1 Int.J.Curr.Biotechnol. Volume 3; Issue 3; Mar, 2015 Asemota Uwem Kelly, Salisu Abubakar, Okereke Omoaruemike Ebele, Etim Veronica Archibong and Onyenekwe Paul Chidozie, Ethnomycology: Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms of the Indigenous Gbagyi People of Nigeria, Int.J.Curr.Biotechnol., 2015, 3(3):1-7. Ethnomycology: Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms of the Indigenous Gbagyi People of Nigeria Asemota Uwem Kelly*, Salisu Abubakar, Okereke Omoaruemike Ebele, Etim Veronica Archibong and Onyenekwe Paul Chidozie Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Advanced Laboratory, Sheda science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO), P.M.B 186, Garki. Abuja. FCT. Nigeria. ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article History: Received 09 March 2015 Received in revised form 12 March 2015 Accepted 25 March 2015 Available online 30 March 2015 Key words: Edible and Medicinal mushrooms, Ethnomycology, Gbagyi people, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were prepared in Gbagyi language and administered to about 100 respondents randomly selected from twelve Gbagyi settlements in the Federal Capital Terri- tory, with the aid of interpreters who are indigenes. This study reveals that the Gbagyi people of Nigeria are mostly mycophagists. 93% of the respondents have used at least seven species of mushrooms as food. 92% consume edible mushrooms for taste and consider some species a great delicacy, 90% use mushrooms as a substitute for meat or fish, 20% for soup thicken- ing, 40% still prefer to use mushrooms as medicine or as a component of medicinal prepara- tions believing they are cheaper and with less side effects than orthodox medicine. 2% con- sume mushrooms for cultural reasons. The findings of this investigation indicate that about 28 species of mushrooms are known and used by the Gbagyi people for food, medicine, commer- cial and cultural reasons. However, the younger the respondent the less the knowledge and use of mushrooms. Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderma applanatum, Trametes versicolor, Fomes fomentarius, Laetiporus sulphurus and various species of Polypores are among the mush- rooms used as medicine or components of herbal preparations in the treatment of various ailments including pile, eye problem, ulcers, cancer, tumors, fever, stomach ache, pregnancy related ailments, management of HIV/AIDS and also as immune system boosters. Introduction As an ethnic nationality, the Gbagyi people originated from Kaduna state in the Northern part of Nigeria. They are one of the most widespread and numerous peoples with settlements in Plateau, Kaduna, Niger, Kogi States and the Federal Capital Territory (Roger and Musa, 1989). However, the Gbagyi people in this study are those in the Federal Capital Territory. They are the original settlers of Gwagwalada in Abuja, they are the most populated and indigenous ethnic groups in the Federal Capital Territory and their major occupation is farming (Chigudu, 2008; Mefor, 2008). The Gbagyi people believe that the head is sacred so they put their load including their harvest after a mushroom-hunt on their shoulders instead of the head. The majority are illiterate and peasant and can hardly afford meat and fish, therefore there is a great dependence on mushrooms as a replacement for meat and fish. The rainy season runs from April to October and is about 1,500mm (59.1in). The vegetation falls within Guinean forest savannah mosaic zone of the West African subregion. However patches of rainforest occur in some parts of the territory (wikipedia). These features make the region favourable for the growth of mushrooms. The Gbagyi word for mushroom is ‘munu’, Gbagyi language is rich in expressions and terminologies that reflect their ethnomycological usage of mushrooms (Roger and Musa, 1989). The Gbagyi or Gbari people have known and used mushrooms for food, medicine, commercial and cultural purposes from time immemorial. Among the Gbagyi, mushroom collection is mainly for household consumption, only a relatively small quantity is taken to market for sale and this is usually done by the women. They are also sold as medicine or as components of medicinal preparations in dried solid or powder form. For example in Gwagwalada and Kwali markets, dried mushrooms believed to be polypores are sold as medicine for the treatment of malaria and stomach problems. Fresh edible mushrooms are sold in the Kwali and Gwagwalada markets during the rainy season at very cheap rates. Gbagyi people consider mushrooms a great delicacy, sometimes more than one specie of mushroom is used at the same time in making soup, stew or pepper soup, this is in agreement with the observation of (Jonathan, 2002) that in Nigerian villages exposed to natural vegetation, a variety of mushrooms are used in the preparation of a dish. In the preparation of some mushroom – herbal medicines more than one specie of mushrooms could also be used. Mushrooms are usually preserved by air- drying, sun-drying and smoking for use during the dry season when mushrooms become scarce. International Journal of Current Biotechnology Journal Homepage : http://ijcb.mainspringer.com *Corresponding author. Email address: [email protected]ISSN: 2321 - 8371
Transcript
1 Int.J.Curr.Biotechnol. Volume 3; Issue 3; Mar, 2015
Asemota Uwem Kelly, Salisu Abubakar, Okereke Omoaruemike Ebele, Etim Veronica Archibong and Onyenekwe Paul Chidozie, Ethnomycology:Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms of the Indigenous Gbagyi People of Nigeria, Int.J.Curr.Biotechnol., 2015, 3(3):1-7.
Ethnomycology: Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms of the Indigenous Gbagyi People ofNigeria
Asemota Uwem Kelly*, Salisu Abubakar, Okereke Omoaruemike Ebele, Etim VeronicaArchibong and Onyenekwe Paul Chidozie
Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Advanced Laboratory, Sheda science and Technology Complex(SHESTCO), P.M.B 186, Garki. Abuja. FCT. Nigeria.
A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T
Article History:Received 09 March 2015Received in revised form 12 March 2015Accepted 25 March 2015Available online 30 March 2015
Key words:Edible and Medicinal mushrooms,Ethnomycology, Gbagyi people, FederalCapital Territory, Nigeria.
Structured questionnaires were prepared in Gbagyi language and administered to about 100respondents randomly selected from twelve Gbagyi settlements in the Federal Capital Terri-tory, with the aid of interpreters who are indigenes. This study reveals that the Gbagyi peopleof Nigeria are mostly mycophagists. 93% of the respondents have used at least seven speciesof mushrooms as food. 92% consume edible mushrooms for taste and consider some speciesa great delicacy, 90% use mushrooms as a substitute for meat or fish, 20% for soup thicken-ing, 40% still prefer to use mushrooms as medicine or as a component of medicinal prepara-tions believing they are cheaper and with less side effects than orthodox medicine. 2% con-sume mushrooms for cultural reasons. The findings of this investigation indicate that about 28species of mushrooms are known and used by the Gbagyi people for food, medicine, commer-cial and cultural reasons. However, the younger the respondent the less the knowledge anduse of mushrooms. Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderma applanatum, Trametes versicolor, Fomesfomentarius, Laetiporus sulphurus and various species of Polypores are among the mush-rooms used as medicine or components of herbal preparations in the treatment of variousailments including pile, eye problem, ulcers, cancer, tumors, fever, stomach ache, pregnancyrelated ailments, management of HIV/AIDS and also as immune system boosters.
Introduction As an ethnic nationality, the Gbagyi people originatedfrom Kaduna state in the Northern part of Nigeria. Theyare one of the most widespread and numerous peopleswith settlements in Plateau, Kaduna, Niger, Kogi Statesand the Federal Capital Territory (Roger and Musa, 1989).However, the Gbagyi people in this study are those inthe Federal Capital Territory. They are the original settlersof Gwagwalada in Abuja, they are the most populatedand indigenous ethnic groups in the Federal CapitalTerritory and their major occupation is farming (Chigudu,2008; Mefor, 2008). The Gbagyi people believe that thehead is sacred so they put their load including theirharvest after a mushroom-hunt on their shoulders insteadof the head. The majority are illiterate and peasant andcan hardly afford meat and fish, therefore there is a greatdependence on mushrooms as a replacement for meatand fish. The rainy season runs from April to Octoberand is about 1,500mm (59.1in). The vegetation falls withinGuinean forest savannah mosaic zone of the West Africansubregion. However patches of rainforest occur in someparts of the territory (wikipedia). These features makethe region favourable for the growth of mushrooms. TheGbagyi word for mushroom is ‘munu’, Gbagyi language
is rich in expressions and terminologies that reflect theirethnomycological usage of mushrooms (Roger andMusa, 1989). The Gbagyi or Gbari people have knownand used mushrooms for food, medicine, commercial andcultural purposes from time immemorial. Among theGbagyi, mushroom collection is mainly for householdconsumption, only a relatively small quantity is taken tomarket for sale and this is usually done by the women.They are also sold as medicine or as components ofmedicinal preparations in dried solid or powder form. Forexample in Gwagwalada and Kwali markets, driedmushrooms believed to be polypores are sold as medicinefor the treatment of malaria and stomach problems. Freshedible mushrooms are sold in the Kwali and Gwagwaladamarkets during the rainy season at very cheap rates.Gbagyi people consider mushrooms a great delicacy,sometimes more than one specie of mushroom is used atthe same time in making soup, stew or pepper soup, thisis in agreement with the observation of (Jonathan, 2002)that in Nigerian villages exposed to natural vegetation, avariety of mushrooms are used in the preparation of adish. In the preparation of some mushroom – herbalmedicines more than one specie of mushrooms couldalso be used. Mushrooms are usually preserved by air-drying, sun-drying and smoking for use during the dryseason when mushrooms become scarce.
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The ethnomycology of mushrooms by other tribes havebeen reported by various authors in Nigeria.Ethnomycology of edible and medicinal mushrooms isreported among the Igbos (Akpaja et al., 2003), Yorubas(Oso, 1975; Alabi 1994), Igalas (Ayodele et al., 2011) Binis(Akpaja et al.,2005), and Hausas (Okhuoya et al., 2010).A catalogue and identification of some wild ediblemacrofungi occuring in Nigeria has also been carried out(Nwordu et al., 2013). In other countries of the worldethnomycology of edible and medicinal mushrooms iswell documented. They include among others : Zambia(Pegler and Pierce, 1980), Ghana (Obodai and Apetorghor,2010), Benin (Dekessel et al., 2002), Guatemala (De Leon,2002) and India (Purukayastha and Chandra, 1985). Thereis a paucity of documented information on the indigenoususe of mushrooms for food, medicine and other purposesby the Gbagyi people of Nigeria. This work is thereforean attempt to highlight and document the indigenousknowledge and usage of mushrooms among this people.It is also to encourage the cultivation andcommercialization of mushrooms to improve food securityand go a long way in improving the general wellbeing ofthe peasant and illiterate among them; especially thewomen. This work also seeks to encourage furtherinvestigation into the rich array of mushrooms in Gbagyifarmlands as a potential cheap source of antibacterial,antifungal and antiviral drugs.
Materials and MethodsMushrooms were randomly collected from differentGbagyi farmlands over three rainy seasons (April -October, 2010 ; April - October, 2011 and April - October,2012). Photographs of the mushrooms growing in theirnatural habitat were taken before they were carefullyuprooted holding the stipe gently but firmly close to therhizomoph thus carrying some soil along with it to avoiddamaging the tissues and obstructing identification. Themushroom samples were shown to the indigenes foridentification by their local names. They wereimmediately taken to the Department of Biotechnologyand Genetic Engineering, Sheda Science and TechnologyComplex for identification, storage and further studies.The mushrooms were identified using standardconventional methods, coloured picture books andinternet. Representative samples of some of mushroomswere dried in the oven at 40°C and taken to the MushroomScience Unit, Plant Pathology and BiotechnologyDepartment, University of Benin, Benin for confirmation.
Study AreaAbuja lies between latitudes 8°25‘ N and 9°20‘ andLongitude 6°39‘. It is bordered on the North by KadunaState, East by Nassarawa State, to the South west byKogi State and to the West by Niger State. The Territoryis located just north of River Niger and Benue River andgeographically in the center of the country. It has a landmass of approximately 7,315km² of which the actual cityoccupies 275.3km². It is situated within the savannah withmoderate climatic conditions. The peasant people ofGbagyi are traditionally farmers. Two farmland settlementsof Gbagyi people from each of the Six Area Councils ofthe Federal Capital Territory, Abuja were randomlyselected as study area. They include Sheda, Kilankwa 1and 2 villages in Kwali Area Council, Mpape and Ushafavillages in Bwari Area Council, Pegi and Tika villages inKuje Area Council, Gwako and Tungan-maje villages inGwagwalada Area Council, Chegbeche and Rimba villagesin Abaji Area Council, Garki and Dangaza villages in AbujaMunicipal Area Council.
Sampling FrameThe target population was the Gbagyi also spelled asGbari or Gwarri people residing in various settlements inthe six Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory.About a hundred respondents were used for the study.
Results and DiscussionInformation for this study was obtained from the use ofstructured questionnaires, interviews and personalcommunication with the indigenes, traditional medicinepractitioners and hawkers. This investigation shows thatthere are about twenty eight (28) mushrooms knownand used by Gbagyi people for food, medicine andculture.
The edible and medicinal mushrooms of the Gbagyipeople of Nigeria are similar to those known and usedby Igala, Bini and Yoruba speaking people respectively(Ayodele et al., 2011; Akpaja et al., 2005; Adhikar, 1999).Personal communication with the indigenes indicates thatdue to the high cost of meat and fish, more people areturning to mushrooms as an alternative source ofproteins. It was also observed that many of the indigenesstill resort to traditional medicine especially in casesrelating to fertility, antenatal and post natal care. Theyattribute this to the fact that their traditional herbalmedicine is more natural, safer, more accessible and moreeconomical, considering the cost of transportation to thenearest hospital and also the cost of orthodox drugs(Dania, 2010).
Gbagyi people name mushrooms based on their uses,the substrate on which they grow, their growth pattern,and in most cases their physical features. However, manyof the indigenes have forgotten the names and uses ofthe mushrooms especially in the younger age group.Figure 1 depicts the location of the Federal CapitalTerritory on the map of Nigeria, showing that it is an areawith a good climate and rich vegetation favourable forthe growth of mushrooms. Plates 1-6 shows pictures ofedible mushrooms known and utilized by Gbagyi peoplewhile Plate 1-21 shows pictures of medicinal mushroomsknown and utilized by them. Some of the mushrooms arepotential sources of nutraceuticals as they can be usedas food and medicine. The most frequently occuringmushroom among Gbagyi people is "Sumbo munu",
Figure - 1: Map of Nigeria showing the location of Abujain the centre of Nigeria. Coordinates: 9°42 03 N 7°29203 E (http://www.fct.gov.ng).
Matured fruit bodies are steeped in hot boiling water to make tea.
Diarrhea, dysentery, hypertension, anaemia and fertilityproblems in women.
2 Ganoderma applanatum(artist conk)
Dnayi munu Found growing on dead or dying hardwoods
Boil dried slices in water to make a strong tea mixed with honey.
Strenthens the immune system, treatment of diabetes, piles, cancer and tumors.
3 Polypore spp1 Nyipekna - zhi munu
Dead tree trunks
The powder is mixed with shea butter and is applied externally to treat piles. It can be heated and inhaled to treat fever.
Treatment of piles and fever.
4 Polyporus spp 2 Pari munu Found on dead and decaying wood
Usually cooked with other herbs and drunk as tea.
Diarrhea,dysentery and fertility problems in women
5 Fomes fomentarius
Napwi munu Mushroom found on burnt firewood
As a component of other herbal preparations
Fever
6 Trametes versicolor
Not known Not known Cook with other herbs and drink as tea
Fever, Health strenthening
TABLE - 2 : MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS KNOWN AND USED BY THE GBAGYI PEOPLE.
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scientifically identified as Macrolepiota procera."Sumbo munu" occurs from May to October on wet soilunder large trees. It is very tasty with good flavour andis a common substitute for meat and fish and is also usedas a thickener in soups and stews. The mushroomconsidered as one of the most delicious is "Chugu munu",identified as Volvoriella volvocea, occurs in clusters atthe root of banana trees from April to October. It is usedin making soups, stews and pepper soup. Pleurotusostreatus and Pleurotus florida are all identified locallyas "Yingba" – yingba and are very versatile. They aredelicious, tasty and meat – like in texture, they occur onrotten and sometimes dead wood from May to November.They are common substitutes of meat and fish in soupsand stews. They can be used as nutraceuticals as theyare also used in the treatment of headaches, stomachache and asthma.
Another mushroom used by the Gbagyis is "Kpunbwamunu", identified as Auricularia auricular - Judae. Thismushroom derives it’s name from it’s resemblance tohuman ear. It is very delicious and versatile. It is foundoccuring on decaying wood from May to October. "Pyise– zhe munu" is Agaricus bisporus and is used as asubstitute for meat and fish in making soup. It has goodflavour and is very tasty. It derives it’s name from it’sresemblance to fowl eggs. "Chuari munu" identified asLaetiporus sulphurus is useful in soup making as athickener and as a substitute for meat and fish but if notparboiled before use it could be poisonous. It can alsobe used for all manner of stomach problems and is usuallyfound on dead wood and hence another good source ofnutraceuticals. "Zachukakpa munu" is identified asTermitomyces letestui. It derives it’s name from it’sresemblance to a dead man’s leg, it is usually foundembedded in the soil and according to some mushroomhunters who are indigenes, digging out the mushroommakes them feel as if they have dug out a dead man’s leg.Pepper soup made with this mushroom along with otherherbs cures malaria, fever and the dried powder is alsoeffective in healing boils. It is large but rare. Boletusedulis("Nakwo munu") is usually found growing on cow dungfrom April to October. It is a condiment in various dishes."Gogwoi munu", Identified scientifically as Ganodermalucidum, occurs abundantly from April to November ondecaying or dead wood. Even though this mushroom isgenerally considered inedible worldwide, some indigenesclaim it is edible, it’s tough texture not withstanding. Thisis because they are aware that it is highly medicinalespecially among the older people. Among the Gbagyis,it is popularly used for treating fertility problems inwomen, diarrhea, dysentery, hypertension, anaemia,stomach ache, eye problems, cancer, tumors, managementof HIV/AIDS and also to boost immunity. It is knownthat hot tea made from boiling the fungus or the driedpowder mixed with pap is health strenthening. This isnot surprising as rural people long ago discovered that aboiled tea from this mushroom is health strenthening withanti-microbial and stimulatory properties. The dried formof it is usually sold in the market with it’s identity kept aclose secret by traditional medicine practitioners. "Dnarimunu", identified as Ganoderma applanatum is inediblebut highly medicinal. It occurs on dead or decaying wood.Strong tea made from it is known to boost the immunesystem, it is therefore useful in the management of HIVpatients. Children usually pick it and draw or write onthem because it has a characteristic white surface."Nyipeknazhi munu", identified as Polypore spp is foundon dead tree trunks. The powder mixed with shea butteris applied externally for the treatment of piles and stomach
ailments. "Kpebe munu", scientifically identified asLactarius deliciousus occurs on dead wood. When it isfresh it brings out a breastmilk - like liquid. It can beeaten without cooking. The powder mixed with kwomi(shea butter) is used in the treatment of ulcer and eyeproblems. "Napwi munu" is identified as Fomesfomentarius. It is found occuring on burnt firewood andis a medicinal mushroom. It was also found that "Etsumunu", not yet identified scientifically is now rare in theregion but it is interesting to note that whenever themushroom is found by a man it enhances his chances ofbeen given a chieftaincy title. Other mushrooms whichwere known and used but are now very rare and was notfound in the course of this study includes "Ciju munu"which was usually found at the base of rotting treesduring rainy season and is a good condiment in makingokra soup (Dania, 2010). Other mushrooms which seemto be going extinct are : "jeje munu", "lei munu" and"dwori jiji munu" (Dania, 2010). From personalcommunication with indigenes especially traditionalmedicine practitioners it was found that medicinalmushrooms known and used by the Gbagyi do not haveany side effects.
RecommendationFrom the information obtained in this investigation, it isrecommended that more research should be done on theethnomycology of edible and medicinal mushrooms inthe country as information on thse mushrooms are fastgetting extinct, since it is mostly people in the older agebracket that have this information. Cultivation of thesemushrooms especially the ones with nutraceuticalpotentials should be done using Solid State Fermentationand also submerged fermentation. There should also beproper documentation of these as there is paucity ofdocumented information on most medicinal mushroomsin Nigeria.
ConclusionIn conclusion, mycophagy should be encouraged topromote food security and reduce the protein and mineraldeficiences prevalent in the diet of the people. This willalso go a long way to improve the economic wellbeing ofthe peasant people of Gbagyi. It is therefore pertinent toconclude that Gbagyi farmlands hold a rich array ofunexplored and untapped mushrooms which can be usedin the production of nouveu nutraceuticals, myco-disinfectants and myco-coagulants.
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