2025/10/27 by Sosanya, O. S., Oyedele, Y. D.
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Medicine · #Plant Growth Enhancement Techniques #Papaya Research and Applications #Plant Pathogens and Resistance
paper · doi:10.82552/njhs.v29i4.136-141
Orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) is a biofortified crop rich in provitamin A carotenoids and essential nutrients, yet its postharvest losses due to fungal deterioration remain a significant challenge. Synthetic fungicides are effective but raise concerns regarding food safety and environmental sustainability, necessitating safer alternatives such as botanicals. This study evaluated the effects of pawpaw (Carica papaya), moringa (Moringa oleifera), neem (Azadirachta indica), and bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) extracts on the physico-chemical, mineral, and proximate composition of OFSP roots compared to untreated control and synthetic fungicide-treated samples. Results showed that bitter leaf treatment yielded the highest vitamin A (922.81 µg/100g RE), vitamin C (28.15 mg/100g), and carotenoids (11,875.71 µg/100g), outperforming both control and synthetic fungicide treatments. Similarly, bitter leaf improved mineral contents with significantly higher potassium (0.124%), calcium (0.063%), iron (4.25 mg/kg), and zinc (3.71 mg/kg). Proximate analysis revealed that bitter leaf and synthetic fungicide treatments significantly enhanced crude protein, fat, fibre, and ash content compared to control, while maintaining acceptable dry matter and carbohydrate composition. These findings highlight the potential of botanicals particularly bitter leaf as sustainable alternatives to synthetic fungicides in preserving the nutritional and functional quality of OFSP roots.