CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Over centuries and decades, our ancestors used herbal plant or herbal product in different forms as therapeutic which can be traced back for at least 5000 years¹. In few decades, development of modern or allopathic medicine has somehow reduced the role of medicinal plants in favour of synthetic drugs. Even now for the discovery of number of modern drug has been based on secondary metabolites of medicinal plants which is used by indigenous people. Green leafy vegetables are widely succulent plants parts grown in gardens and consumed as a side dish or soup with starchy staples among the tribes in Nigeria. The importance of dietary components of leafy vegetables is significant in African population since they are comparatively rich in fiber, which cereals; root vegetables and other foodstuff are relatively poor sources (Hussain, 2010). In Nigeria, just as in most other African countries where diet is dominated by starchy staple foods, vegetables are considered the cheap source of energy. They are very rich sources of nutrients such as carotene, protein, vitamins, calcium, iron, ascorbic acid and tangible concentration of trace minerals. Vast species of vegetables abound in the world and they are characterized with addition of flavor, taste and color to diet which would have otherwise been monotonous. Amongst the different plants of the species, C. argentea is an important tropical leafy vegetable crop of high nutritional value. An Indian origin, C. argentea, is a plant of tropical origin and known for its very brilliant colors and traditional uses.

The invaluable food nutrients contained in vegetables can be used for body building, protective and regulatory material as well as sources of energy for the body. The numerous minerals represented in vegetables provide alkalizing effects by neutralizing the acidity produced by other foods during the digestion process. Vegetables also contain plants secondary metabolites which act as antinutrients. These secondary metabolites include: tannins, phytate, oxalate and cyanide; all of which have different detriments to nutrition and health. A good leafy vegetable is the one that contains a great deal of these beneficial nutrients and a very minute amount of antinutrients. The concentrations of the nutrients and antinutrients vary from one leafy vegetable species to another, hence a need for comparative investigation of the level of these nutrients and antinutrients in leafy vegetables.

Vegetables have biologically active compounds, which make them a potential source of therapeutic agents. Interest has been evinced in the use of natural products, particularly in the developing countries, because several common chronic diseases have evidenced that most of these conditions are related to diet and lifestyle (Borokini & al. 2017). Plumed or silver, Cockscomb (Celosia argentea L.) and other related forms is a leafy vegetable widely cultivated in tropical Africa. Water Leaf (Talinum triangulare L.) is consumed as a leafy vegetable in vegetable soups in Nigeria. While commonly used leafy vegetables have been studied for their nutrients, less popular ones have not (Kola 2014).

Herbal medicine is the traditional medicine and has the root of modern pharmacology1. A large number of wild medicinal plants and herbs and cultivated plant are used in treatment or cure various diseases and disorders. According to (WHO, 2017) world health organization report about 90 % of the world population depends on the natural medicinal plants and products animals and various microorganism for their health minimum side effects. Use of some medicinal plants have been long term practice and increasing with the knowledge of Phytochemical constituent and pharmacology peoples have clear the understanding of chemical composition and their mechanism of medicinal plants4. Celosia argentea L. are the herbaceous plant belongs to its family – Amaranthacaceae in South -western Nigeria where it’s known as ‘sokoyὸkὸtὸ’ in Yoruba language meaning ‘make husbands fat and happy. Its generic name is derived from the Greek word kelos, meaning “burned,” refers to the flame-like flower heads. Celosia argentea are seventy different species we have selected one medicinal plant Celosia argentea.

It is well known that cockscomb is one of the most common ornamental plants in the world. The tightly clustered blooms are said to resemble a rooster’s comb, thus, the common name ‘‘Cockscomb’’. Flower colors show red, yellow, orange, gold and pink. Although morphological modification of cockscomb is very important to its commerce value, few relevant reports have been seen until now. The cockscomb transformation systems we have established facilitate the use of this species for studies on gene manipulation and expression and are useful in modifying physiological, medicinal and horticultural traits.

Silver Cockscomb, scientifically known as Celosia argentea, is a vibrant and striking plant that belongs to the Amaranthaceae family. It is renowned for its unique and visually captivating flower structures, which resemble the comb of a rooster, giving the plant its common name. Native to tropical and subtropical regions, Celosia argentea has become popular worldwide for its ornamental value and versatility in culinary applications.  Celosia argentea is a flowering plant that typically grows as an annual or short-lived perennial. The plant features a bushy, upright habit with bright, feathery flower heads that can range in color from red, pink, orange, yellow, and white. The most distinctive characteristic of the plant is its flower structure, which resembles a cockscomb or rooster’s comb, hence the common name. The leaf s of the plant are usually ovate to lanceolate, with a rich green color that contrasts beautifully with the colorful flowers. Silver cockscomb thrives in warm climates and is often grown in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. It prefers well-drained soil and full sunlight, making it suitable for garden beds, borders, and containers. The plant is known for its resilience and can adapt to various soil types, though it grows best in fertile, moist soil. It is commonly propagated from seeds and can be grown from spring to summer, depending on the local climate.

Statements of the problem

          Silver cockscomb (Celosia argentea) is widely recognized for its ornamental value and is increasingly used in culinary applications. Despite its popularity, there is a significant gap in understanding the comprehensive nutritional profile and potential health implications associated with its leaf s.

The proximate composition of silver cockscomb leaves, including moisture content, crude protein, crude fat, ash content, crude fiber, and carbohydrates, is crucial for evaluating their nutritional value. However, there is limited data available on these components for Celosia argentea. This absence of information restricts the ability to assess the leaf s’ suitability as a food source, especially in regions where dietary diversity is limited.