Assessment of Functional Food Plants Commonly Used by People Living in Libokemekm District South Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia
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Date
2017-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Functional food can be a natural food or it can contain one or more specific components which
have functional influence on the health and well-being of the consumer. It beneficially affects
target functions beyond its basic nutritional functions. The aim of this study is to assess the most
common functional food plants used in Libo-kemkem district, South Gondar Zone, Northwest
Ethiopia. The target population consists of inhabitants living in the Yifag kebele indifferent gotti
and the sample population derived from residents aged 40 years registered in the official
population census of the Yifag kebele.Data was collected using a structured questioner for
qualitative data and in depth interview and focus group discussion to collect quantitative data.
Various ethnobotanical techniques were used to collect and analyze the data: guided field walk
and observation, group discussion, preference raking use direct matrix combined with descriptive
statistical analysis. A total of 34 species belonging to 31genera and 18 families were recorded as
functional food plants. Triticum dicoccum Schübl. And Hordeum vulgare L. stood first in being
the most multipurpose functional food plants followed by Allium sativum L., and Nigella sativa
L. and Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench was the least. Seed was found to be the most frequently
utilized part (36.3 %). Traditional healers use seeds of the functional foods to prepare remedies
and also recommend them for their functional uses. The most frequently used functional food
plants and parts might be the result of long history of intimacy in cultivating as basic food
sources. Since there are different varieties of these functional food plants, seed collection and
preservation is highly recommended.
Keywords: Ethnobotany, Functional food plants Food and Medicine, Health, Libo-kemkem
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Ethnobotany, Functional food plants Food and Medicine, Health, Libo-kemkem