Micronutrient composition of Bidens pilosa growing in three Extension Planning Areas of Rumphi district, Malawi

Micronutrient deficiencies are currently a public health concern in Malawi affecting preschool children, school aged children, adolescent girls and women of reproductive age. Dietary diversification offers an opportunity in addressing micronutrient deficiencies in Rumphi, Malawi. Incorporation of cheap readily available food might be a sustainable way of addressing micronutrient deficiencies in Rumphi district. Bidens pilosa, is an underutilized indigenous dark green vegetable growing wildly as a weed in Malawi. The plant is easily accessible and readily available in Rumphi. The study was done to explore its micronutrient content and to compare the micronutrient values with other locally consumed vegetables in Malawi. Bidens pilosa leaf samples were collected from three Extension Planning Areas (EPAs) of Rumphi district. Moisture, ash, iron, zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium content determination were done on the samples. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20 was used to analyze data where means were separated using Tukey’s post Hoc test. No significant differences (p>0.05) were found in moisture, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium and potassium contents among samples from the three EPAs. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in ash, calcium, sodium and vitamin C. Micronutrient values found by the study compared greatly with other commonly consumed vegetables in Malawi. Bidens pilosa was also found to be a good contributor towards Dietary Reference Intakes for children, adolescent girls and women of reproductive age. These findings highlight the potential of Bidens pilosa as a cheap, readily available source of micronutrients in Rumphi, Malawi which can be incorporated in the dietary diversification interventions in addressing micronutrient deficiencies.

Bidens pilosa, micronutrient, underutilization, Malawi, micronutrient deficiency

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