Kokoro (vegetable)
Encyclopedia
Kokoro is a variety of Dioscorea rotundata yam that are abundant in Western Nigeria
, Benin
and Togo
. Their common use by ethnic groups such as the Yoruba
that put heavy pressure on the cultivated land suggest that they have been cultivated since ancient times, since they are the only type of yam that gives good yields on degraded soil.
In modern times, Kokoro yams are gaining in importance as the yam chips trade is expanding.
The Kokoro variety is essential for preparing peeled and dried yam.
Derivatives of wild kokoro yams are used as an ingredient in progesterone
cremes for women, which are claimed by the manufacturers to eliminate problems associated with menstruation and menopause.
The wild yams do not contain progesterone, but diosgenin
obtained from yams may be converted during commercial synthesis into progesterone.
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, Benin
Benin
Benin , officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in West Africa. It borders Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east and Burkina Faso and Niger to the north. Its small southern coastline on the Bight of Benin is where a majority of the population is located...
and Togo
Togo
Togo, officially the Togolese Republic , is a country in West Africa bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, on which the capital Lomé is located. Togo covers an area of approximately with a population of approximately...
. Their common use by ethnic groups such as the Yoruba
Yoruba people
The Yoruba people are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa. The majority of the Yoruba speak the Yoruba language...
that put heavy pressure on the cultivated land suggest that they have been cultivated since ancient times, since they are the only type of yam that gives good yields on degraded soil.
In modern times, Kokoro yams are gaining in importance as the yam chips trade is expanding.
The Kokoro variety is essential for preparing peeled and dried yam.
Derivatives of wild kokoro yams are used as an ingredient in progesterone
Progesterone
Progesterone also known as P4 is a C-21 steroid hormone involved in the female menstrual cycle, pregnancy and embryogenesis of humans and other species...
cremes for women, which are claimed by the manufacturers to eliminate problems associated with menstruation and menopause.
The wild yams do not contain progesterone, but diosgenin
Diosgenin
Diosgenin, a steroid sapogenin, is the product of hydrolysis by acids, strong bases, or enzymes of saponins, extracted from the tubers of Dioscorea wild yam, such as the Kokoro...
obtained from yams may be converted during commercial synthesis into progesterone.