The use of wild plants for food in the rural communities of Uganda is widespread. This
is attributed to food scarcity, perceived nutritional value, medicinal and health benefits
and cultural preservation. However, the claims on the nutritional value of some wild
edible plant species have not been fully validated. In cognizance of this, the macroelement,
beta-carotene and ascorbic acid profile of five wild plants commonly used for
food in and around eight forest reserves of Teso-Karamoja region, Uganda, were
analysed. The plants prioritized for analysis were
Vigna kirkii
(Baker) J.B. Gillett,
Maerua angolensis
D.C.,
Leptadenia hastata
(Schumach. & Thonn.) Decne,
Senna obtusifolia
(L.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby and
Dioscorea
sp.). The macro-element, ascorbic
acid and beta-carotene composition of these plants was analyzed in triplicate. The
variance in parameter means was analysed using one-way Analysis of Variance in SPSS
ver. 16.0. The results showed that all the means of species were significantly different at
the p=0.05 level. The highest macro-nutrient means were 80.74±0.34 %/100 g moisture
content in
V. kirkii, 3.95±0.23 g/100 g ash content in
M. angolensis, 19.04±0.37 Kcal
gross energy in
M. angolensis, 27.93±0.85 g/100 g dietary fibre in
L. hastata, 3.40±0.13
g/100 g crude fat in
L. hastata, 65.43±2.91 g/100 g carbohydrate in
Dioscorea sp.,
36.37±0.42 g/100 g crude protein in
M. angolensis. The highest ascorbic acid mean was
14.71±3.56 mg/100 g in
M. angolensis while beta-carotene was 1082.1±0.08 μg/100 g in
S. obtusifolia. These results show that these wild edible plants have a significantly
variable nutritional value. Some of the macro elements can sufficiently meet the
Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) and Adequate Intakes (AI) for certain life stages
and groups if consumed in ideal quantities. This information is vital in enhancing food
and nutrition security awareness in the community and uplifting the social appeal and
acceptability of these plants. This can be enhanced by investigating the micro-nutrients
of public health significance, anti-nutrient factors, and toxic compounds in these plants.