ASSESSMENT OF THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF FADOGIA TRIPHYLLA HERBAL TEA OF ZAMBIA

Fadogia triphylla, a perennial shrub that can reach up to 120 cm is used both as a local herbal tea and in traditional medicine. Traditional healers have reported the use of Fadogia spp. in the treatment of coughs, ascariasis, abdominal pains and stomachs. There is limited information about the nutritional and medicinal value of the leaves of this local tea. Thus, the objective in this study was to asses the nutritional value and herbal tea characteristics of F. triphylla leaves from Zambia. Fadogia triphylla leaves were collected from Shatumbu district, Lusaka at two different times (June 2006 and August 2006). The dry Fadogia leaves were then subjected to foreign matter analysis and moisture content analysis. Total ashes and total insoluble ashes, total phenols, antioxidant activity, and elemental and caffeine. The leaves are high in antioxidant components (8%) and rich in minerals (7%), potassium (1%), calcium (1.3-1.8%) and manganese (90-71 mg/100 g). No caffeine was detected in the leaves based upon HPLC analysis and pure caffeine as the standard, permitting the labelling of this bush tea to be caffeine-free infusion. Initial quality standards were developed for the first time to define quality in Fadogia tea. While a preliminary study, we found the leaves to be high in antioxidant components, rich in minerals (e.g. potassium, calcium and manganese), caffeine-free and the herbal tea to have a pleasant taste. Fadogia leaves contain interesting functional properties that show the leaves to be healthy and nutritional and which may assist in the commercialization of this indigenous tea into non-local markets

QUALITY AND CHEMISTRY OF AFRICAN BIRDS EYE CHILI (CAPSICUM FRUTESCENS) FROM ZAMBIA

African Birds Eye Chili (Capsicum frutescens) is a specialty hot pepper of increasing interest to consumers and to those who enjoy and rely on hot peppers. Assessing of the chemistry and quality of this spice is becoming increasingly important to increase its market access and better define the product variation from different producing regions. The objective of this study is to assess the chemistry and quality of African Birds Eye Chili grown in Zambia. Fruit samples from this plant were grown and harvested (2006-2007 seasons) from the Chinyanja Triangle area and from the 2008 season from Chongwe, Kalomo and Mpongwe and subjected to proximate and chemical analysis. The deep orange color of the Zambian African Birds Eye Chili was found to be very positive. All the samples showed low levels of moisture (1%, and 1%, respectively; and dihydrocapsaicin reaching 0.5-0.7% and 0.5%, respectively from these sites. Samples from the Chinyanja Triangle, 2006-07 were found to be lower (0.6-0.8% capsaicin, 0.3-0.5% dihydrocapsaicin) but direct comparisons are not possible as those studies were conducted in an earlier growing season. In 2008 season, the application of Good Agricultural Practices, higher quality seeds and improved production practices (improved weeding and drying) which appeared to result in the production of high quality Chili. A study to compare Zambian African Birds Eye Chili to other hot pepper commercial samples found on the USA market found that the Zambian product contained far higher levels of capsaicin and were of superior quality to the commercial hot pepper products

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICAN NATURAL PLANT PRODUCTS

The development of sustainable agricultural businesses in high-value niche sectors can stimulate agricultural growth that could improve the livelihoods of rural Africa and have a multiplier effect on the rest of the economy. The natural plant product (NP) industry is one that can offer higher income and niche markets for resource limited farmers in developing countries compared to traditional agronomic crops. However, the NP industry is beset with challenges hindering the realization of its full contribution to economic development and poverty reduction. Among these challenges are: (1) limited appropriate germplasm; (2) lack of quality control and quality assurance systems for production and processing; (3) Lack of knowledge and understanding of international markets and markets channels; (4) Limited processing infrastructure which constrains value-added opportunities; (5) variable market prices, and (6) weak enterprises with low technical and managerial skills to meet the requirements of buyers. In 1999, we began to develop models for the sustainable commercialization of NP in sub-Sahara Africa using a market-first and scientific-driven approach. This program implemented under ASNAPP (www.asnapp.org) is conducted in partnership with the public and private sector to facilitate diversification of agricultural commodities and marketing channels. Sustainable development incorporates good environmental stewardship from the bush to final product, GAP and robust quality assurance and quality control systems for collection or cultivation to ensure high quality and food safety. This evolving model consists of a multi step value-addition process through the commodity chain to provide safe and high quality NPs and economic opportunities to those rural communities