From Traditional Food to Functional Food? Evaluation of Malvaceae Species as Novel Food Crops

Diversification of local food production can streamline supply chains, and ultimately increase security. Research often focuses on improving existing crops by selection agro-technology rather than searching for novel crops. Plants that are traditionally eaten interesting candidates adaptation to commercialised agriculture. In this research, two Malvaceae species were explored as potential crops, the literature suggests exhibits valuable nutritional merits. This work examined Malva nicaeensis Lavatera cretica, referred “Khubeza” (or “Hubeza”) a generic term. The plants experimentally cultivated in different locations, their leaves collected, nutritive values compared. Khubeza exhibited similar or better value spinach, used here reference product. Thus, we conclude has enhance security, expand economic implementation, overall diversify agriculture, making it more resilient face projected changes.