The purpose of this study was to carry out an ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological investigation on wild edible plants and their value to households in the Tach Gayint district of South Gondar Zone of northwestern Ethiopia. A total of 175 informants (56 women and 119 males) were interviewed for ethnobotanical data, and 25 of them were key informants. Data collection techniques included semistructured interviews, guided field walks, and focus group discussions. Quantitative analytical tools were employed for ethnobotanical methods including preference ranking and direct matrix ranking techniques to analyse the data. 36 species of wild edible plants have been identified in the study area. Of these plant species, shrubs account for 15 (42%), followed by herbs 13 (36%) and trees 8 (22%). Regarding the edible parts, fruits account for 19 (53%) followed by young shoots, leaves, and flowers, 4 (11%) for each. These plant species are eaten raw (86%) or cooked (14%) and most are collected by younger people for herding cattle. According to the preference ranking analysis, the fruit of Opuntia ficus-indica is the most preferred plant species because its sweet taste. Although Cordia africana, the most commonly used multipurpose wild edible plant species, is mostly exploited due to human activity, activities such as the production of charcoal, the gathering of firewood, the construction of homes, and the use of agricultural tools all played a significant role in the plant’s eventual extinction. In the study area, agricultural expansion was the main cause of putting wild edible plants in danger. It is best to cultivate and manage edible plants in a backyard garden and to perform more research on popular edible plant species.

The application of metal-based nanoparticles in inhibiting plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi has gained significant attention in recent years. several nanoparticles, including silver (Ag), titanium dioxide (TiO₂), magnesium oxide (MgO), copper (Cu), and zinc oxide (ZnO), can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) when exposed to light. The oxidative damage inflicted by ROS can disrupt the cellular structures and metabolic processes of pathogens, leading to their inactivation and inhibition. However, it is crucial to consider the potential environmental and health impacts of nanoparticle use. The safe and responsible use of nanoparticles and their potential risks should be thoroughly evaluated to ensure sustainable and effective plant disease management practices.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the nutritional, mineral, and phytochemical analyses of some selected wild edible plants from Tach Gaint District, Northwest Ethiopia. Proximate composition parameters (moisture, ash, crude fibre, crude fat, crude protein, carbohydrate, and energy) were evaluated using the methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, and elemental analysis was performed using the atomic absorption spectroscopy technique. Results from the nutritional analysis show that Erucastrum abyssinicum leaves had the highest crude protein content (17.470.03g/100g), followed by Amaranthus graecizans (14.970.03g/100g). The maximum moisture content (40.80.00g/100g) and ash content (24.700.15g/100g) were reported in the leaves of Amaranthus graecizans. The young shoots of Rumex abyssinicus had the highest crude fat content (14.070.03g/100g) and the highest fibre content (34.700.25g/100g), while the fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica had the highest amount of utilisable carbohydrate (44.40.00g/100g) and the estimated energy value (326.40.00Kcal/100g). Calcium was detected in considerable proportions (754.90.23mg/100g) followed by iron (31.630.03mg/100g) in Urtica simensis leaves and zinc content (3.090.02mg/100g) in young shoots of Rumex abyssinicus. Qualitative phytochemical screening, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, triterpenes, saponins, and tannins were found in the methanolic extract of the plants. The results of this study suggest that the consumption of such nutrient-rich wild edible plants could help add a remarkable amount of nutrient and mineral in the human diet.

This study was carried out to determine the mineral content and nutritional properties of five wild fruits Rhus vulgaris, Rosa abyssinica, Rhus natalensis, Euclea racemosa, and Ficus sur. The proximate composition parameters (moisture, ash, crude fiber, crude fat, and crude protein) and antinutritional factors were evaluated using methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists and elemental analysis using the atomic absorption spectroscopy technique. Among the five wild edible fruit species, Rhus vulgaris had the highest carbohydrate content (83.3±0.28g/100g) and a high total energy (344.5±2.21kcal/100g). Euclea racemosa was found to have the maximum ash content (12.8±0.37g/100g), protein content (3.22±0.01g/100g), and moisture (16.24±0.003g/100g), respectively. Rhus natalensis showed the highest fiber content (9.54±0.003g/100g). Mineral analysis showed that local wild fruits contained a considerable amount of minerals. The calcium concentration ranged from 99.51mg/100g in Euclea racemosa to 160.12mg/100g in Ficus sur. Potassium concentration varied from 54.34mg/100g in Euclea racemosa to 234mg/100g in Rhus vulgaris. Iron ranges from 21.4mg/100g in Rosa abyssinica to 41mg/100g in Rhus natalensis, and zinc ranges from 2.3mg/100g in Rhus vulgaris to 4.2mg/100g in Ficus sur. A high saponin content (2.12mg/100g) and a low tannin content (0.23mg/100g) were obtained in Rosa abyssinica. The phytate content (1.52mg/100g) and the oxalate content (0.9mg/100g) were high in Rhus natalensis. In conclusion, the present study shows that wild fruits can be used as food supplementation in food in a safe area.

The aim of this work is to document and record the use of medicinal plants to treat various ailments in the study area. A total of 84 informants, consisting of 54 men and 30 women, between 35 and 80 years of age were chosen. Additionally, 20 key informants were deliberately selected for their expertise. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews, group discussions, and guided field walks using semi-structured interview questions. Ethnobotanical data were analyzed using quantitative analytical tools such as preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, fidelity level and informant consensus factor. Forty-six medicinal plants belonging to 41 genera and 33 families were collected and identified. Brassicaceae, Ranunculaceae, and Polygonaceae had the highest abundance of medicinal plants used to treat various diseases in the study area. Most of the medicinal plants were herbs (43 %), followed by shrubs (35 %). The study revealed that leaves (45.7 %) were the most frequently used plant parts in the preparation of remedies. The most common mode of administration was oral ingestion (61 %), followed by dermal application (30 %). Zingiber officinale Roscoe and Allium sativum L.had the highest preference rank, whereas Croton macrostachyus Hochst. ex Delile was identified as the most popular medicinal plant due to its multipurpose use. while the value of fidelity level (FL) for medicinal plants in the study ranged from 34 % to 94 %. The study also identified several threats to medicinal plants in the study area, including charcoal production, overgrazing, and agricultural expansion. To prevent the eradication of these medicinal plants, the involvement of local communities in the management and conservation of plant resources is crucial.

The family Cucurbitaceae has a wide range of vegetable or fruit crops that are very important to the national or local economy. Ancient agricultural and medical texts as well as these folktales frequently refer to cultivated members of the Cucurbitaceae families. The plants of Cucurbitaceae family are rich in phytochemicals such as terpenoids, glycosides, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, and carotenoids responsible for the therapeutic effect. Various parts of these plants exhibit an excess pharmacological activity such as hypolipidemic, anticancer, antidiabetic activity, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities. Among the members of the Cucurbitaceae family, pumpkins and squash (Cucurbita moschata Duch., Cucurbita pepo L., and Cucurbita maxima Duch. ex Lam), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.), and melon (Cucumis melo L.) are particularly nutritious due to their beneficial vitamins and minerals. Consumption of some species as food or medicine without proper identification could be dangerous, as some poisonous wild species share a close resemblance with edible ones. A complete, safe, efficient, and cost-effective global conservation system for Cucurbitaceae genetic resources should be available, with germplasm and specific accession level information easily accessible, ideally in centralized global databases like Genesys.