A Professor of Food Biochemistry and Functional Foods at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ola Salawu, has highlighted the potential of indigenous foods, spices and medicinal plants to support liver health, combat oxidative stress and help manage chronic diseases.
Salawu stated this while delivering FUTA’s 209th inaugural lecture on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, titled “Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods: Nature’s Answer to the Trilogy of Man.”
He identified tropical foods as important sources of functional foods and nutraceuticals, citing research findings that demonstrate the potential health benefits of plant-derived foods and beverages.
According to him, ethanolic extracts of several vegetables significantly reduced carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver damage in rats, lowering levels of liver enzymes, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), as well as indicators of lipid peroxidation.
He added that functional beverages made from acha and tigernut blends showed antioxidant activity in laboratory tests, including DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays, alongside measurable phenolic and flavonoid content and favourable sensory qualities.
Salawu said spices, vegetables and medicinal plants, which are staples of Nigerian diets, contain antioxidants that may help protect the body against oxidative stress and chronic diseases.
“Their phenolic and flavonoid compounds contribute to radical-scavenging activity, reducing power and anti-inflammatory effects, validating both their nutritional and folkloric relevance,” he said.
The professor explained that nutraceuticals are food-derived substances or products associated with potential health benefits, while functional foods may offer benefits beyond basic nutrition when consumed as part of an appropriate diet.
He noted that vegetables, cereals and legumes provide important antioxidants and other bioactive compounds that may help protect against oxidative stress and support disease prevention.
Speaking on the health benefits of tropical plants, Salawu said fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, tocopherols, carotenoids and phenolic compounds.
He added that tropical vegetables, cereals and legumes contain phenolic compounds, including flavonoids and cinnamoyl derivatives, which contribute to their potential health-promoting properties.
On the use of tropical plants in managing depression and anxiety, the don said natural products were increasingly being investigated for their potential role in addressing neuropsychiatric disorders associated with oxidative stress, neurotransmitter imbalance and chronic stress.
Salawu, a former Director of Quality Assurance at FUTA, said Nigeria had abundant plant and medicinal resources that should be systematically explored for drug discovery and nutraceutical development.
He called for a comprehensive regulatory framework to support the commercial production of safe and effective plant-based medicines.
The professor also recommended establishing a Central Botanical and Drug Research Institute to coordinate research, innovation and the development of new plant-based medicines.
He proposed a National Nutraceutical Research Centre to strengthen basic and translational research, accelerate healthcare innovation and promote the sustainable use of Nigeria’s botanical resources.
Addressing the challenge of brain drain, Salawu urged the government to increase funding for education, improve infrastructure and provide competitive remuneration and welfare packages to promote productivity, innovation and academic excellence.
He said strategic investment in education, research and scientific innovation would help Nigeria build a knowledge-driven economy, reduce dependence on imports and diversify its economic base.
According to him, such investments would also improve healthcare outcomes, promote physical, emotional and mental well-being, and support sustainable national development.
Introducing the lecturer, the Vice-Chancellor of FUTA, Professor Adenike Oladiji, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Taiwo Amos, described Salawu as an erudite scholar who had made valuable contributions to his field.
She said he had demonstrated his intellectual capacity through the training of graduates and service in various administrative positions at the university.
