Biochemical and Nutritional Profiling of Important Ethiopian Enset (Ensete ventricosum) Landraces: Implications for Nutrition, Safety, and Traditional Medicine.

BACKGROUND: Ensete ventricosum (enset) is a multipurpose staple crop central to food security in Ethiopia, where landraces Kake, Kerse, and Mundo are traditionally used to treat bone fractures, wounds, abdominal pain, and skin ailments. However, the biochemical basis for these part-specific applications remains poorly characterized, and no previous study has systematically compared nutrient profiles across landraces, plant parts, and geographic contexts. OBJECTIVE: This study quantitatively evaluated proximate composition, macro- and micronutrient profiles, and heavy metal content in corm, pseudostem, leaf, and midrib of three Ethiopian enset landraces from the Gedeo Zone, and compared findings with published data from other Ethiopian regions and from processed enset products (kocho, bulla). METHODS: Proximate composition was determined using standard AOAC methods, with crude protein quantified by Kjeldahl. Elemental analysis was performed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Statistical differences among landraces and plant parts were assessed using two-way ANOVA with Tukey's HSD post-hoc test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Distinct biochemical specialization was observed among landraces and plant parts. Corms of Kake and Mundo were rich in zinc (88-121 mg/kg) and phosphorus (up to 2,986 mg/kg). Leaves exhibited high protein (16.0-19.6%), iron (> 1,000 mg/kg), and calcium (up to 10,119 mg/kg). The midrib of Kerse showed elevated magnesium (1,847 mg/kg). Two-way ANOVA revealed significant landrace × plant part interaction effects for most minerals (p < 0.05). However, the presence of anti-nutritional factors particularly phytate limits mineral bioavailability, as indicated by molar ratios exceeding critical thresholds [1, 2]. Elevated mercury levels in several samples (up to 2.867 mg/kg) exceeded FAO/WHO limits, while other heavy metals were within safety thresholds. Comparison with published data revealed that protein levels in Gedeo Zone leaves exceed previously reported ranges (10-15%) for enset leaves from other Ethiopian regions. Traditional fermentation into kocho reduces protein content by 80-90% compared to raw corm. CONCLUSION: These findings provide biochemical evidence consistent with the traditional uses of enset landraces. However, mineral bioavailability is likely limited by anti-nutritional factors, and pharmacological activities may be mediated by secondary metabolites rather than minerals alone, warranting phytochemical screening. Elevated mercury levels in some samples indicate food safety concerns requiring investigation. The observed biochemical diversity supports conservation of local enset genetic resources.