NUTRACEUTICAL AND ANTINUTRITIONAL PROPERTIES OF WILD EDIBLE PLANTS CONSUMED BY PREGNANT WOMEN AND SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN (6-12 YEARS) IN NAJJEMBE SUB-COUNTY, BUIKWE DISTRICT, UGANDA

Wild edible plants (WEPs) immensely contribute to the diets and livelihoods of rural and marginalised communities. In rural Uganda, they play an important role as break tea packages for school-age children and due to their perceived nutraceutical significance, they are always added to the diets of pregnant women. This study investigated the nutraceuticals and antinutrients in Basella alba L., Termitomyces microcarpus, Cucurbita pepo L., and Solanum anguivi L. using standard AOAC methods. Results showed that all plants had high Potassium, Phosphorous, iron, copper, zinc, and manganese content, were good sources of antioxidants, and had low phytate contents. The study concluded that these WEPs are rich sources of important nutrients and can complement staple foods to ensure balanced nutrition for pregnant women and school-age children.