Bioactive Chemicals and Biological Activities of Elephant Foot Yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson)

Elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Dennst.) Nicolson) is a tropical crop of the Araceae family that produces large underground rounded corms. It is the oldest cultivated crop traditionally used for the treatment of various health ailments and is an important source of food for the developing world. The corms of elephant foot yam (EFY) can be utilized as a source of carbohydrates, protein, minerals, vitamins, resistant starch, and dietary fiber in the human diet. The high dietary fiber, minerals (potassium, phosphorus, and iron), vitamins (A, B, Niacin, etc.), and low levels of fat in EFY corm make it a very suitable ingredient for value-added food products. Food scientists have shown great interest in the bioactive chemicals (phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glucomannans, triterpenoids, and phytosterols) of EFY corm as they not only cure the established ailments but also play an important role in preventing diseases. The antioxidant, antihelminthic, anticancer, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, gastroprotective, and hepatoprotective effects of bioactive chemicals present in EFY corms have been reported in the literature. In the present scenario, EFY corms have the potential to be utilized as a source of bioactive constituents for preventing inflammation, diabetes, obesity, heart diseases, and cancer. Studies have supported the role of EFY corm intake in lowering lipids, glycaemia, blood pressure, and weight management. The present chapter provides information about the botanical description of the EFY plant, its nutritional profile, bioactive chemicals present in EFY corms, their bioactivities, and health benefits.