*2.4.1 Dioscorea alata*

It is widely called "water yam", "winged yam" and "purple yam". It is the most widely cultivated specie globally and it is second to white yam in popularity [36, 37]. Water yam is economically important yam specie which serve as a staple food for millions of people in tropical and subtropical countries, and with a great potential for increase in consumers demand due to its low sugar content necessary for diabetic patients [38]. Aside from being source of carbohydrate, it also possesses higher content of protein and low lipids than *D. cayenensis*, *D. escunlenta*, *D. rotundata* and *D. trifida* [39].
