant to drought and cultivation is easy as long as standard agricultural
practices are followed. By utiling indigenous knowledge about Amadumbe, not only has
the community gained economic benefits directly, but indigenous African fare has also
9