TARO (COLOCASIA ESCULENTA): A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ITS NUTRITIONAL, CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

Abstract

Taro (Colocasia esculenta), a perennial herbaceous crop of the Araceae family, is a globally significant tropical root crop, originating in Southeast Asia over 7,000 years ago. Cultivated in over 60 countries, it thrives in humid, tropical conditions (21–27°C, >1,500 mm rainfall), yielding up to 30 t/ha in wetland systems and adapting to upland fields with mulching. Its corms, comprising 70–80% starch with 5–10% resistant starch, offer a low glycemic index (54–63), while leaves provide potassium (400–600 mg/100g), vitamin C (20–50 mg/100g), and proteins (20–30% dry weight). Taro’s phytochemicals, including polyphenols (50–200 mg GAE/100g), flavonoids (e.g., luteolin), and alkaloids, exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic, diuretic, and hepatoprotective activities, supporting its use in functional foods and pharmaceuticals. Culturally, taro holds profound significance, symbolizing deity Hāloa in Hawaiian kalo traditions and bolstering post-cyclone food security in Fijian agroforestry. Economically, it ranks as the fifth most important root crop, with over 10 million tons produced annually, led by Nigeria, China, and Pacific nations. Innovations in taro flour, starch, and bioethanol, alongside sustainable applications like biodegradable films, enhance its industrial value. Despite challenges like taro leaf blight and post-harvest losses (20–30%), taro’s genetic diversity (>1,000 landraces) and resilience underscore its role in sustainable agriculture and food security. This review underscores taro’s ecological versatility, cultural importance, and economic potential, advocating for genomic breeding and processing advancements to maximize its global impact.