Biochemical Specialization Across Plant Parts of Three Ethiopian Medicinal Enset (Ensete ventricosum) Landraces: Implications for Nutrition, Safety, and Traditional Medicine

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> Background Ensete ventricosum is a multipurpose staple crop central to food security in Ethiopia and is traditionally referred to as “the tree against hunger.” In the Gedeo Zone, specific landraces; Kake, Kerse, and Mundo, are widely consumed and used in ethnomedicine to treat bone fractures, wounds, abdominal pain, and skin ailments. Despite their importance, the biochemical basis underlying these part-specific traditional applications remains insufficiently characterized. Objective This study aimed to quantitatively evaluate and compare the proximate composition, macro- and micronutrient profiles, and heavy metal content of different plant parts (corm, pseudostem, leaf, and midrib) of three Ethiopian enset landraces to assess their nutritional value, safety, and traditional therapeutic relevance. Methods Proximate composition was determined following standard AOAC protocols, with crude protein quantified using the Kjeldahl method. Macro-, micro-, and heavy metal elements were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma–Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Results Distinct part-specific biochemical specialization was observed among the landraces. Corms of Kake and Mundo were particularly rich in zinc (88–121 mg/kg) and phosphorus (up to 2,986 mg/kg), supporting their traditional use in bone healing and wound recovery. Leaves across all landraces exhibited high crude protein content (16.0–19.6%), iron concentrations exceeding 1,000 mg/kg, and elevated calcium levels (up to 10,119 mg/kg), indicating strong nutritional potential. The midrib of Kerse showed notably high magnesium content (1,847 mg/kg), consistent with its traditional use for alleviating abdominal pain. Toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, were below detectable limits, while all other metals remained within internationally acceptable safety thresholds. Conclusion The findings provide robust scientific validation for the part-specific traditional uses of Ethiopian enset landraces and confirm their nutritional safety. The observed biochemical diversity highlights the importance of conserving enset genetic resources and demonstrates that indigenous knowledge effectively guides the identification of nutritionally and therapeutically valuable plant parts. These results reinforce the role of Ensete ventricosum in food security, nutrition, and ethnomedicine.