Importance Of Utazi Gongronema Latifolium And Nchuanwu Ocimum Gratissium

Importance Of Utazi Gongronema Latifolium And Nchuanwu Ocimum Gratissium

Abstract

The exploration work was concentrated on the possible vitamin composition of Utazi( Gongronema latifolium) and Nchuanwu( Ocimum gratissimum) splint juice. Then, it was only the vitamin A and C that were scientifically tested for. Where upon, it was discovered that Utazi had1.14 mglml of vitamin A and 3461mg1 100m1 of vitamin C, while Nchuanwu had2.14 mglm1 of vitamin A and30.76 mg1 100m1 of vitamin C. From the result gotten, it shows that Utazi and Nchanwu are good sources of vitamin A and C, with high artificial and medicinal prospects.

Chapter One

Preface

Utazi( Gongronema latifolium/ Bush buck), splint vegetable and belong to the group of shops known as spices. It’s of the family ofASCLEPIADACEA rubric Gongronema and species of Latifolium, and the conversational name is BUSH BUCK while the botanical name Gongronema Latifolium. Utazi is a rambler with woody concave glaborous stems below and characterized by greenish unheroic flowers( Okolo 1987).

Gongronema latifolium, generally called ‘ utazi ’ by the Igbo’s, the efik/ ibibo people in South- eastern Nigeria call the leave ‘ utasi ’ and the Yoruba people ‘ arokeke ’ or ‘ madumaro ’( Ugochukwu and Babady, 2002). In Ghana, the akan- asantes knows it as ‘ kurutu nsurogya ’. The serer in Senegal call it ‘ gasub ’ while the kissis, mende and temnes in seamount leone call it ‘ ndondo- polole, ‘ tawabembe ’ and ‘ ra- bilong ’ independently( Dalziel et at, 1961). They’re sharp bitter and sweet and extensively used as a lush vegetable and as a spice for sauce, mists and salad( Okolo 1987, Anaso and Onochie 1999). Utazi is used in small volume in preparing mists like Nsala haze, ugba sauce, and yam and also in garnishing dish like Abacha, Ncha, Isiewu, Nkwobi etc. The leaves are used to season locally brewed beer. In Sierra Leone the pliable stems are used as chew sticks. The dinghy contains important latex and has been tasted for exploitation( Morebise etal., 2002).

Reports by colorful authors showed that it essential canvases , saponins and pregnanes among others( Schneider et al; 1993, Morebise and Fafunso 1998, morebise et al; 202). The factory has been extensively used in folk drug for maintaining healthy blood glucose position( Okafor 1987, 1989). The factory leaves have been set up veritably efficient as ananti-diarrhea, andanti-tussive( Sofoware 1982, Iwu, 1993).

Nchuanwu( ocimum gratissimum/ clove Basil), lush vegetable and belong to the group of factory known as spices. It’s of family of Lamiaceac rubric Ocimum and Species. Gratissimum and the conversational name is clove basil while the botanical name Ocimum Gratissimum. Nchuanwu is extensively distributed in the tropics of Africa and Asia. It’s a imperishable factory that’s woody at the base. It has average height of 1- 3m high. The leaves are broad and hardly ovate, generally 5- 13 cm long and 3- 9 cm wide. It’s a scented shrub with lime-green fuzzy leaves( Wagner et al; 1999).

In Southern part of Nigeria, the factory is called “ effinrin- nia ” by the Yoruba, ” Nchuanwu ” in Igbo, while in the Southern part of Nigeria, the Hausa call it “ Daidoya ”.( Effraim et al; 2002).

nutritive significance of this factory centers on it’s utility as a seasoning because of its sweet flavor(C.N. Ezekwesili et at; 2004).

Nchuanwu in folk drug, ocimum gratissimum is considerably used throughout West Africa as a febrifuge,anti-malaria andanti-convulsant. The splint juice is used in the treatment of stomach pain and catarrh. oil painting from leaves have been set up to posses antiseptics,anti-bacterial andanti-fungal conditioning( Ezekwesile et al; 2004).

In the littoral area of Nigeria, the factory is used in the treatment of epilepsy( Osifo, 1992) high fever( Oliver 1980) and diarrhea( Oliver 1980 and Sofoware 1993). While in the champaign areas decoctions of the leaves are used to treat internal illness( Abdulrahman, 1992).

Nchuanwu is used by the Ibos of Southern Nigeria in the operation of the baby cord. It’s believed to keep the baby’s cord and crack face sterile. It’s used in the treatment of fungal infections, fever, cold and catarrh( Iwu, 1986).

They play relatively significant part in our diets of the population because they’re major sources of essential macro nutrients, micro nutrients and vitamins.

Due to their seasonal nature and high humidity content, there’s need thus to develop an applicable technology for their preservation so as to guarantee their vacuity all time round( Eze and Chibuzor 2008).