Abstract
Background
As one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, Indonesia contains over 19,000 plant species, including wild edible plants (WEPs). These WEPs complement people’s diets and substitute for common vegetables, particularly in rural areas. However, in West Java, the biodiversity of WEPs is declining, which coincides with public health issues related to malnutrition. Because they often contain high levels of micronutrients WEPs can be used as a healthy dietary alternative, especially given the growing prevalence of micronutrient deficiency and diet-related diseases among the Indonesian population. Despite the potential benefits of addressing these issues, limited research has been conducted on this topic. This study aims to document the diversity of WEPs in rural West Java, assess communities’ perceptions regarding their availability and importance, and determine factors influencing their consumption.
Methods
Mixed methods were employed, including ethnobotanical surveys with 20 key informants and a cross-sectional survey assessing perceptions, attitudes, and correlates of WEP consumption among 107 women in three villages in the region. The nutritional compositions of documented WEPs were obtained from literature and analysis. Bivariate correlation was used to analyze the relationships between WEP consumption frequency and potential correlates.
Results
The study documented 53 species of WEPs from 27 families, and many of which are rich in nutritional value, serving as sources of both macro- and micronutrients. WEP use prevalence was found to be 97%. The main motivations for using WEPs were their availability as free food (33%), medicinal value (26%), nostalgic value (23%), and preferred taste (18%). WEP consumption frequency was positively correlated with age, livestock possession (p < 0.05), and knowledge related to WEP (p < 0.01), while being negatively associated with the number of family members (p < 0.05). Most respondents (92%) agreed that consumption has declined compared to the past.
Conclusions
WEP use is common in the study area, and these plants are highly valued for their critical roles in diet, economy, and culture. They have the potential to improve community diets and nutrition. Educating and raising awareness about their nutritional values among communities can enhance their consumption, thereby contributing to addressing nutrition disparities.