ABSTRACT
Con el objetivo de conocer y rescatar la historia, usos y manejo dado a Dioscorea bulbifera L. por las comunidades campesinas del distrito de Donoso (provincia de Colón, Panamá) se llevó a cabo un estudio etnobotánico en el primer semestre de 2012. El mismo se desarrolló a partir de grupos focales, recorridos de campo y entrevistas semiestructuradas a personajes clave (ancianos, curanderos y personas que cultivan D. bulbifera). Se realizaron cinco grupos focales y 11 entrevistas semiestructuradas, abordando aspectos relativos a historia, nombres, manejo tradicional, usos y formas de consumo de la papa de aire en la región. Como resultados destacados se tiene que D. bulbifera es una especie de muy vieja presencia en las comunidades, teniendo como uso principal la alimentación humana. Igualmente, los agricultores dan cuenta de la importancia de esta especie como alimento altamente nutritivo y con algunos usos medicinales. La información recabada sugiere un conocimiento erosionado respecto de esta especie, lo cual se refleja en el nivel de conocimiento de su manejo y la disminución de su cultivo. No obstante, el conocimiento rescatado resulta de gran utilidad para el establecimiento de ensayos que se orienten a la sistematización de prácticas de cultivo de esta especie.
In order to know and rescue the history, uses and management of Dioscorea bulbifera L. given by peasant communities in the district of Donoso (Colón Province, Panamá) an ethno-botanical study was conducted in the first semester 2012. The study was developed from focus groups, field observations and semi-structured interviews to key figures (elders, healers and people who plant D. bulbifera). Five focus groups and eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted, addressing aspects of history, names, traditional management, uses and forms of consumption of air potatoes in the region. Some outstanding results, demonstrate that Dioscorea bulbifera is a species of very old presence in the communities, used mainly for human consumption. Furthermore, farmers report the importance of this species as a highly nutritious food and having some medicinal uses. The information gathered suggests an eroded knowledge about this species, which is reflected in the level of knowledge of its handling and decreased cultivation. However, the rescued knowledge is useful for establishing essays that aim to systematize practices for cultivation of this species.
Subject(s)
Humans , Panama , Knowledge , Dioscorea , Food SupplyABSTRACT
This study was to determine some elements concentration in a few plant used as food. We were collected six different native plants in Gaziantep and its neighbor villages. These plants and their common names; Capsella bursa-pastoris L. (Shepherd's-purse), Rumex acetosella L. (Sheep's sorrel), Urtica dioica L. (Nettles), Portulaca oleraceae L. (Verdolaga), Malva neglecta Wallr. (Mallow) and Sinapis alba L. (Wild mustard). The collected samples were cleaned, cut, and dried at 105 ◦C for 24 h. The samples were dissolved in 14 M HNO3 and residues were dissolved in 1 M HCl after diluated 50 ml ultra-pure water. After mineralization, the metals were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. We were investigated contents of some nutrient and trace elements (Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, Co, K, Fe, Ca and Na) in these plants. According to result of our study, especially Portulacca oleraceae L. high concentration than other plants in terms of Cu, Pb, Zn and K. Highest Na concentration identified the Rumex acetosella L. but, Urtica dioica L. is least concentration than other plants in terms of all elements. We identified as the result of study, Portulaca oleraceae L. inclined to accumulation to heavy metals.