Estudo comparativo de plantas alimentícias em comunidades rurais da caatinga pernambucana e paraibana: etnobotânica, potencial econômico e conteúdo nutricional. / Comparative study of food plants in rural communities of the caatinga of Pernambuco and Paraiba, ethnobotany, economic potential and nutritional content.

AUTOR(ES)
FONTE

IBICT - Instituto Brasileiro de Informação em Ciência e Tecnologia

DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

27/12/2010

RESUMO

The wild plants represent an inexhaustible source of food yet unknown by the scientific community and the general population, but which are widely used by traditional communities in different ecosystems both in complementing their usual diet arising from agriculture, and in times of food scarcity. The research objective was to identify in two rural communities the presence of native and spontaneous species used / or known as human food, and to determine the chemical composition of the best known species. The study was conducted in two communities in northeastern Brazil, one in the city of Altinho, state of Pernambuco and one in Soledad, State of Paraiba. Both localities it possesses Caatinga vegetation type, but are subjected to different precipitation regimes. Ethnobotanical different tools were used to determine the species known by the population, to investigate the existence of knowledge about species emergency use and to select the species to be analyzed. The main species were investigated for the centesimal profile and the total content of anthocyanins, carotenoids and flavonols. The study revealed that the communities studied have extensive knowledge of food plants originated from Caatinga vegetation, although the use of these species is rare nowadays. Moreover, the flora of this vegetation is an important source of nutrition for the population as well as compounds with potential bioactivity, which can supplement the diet of the population also represents a strategy to fight hunger that affects the region, especially in periods dry years. However, even taking a considerable nutritional value, the incorporation of these species in the diet of the population requires a lot of effort is necessary to develop programs and outreach activities that disseminate knowledge about them, help to eliminate bias and be aware of the importance of population resources as a valuable and inexpensive source of nutrients.

ASSUNTO(S)

etnobotânica plantas alimentícias silvestres alimentos emergenciais botanica ethnobotany wild food plants famine foods

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