A Professor of Food Biochemistry and Functional Foods at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, Ola Salawu has highlighted the inherent potentials in indigenous foods toward preventing and controlling the effects of some ravaging terminal illnesses. He stated this while delivering the 209th inaugural lecture of the University on Tuesday 27th October, 2026.
Identifying tropical foods as functional foods and nutraceuticals, Salawu said “liver health and oxidative stress management are critical areas where plant-derived foods and beverages show promise. Ethanolic extracts of several vegetables significantly reduced CCI4-induced liver damage in rats, lowering ALT, AST, protein, and lipid peroxidation levels. Functional beverages from acha-tigernut blends exhibited notable radical scavenging activity (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP), measurable phenolic and flavonoid content, and favourable sensory qualities, supporting their role in food security.”
Salawu who titled his lecture, ”Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods: Nature’s Answer to the Trilogy of Man said ,“Spices, vegetables, and medicinal plants are not only staples of Nigerian diets but also potent sources of antioxidants that protect against oxidative stress and chronic diseases. Their phenolic and flavonoid compounds contribute to radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and anti-inflammatory effects, validating both nutritional and folkloric relevance.”
Nutraceuticals are food-derived substances or products associated with potential health benefits, while functional foods are foods that may provide benefits beyond basic nutrition when consumed as part of an appropriate diet. These include foods containing beneficial compounds such as dietary fibre, antioxidants and other bioactive substances. He added that vegetables, cereals, and legumes are vital dietary sources of antioxidants, protective against oxidative stress and chronic diseases.
Speaking further on the potential of some leafy foods in Nigeria, he said “vegetables and fruits are central to disease prevention, largely due to antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid, tocopherols, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds. Tropical vegetables, cereals, and legumes are rich in phenolic compounds such as flavonoids and cinnamoyl derivatives, which underpin their health-promoting potential.”
Evaluating usage of tropical plants in managing depression and anxiety, the don said “mental health disorder, particularly anxiety and depression, are escalating globally due to diverse stressors that activate the autonomic nervous system. Natural products are increasingly explored for managing neuro-psychiatric disorders linked to oxidative stress, neurotransmitter imbalance, and chronic stress.”
Professor Salawu, a former Director of Quality Assurance, FUTA said Nigeria is blessed with plants foods and medicinal plants in abundance and thus said that plants foods and medicinal plants should be systematically explored for drug discovery and nutraceutical development. He added that a comprehensive regulatory framework should be established to support the commercial production of safe and effective plant-based medicines.
He also recommended the establishment of a Central Botanical and Drug Research Institute to coordinate research, innovation, and the development of novel phytomedicines. In addition, he said a National Nutraceutical Research Centre should be created to strengthen basic and translational research in nutraceuticals, accelerate healthcare innovation, and promote the sustainable utilization of Nigeria’s botanical resources. To reverse increase in brain, drain in Nigeria, the don called on government to increase education funding, improve infrastructure, and implement competitive remuneration and welfare packages that promotes productivity, innovation, and academic excellence.
He said by making strategic investments in education, research, and scientific innovation, Nigeria can build a knowledge-driven economy, rather than import-dependent and monolithic economy. He added that this transition will improve healthcare outcomes, geared towards maintaining sound physical, emotional and mental well-being, and to secure sustainable national development.
Introducing the lecturer, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Professor Taiwo Amos described Professor Salawu as erudite and value-adding academic in his field of study. She said the don has exhibited his intellectual prowess in churning out many graduates in his field of study in addition to serving in administrative capacities.
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