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Journal of Biological Sciences

Year: 2011 | Volume: 11 | Issue: 4 | Page No.: 331-335
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Authors

O.J. Mwenye

M.T. Labuschagne

L. Herselman

I.R.M. Benesi

Keywords

Research Article

Mineral Composition of Malawian Cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta and Xanthosoma sagittifolium) Genotypes

O.J. Mwenye, M.T. Labuschagne, L. Herselman and I.R.M. Benesi
The starchy corms and cormels of cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta L. Schott and Xanthosoma sagittifolium L. Schott) are used as subsistence staple in the tropics, as they provide a cheap source of carbohydrates. They are also good sources of the essential mineral nutrients. The aim of this study was to determine the mineral content of cocoyam accessions grown by farmers in Malawi. Fifteen accessions from the genebank of Malawi which originated from different regions in the country, were planted in a replicated trial and analysed for mineral content. The accessions were shown to be high in K, P and Mg. They were also rich in essential minerals Ca, Fe and Zn. There was a wide variation in mineral composition among accessions. The C. esculenta accessions had significantly higher mean values than X. sagittifolium for Fe, Zn, Mn, Ca and Mg, indicating that C. esculenta rather than X. sagittifolium accessions should be used to address mineral deficiencies. A number of the accessions’ K, P, Mg, Fe, Zn and Mn levels were well above the adult recommended dietary allowances and minimum requirements. This crop can be included in the diversification programme undertaken by the Malawi government to curb over reliance on predominantly cereal-based diets, especially in drought prone areas.
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