Browsing by Author "Clement, Richard"

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Analysis of the Maasai Traditional Food System and Ethnomedicine For Health Benefits and Bioactive Potential Against Gout and Metabolic Disorders
(NM-AIST, 2025-07) Clement, Richard
Maasai’s traditional food system (TFS) and Traditional Medicine (TM) are claimed to keep a low prevalence of diseases, including gout (hyperuricemia with uric-acid crystals in tissues)and predisposed/predisposing conditions thereof (GACs); however, anti-oxidants and anti-hyperuricemics (AHAs) are not well-established in the TFS and TM. This calls to establish the link between TFS qualities and health benefits; floral species against diseases: Gout, GACs, and risk factors thereof; and floral anti-oxidants and AHAs contents. Ethnobiological and ethnobotanical surveys with 21 Maasai TFS and TM practitioners (MTPs) in Monduli, Arusha, Tanzania revealed that TFS and TM had a diversity of 101 flora species distributed in 84 genera and 42 families. The TFS had 19 dishes and a diversity of 78 flora species with potential nutrition, therapeutic and protective roles against gout and GACs. Food processing technologies (FPT), nixtamalization, and meat roasting have potential protection against GACs. Cultural preferences and restrictions (CPR) ensure individual nutritional and health needs are met, and reinforce Maasai socio-structure and cohesion. About 79% of the flora species were used as medicine; some as food, and for food processing. The medicinal plants (MPs) managed 69 health conditions, including gout, “Olgila,” and GACs. The root parts (54% species) were exploited the most; most flora (94%), sourced from the wild. Spectrophotometric analyses of 43 flora parts from 35 species commonly used in the TFS and TM showed total phenolic content (TPC) in mg GAE/g ranged between 0.02 ± 0.01 (Zathoxylum chalybeum fruit) and 231.39 ± 10.40 (Rhus vulgaris root). Total flavonoid content (TFC) in mg QE/granged between 1.24 ± 0.00 (Lepidotrichilia volkensii root) and 66.94 ± 0.03 (Dalbergia melanoxylon root-heartwood). Potassium content in mg K 100g-1 ranged between 97.68 (Rhamnus prinoides root) and 1392.01 (Piper capense root). Croton megalocarpus, Piper capense, Tetradenia riparia, and Vachellia nilotica had the highest content of calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, and zinc, varying between 263.85 and 9117 μg/g dry weight (DW). The FPT and flora species with high TPC, TFC, and minerals content are potential antioxidants and AHAs against “Olgila” and GACs. Integrated conservation and promotion measures are needed to prevent the loss of TFS and TM.
Ethnobiological survey to determine the link between health benefits and qualities of Maasai traditional food system in Monduli, Arusha, Tanzania
(Taylor & Francis, 2023-07) Clement, Richard; Runyogote, Joseph; Raymond, Jofrey; Chacha, Musa
Although Maasai’s traditional food system (TFS) is claimed to keep a low prevalence of metabolic diseases (MD), the link between its qualities and health benefits is not well established. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted to determine the link between health benefits and qualities of the Maasai TFS in Monduli, Arusha, Tanzania. The survey involved 21 Maasai TFS practitioners (MTPs) and revealed that the TFS has varieties of 19 dishes and a diversity of 78 flora species. The diversity of dishes and species had various potential health benefits: nutrition like Fe and vitamin A; therapeutic and protective effects against ailments including MD like gout, pressure, indigestion, and kidney disorders. Some food processing technologies (FPT) like nixtamalization, and meat roasting had potential protective effects against the MD. Cultural preferences and restrictions (CPR) for the food selection insured individual nutritional and health needs are met, and reinforcement of Maasai socio-structure and cohesion. Integrated protection and promotion measures are required to prevent unplanned nutritional transitions away from the TFS. Further research on the nutritional and medicinal roles of some FPT and the frequently used species could facilitate the protection and use of the TFS for the health benefits of especially marginalized people.
Ethnobotanical Survey of Flora Used in Maasai Food System and Traditional Medicine against Gout-related and Other Human Ailments in Monduli, Arusha, Tanzania
(Research Square, 2021-09-01) Clement, Richard; Raymond, Jofrey; Chacha, Musa
Background: Flora used by Maasai practitioners (MSPs) in traditional medicine (TM) and food system (FS) were investigated in Monduli District, Arusha, Tanzania. The objective of this study was to document the knowledge on flora used by MSPs in their FS and TM against gout-related and other ailments. Methods: Ethnobotanical knowledge held by 21 MSPs was investigated following standard approaches. Guided field walk, free listing, rigorous individual-interviews and local market surveys were employed to obtain information. Use value (UV) index, relative frequency of citation (RFC), specific RFC (RFCs), fidelity level (FL) and informant consensus factors (ICF) matrices were involved to determine the knowledge on flora used in Maasai FS and TM against gout-related and other ailments. Results: A total of 101 plant species in 83 genera and 47 families, used in Maasai FS and TM were recorded. Food, food processing or storage, and medicinal plant (MPs) flora accounted 29, 32 and 80 species respectively. MPs treated more than 38 ailments. A high proportion of plants recovered, was trees 45.19%; while 88.79% were retrieved from the wild habitat. Roots were mostly used part (30.73%); preparations were made from fresh or dry material and 44-species involved decoction in meat broth or stock. The frequently route of delivery was oral, 85.19%. About 37.5% of the MPs were used to treat joints’ pain or inflammation (ICF = 0.52) whereas, mostly used was Rapanea melanophloeos (FL = 1.00; RFCs = 0.29) followed by Withania somnifera (FL = 0.5; RFCs = 0.24). Withania somnifera frequently used against other gout-related ailments. Vangueria infausta and Olea europaea subsp. Africana uses in FS ranked the highest. Conclusion: The study area is very rich in flora biodiversity, and the flora is an integral part of the indigenous foods’ and health care systems. The flora is exposed to various destructive anthropogenic activities; thus, integrated conservation measures are required. The rich ethnobotanical knowledge held by MSPs, requires an in-depth study and documentation. Investigations of flora used in the FS, and TM, with high FL, and RFCs could contribute to future nutraceuticals and drug discovery against gout and other ailments.