Importancia nutricional y actividad biológica de los compuestos bioactivos de quelites consumidos en México / Nutritional importance and biological activity of bioactive compounds from quelites consumed in Mexico

Sólo un 30% de los hogares en México, presentan seguridad alimentaria, es decir, un gran porcentaje de los hogares y por ende de la población no satisfacen las necesidades básicas diarias de macro y micronutrimentos. Los quelites, que se definen como plantas silvestres comestibles (hojas, tallos y flores) son una fuente accesible, continua, económica y adecuada de nutrimentos. Sin embargo, su consumo ha disminuido por modificaciones en las preferencias alimentarias, derivadas de los cambios en estilos de vida. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue valorizar a los quelites como fuente de alimento. Los quelites, aportan proteínas, aminoácidos, minerales (Ca, Mg, Zn), vitaminas (E, C) y fibra. Además, son una excelente fuente de compuestos bioactivos, como ácidos fenólicos (ácido cafeico, ferúlico) y flavonoides (quercetina, kaempferol, espinacetina), carotenoides, ácido α-linolénico y betalainas, que presentan elevada actividad antioxidante. Su consumo habitual se ha relacionado con beneficios a la salud, tales como efectos antitumorales, antihiperlipidémicos y antidiabéticos. Los quelites, además de estar disponibles en forma silvestre, forman parte de las tradiciones culinarias de México, incorporados de forma cruda y cocida en los platillos regionales. Por lo tanto, la revalorización y reincorporación de los quelites en la dieta, puede coadyuvar a cubrir las necesidades nutrimentales, en poblaciones con poco acceso o inseguridad alimentaria, además de contribuir a proporcionar efectos adicionales a través de sus compuestos bioactivos.

Only 30% of households in Mexico present food security, which means a large percentage of households and the population does not meet their needs in terms of macro and micronutrients. Thus, quelites, which are defined as wild edible plants, are an accessible, continuous, economical and adequate source of nutrients. However, quelite consumption in Mexico has been decreasing in response to changes in food preferences and lifestyles, including increased exposure to hypercaloric foods. Therefore, the aim of this work was to discuss the value of quelites as a food source rich in nutrients, proteins, amino acids, minerals (Ca, Mg, Zn), vitamins (E, C) and fiber. We also discuss how quelites are good source of bioactive compounds, such as phenolic acids (caffeic acid, ferulic acid) and flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, spinacetin), carotenoids, α-linolenic acid and betalaines. There use have been mainly related to the anti-tumor, antihyperlipidemic and antidiabetic benefits. We further discuss topics related to the culinary traditions of Mexico and the incorporation of quelites in the raw and cooked form in regional markets. The revaluation and the reincorporation of quelites in the diet can help meet nutritional needs, in addition to possibly providing additional health benefits.

Diversity of Soil Cyanobacteria in Relation to Dominant Wild Plants and Edaphic Factors at Western Saudi Arabia

The study aims at evaluating cyanobacterial diversity along altitudinal gradient with respect to various edaphic factors at western Saudi Arabia. Thirty-one cyanobacteria species belonging to 17 genera were isolated and identified along the different sites of the study area. Nostoc and Spirulina had the highest number of species in the study area (four species each), followed by Chroococcus and Oscillatoria (two species each). The number of colonies had positive correlation with organic matter and phosphates. The application of the two-way indicator species analysis to the data set of the percentage presence of 31 cyanobacteria species in 40 stands resulted in agglomerating of 6 groups (communities) at 4th level of classification. The application of the detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) indicates reasonable segregation between these groups .The application of CCA on the cyanobacteria communities and environmental variables indicated that some cyanobacteria species are correlated positively with total number of associated plants, TSS and phosphates such as Woella saccata Wolle, Chroococcus minor Lemm, Chroococcus majore Lemm, Microcystis areuginosa, Smith Anabaena spiroides Lemm and Nostoc muscorum Agard, while others are negatively correlated with organic matter, chlorides, pH, EC, clay and silt such as Oscillatoria limosa Bory, Synchococcus sp., Spirulina major Kutz and Lyngbya borgertii Lemm. It is worthy to mentioned that, the soil samples dominated by Commicarpus sinaicus Meikle, Verbesina encelioides (Cav.) Benth &Hook. f. ex A. Gray, Argemone ochroleuca Sweet, Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq.) Boiss., Acacia tortolis (Forssk.) Galasso & Banfi and Morettia parviflora Boiss. had no cyanobacteria species.

Leguminosas (Fabaceae) silvestres de uso medicinal del distrito de Lircay, provincia de Angaraes (Huancavelica, Perú) / Wild medicinal Legumes species (Fabaceae) in the district of Lircay, province of Angaraes (Huancavelica, Peru)

Se presenta un estudio etnobotánico sobre las Leguminosas (Fabaceae) silvestres de uso medicinal de una región altoandina del Perú (distrito de Lircay, provincia de Angaraes, departamento de Huancavelica). La metodología se basó en entrevistas semiestructuradas a 33 informantes clave, calculando el índice de Importancia Cultural. Se registran 12 géneros con 17 especies. Todas las plantas poseen por lo menos un nombre vernáculo y tienen usos adicionales a la categoría medicinal. Dos especies son comercializadas en Lircay: Desmodium molliculum y Otholobium pubescens. Se reportan nueve categorías de uso, siendo la categoría medicinal la que presentó mayor número de especies (17 especies) y la que tuvo más reportes de uso (125 reportes). La Leguminosa con mayor Importancia Cultural es Senna versicolor, lo que demuestra que es la especie más arraigada al conocimiento tradicional de los pobladores locales.

What follows is an ethnobotanical study of wild medicinal Legumes from a high Andean region of Peru (district of Lircay, province of Angaraes, department of Huancavelica). The methodology was based on 33 semi-structured interviews with key informants, and the Cultural Importance Index was calculated. A total of 12 genera with 17 species were recorded. All of the plants possessed at least one vernacular name and in addition to their medicinal function had other uses. Two species are traded in the Lircay: Desmodium molliculum and Otholobium pubescens. Nine categories of use were reported, with the medicinal category registering the highest number of species (17 species) and the greatest number of reported uses (125 reports). The legume of greatest cultural importance is Senna versicolor, which was shown to be the most deeply-rooted plant in the traditional knowledge of the local.

Discussion about range of nationalkey-protected wild medicinal materials / 中草药

On the base of the State Key-protected Wild Medicinal Species List, the State Key-protected Wild Animals List, the State Key-protected Wild Plants List (the first) and the Convention on International Tradein Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix I/II, and of the legal medicinal material standards, the range of nationalkey-protected wild medicinal materials is discussed in this article. It is suggested that 145 kinds of wild medicinal materials (160 kinds of species) should be put into the range of national key-protected wild medicinal materials. In addition, according to the State Key-protected Wild Plants List (the second, draft for discussion) and the legal medicinal material standards, there are about 35 kinds of wild medicinal materials (50 kinds of species) which could be taken into account as part of the range of national key-protected wild medicinal materials. Foregoing conclusion will be benefit to the Amendment of the State Key-protected Wild Medicinal Species List.

Etnobotánica aplicada en Patagonia: la comercialización de malezas de uso comestible y medicinal en una feria urbana de San Carlos de Bariloche (Río Negro, Argentina) / Applied ethnobotany in Patagonia: the commercialisation of weed for food and medicinal use in an urban fair in San Carlos de Bariloche (Río Negro, Argentina)

Edible and medicinal weeds being commercialised for the first time in an urban horticulturalists’ fair were studied with an ethnobotanical approach in Bariloche (Patagonia, Argentina). The effects of three community workshops carried out previously were analysed, paying particular attention to the cosmovision, attitudes and behaviour of the horticulturalists regarding these plants. The methodology also included 25 open interviews, participative observation and a field surveys carried out together with the informants. A total richness of 29 species of edible and medicinal use was registered, the majority being of European origin. Before the workshops, the ideas and appreciation of the use of wild plants as food were generally negative, being associated with poverty. In contrast, their medicinal uses were more readily accepted. Following the workshops, however, attitudes and behaviour reflected a more positive general assessment, leading to their commercialisation and a marked tendency towards innovation in knowledge that could be combined with the participants’ traditional knowledge. The importance of this kind of applied ethnobotany project should be noted, and its contribution to the development of local communities.

Desde una aproximación etnobotánica, se estudiaron las malezas comestibles y medicinales comercializadas por primera vez en una feria urbana de horticultores de Bariloche (Patagonia, Argentina), analizando los alcances de tres talleres comunitarios llevados a cabo previamente, y teniendo particular interés en las concepciones, actitudes y comportamientos acerca de dichas plantas entre los horticultores. La metodología incluyó también 25 entrevistas libres, observación participante y relevamientos a campo junto a informantes. Se registró una riqueza de total de 29 especies de uso medicinal y comestible, la mayoría de origen europeo. Antes de los talleres, las concepciones y valoraciones acerca de la utilización de las malezas como alimento eran en general negativas, asociándolas con la pobreza. En cambio, sus usos medicinales fueron mejor aceptados. Sin embargo, luego de los talleres, las actitudes y los comportamientos reflejaron valoraciones generales más positivas resultando en la comercialización de las mismas y una marcada tendencia hacia la innovación de saberes que podían hibridizarse con los saberes tradicionales de las personas. Se rescata la importancia de este tipo de proyectos de etnobotánica aplicada y su aporte al desarrollo de las comunidades locales.