Anti-Inflammatory Activity and Acute Toxicity Of Pereskia aculeata, In Zophobas morio Larvae.

Pereskia aculeata has been widely investigated due to its anti-inflammatory potential. Among the metabolites found in this species are the phytosterols beta-sitosterol (ß-SIT) and stigmasterol (STIG). The objective of the study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and toxicity activities of the hexane partition of P. aculeata (PHEX), as well as ß-SIT and STIG. PHEX was prepared and the phytosterols were quantified. In terms of toxicity against L929 fibroblast cells, PHEX showed toxicity up to 200 µg/mL; STIG and ß-SIT showed toxicity up to 25 µg/mL. PHEX inhibited 66 % of nitric oxide radicals, while STIG and ß-SIT inhibited 33.73 % and 34.94 %, respectively. In an anti-inflammatory test against Zophobas morio larvae, all samples significantly reduced hemocyte levels. Additionally, the LD50 values were calculated: 229.6 mg/kg for PHEX, 101.5 mg/kg for STIG, and 103.8 mg/kg for ß-SIT. In conclusion, the study indicates that the phytosterols present in PHEX may contribute to its anti-inflammatory activity.

Pereskia aculeata Miller as a Novel Food Source: A Review.

Pereskia aculeata Miller is an edible plant species belonging to the Cactaceae family. It has the potential to be used in the food and pharmaceutical industries due to its nutritional characteristics, bioactive compounds, and mucilage content. Pereskia aculeata Miller is native to the Neotropical region, where it is traditionally employed as food in rural communities, being popularly known as 'ora-pro-nobis' (OPN) or the Barbados gooseberry. The leaves of OPN are distinguished by their nontoxicity and nutritional richness, including, on a dry basis, 23% proteins, 31% carbohydrates, 14% minerals, 8% lipids, and 4% soluble dietary fibers, besides vitamins A, C, and E, and phenolic, carotenoid, and flavonoid compounds. The OPN leaves and fruits also contain mucilage composed of arabinogalactan biopolymer that presents technofunctional properties such as thickener, gelling, and emulsifier agent. Moreover, OPN is generally used for pharmacological purposes in Brazilian folk medicine, which has been attributed to its bioactive molecules with metabolic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Therefore, in the face of the growing research and industrial interests in OPN as a novel food source, the present work reviews its botanical, nutritional, bioactive, and technofunctional properties, which are relevant for the development of healthy and innovative food products and ingredients.

How cutting types and shading levels influence the vegetative propagation of Pereskia aculeata? / Como o tipo de estaca e níveis de sombreamento influenciam a propagação vegetativa de Pereskia aculeata?

Information from Pereskia aculeata Miller (Cactaceae) responses regarding the portion of the stem cuttings branch parental plants and the shading level need to be investigated in order to establish techniques for their producing seedlings. We aimed was to evaluate the effect of cutting types and shading levels in the production of P. aculeata seedlings. We studied three cutting types, collected from different portions of the stem cuttings branch: herbaceous, semi-hardwood, and hardwood, which were arranged under two shading levels: 0% (full sun) or 50% (shade). The selected parent plants had an adequate and vigorous phytosanitary aspect. After 90 days after the cuttings, the seedlings were evaluated regarding survival, growth indicators, biomass production and partitioning, and allometric indices. Seedlings from hardwood cuttings and produced under 0% shading showed higher survival. The largest number of sprouts occurred in seedlings of semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings. The highest leaf area values ​​occurred in seedlings of semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings under 0% shading. Seedlings from hardwood cuttings had higher biomass allocation in the roots under 50% shading. Seedlings of herbaceous and semi-hardwood portion allocated values ≥ 70% of the biomass in the aerial part. Seedlings of species are able to adjust to different shading levels as a plasticity mechanism. For the production of P. aculeata seedlings, the hardwood portion of the stem cuttings branch under full sun cultivation is recommended. In addition, semi-hardwood cuttings grown under 50% shading can also be used for seedlings production.

Informações das respostas da Pereskia aculeata Miller. (Cactaceae) quanto à porção da estaca do ramo da planta matriz e o nível de sombreamento precisam ser investigadas com o intuito de estabelecer protocolos para sua produção de mudas. Objetivamos avaliar o efeito do tipo de estaca e níveis de sombreamento na produção de mudas de P. aculeata. Estudamos três tipos de estacas baseados na porção de coleta do ramo: herbácea, semi-lenhosa e lenhosa, acondicionadas sob dois níveis de sombreamento: 0% (pleno sol) ou 50% (sombra). As plantas matrizes selecionadas tiveram aspecto fitossanitário adequado e eram vigorosas. Após 90 dias da estaquia, as mudas foram avaliadas quanto a sobrevivência, indicadores de crescimento, produção e particionamento de biomassa e índices alométricos. Mudas provenientes de estacas lenhosas e produzidas sob 0% de sombreamento tiveram maior sobrevivência. Os maiores números de brotos ocorreram nas mudas de estacas da porção semi-lenhosas e lenhosa. As maiores áreas foliares e radiculares ocorreram nas mudas de estacas semi-lenhosas e lenhosas sob 0% de sombreamento. Mudas provenientes de estacas da porção lenhosa tiveram maior alocação de biomassa nas raízes sob 50% de sombreamento. Mudas de estacas da porção herbáceas e semilenhosas alocaram valores ≥ 70% de biomassa da parte aérea. As mudas da espécie são capazes de se ajustar aos diferentes níveis de sombreamento como mecanismo de plasticidade. Para a produção de mudas de P. aculeata¸ recomenda-se utilizar a porção lenhosa do ramo do caule sob pleno sol. Além disso, estacas semi-lenhosas crescidas sob 50% de sombreamento podem ser utilizadas para a produção de mudas.

Plantas alimentícias não convencionais: revisão / Non-conventional food plants: review / Plantas alimenticias no convencionales: revisión

As plantas alimentícias não convencionais (PANCs) são hortaliças nativas, normalmente encontradas em calçadas ou terrenos abandonados, sempre fizeram parte do cardápio dos antepassados. No entanto, com a modernização da agricultura e do êxodo rural, seu consumo foi esquecido de ser repassado para as gerações futuras. O objetivo deste estudo consistiu em realizar um levantamento bibliográfico sobre as plantas alimentícias não convencionais (PANCs), sua importância na alimentação e farmacológica. A metodologia consistiu na realização de levantamento bibliográfico, com as principais plantas utilizadas como alimento pelos antepassados sendo as plantas Pereskia aculeata Miller, Basella alba, Sonchus oleraceus, Stachys byzantina, Taraxacum Officinale, Xanthosoma sagittifolium, Dioscorea bulbifera, Physalis angulata, Acmella oleracea, Tropaeolum majus. Através deste estudo pode-se constatar que estas plantas são úteis, pois além de apresentar valor nutricional e a sua utilização na alimentação, também são utilizadas como como plantas medicinais, devido à presença de compostos ativos responsáveis pela ação biológica.

Unconventional food plants (PANCs) are native vegetables, usually found on sidewalks or abandoned land, have always been part of the ancestors' menu. Nonetheless, with the modernization of agriculture and the rural exodus, its consumption was forgotten to be passed on to future generations. The objective of this study was to carry out a bibliographic survey on unconventional food plants (PANCs), their importance in food and pharmacology. The methodology consisted of carrying out a bibliographic survey, with the main plants used as food by the ancestors being the plants Pereskia aculeata Miller, Basella alba, Sonchus oleraceus, Stachys byzantina, Taraxacum Officinale, Xanthosoma sagittifolium, Dioscorea bulbifera, Physalis angulata, Acmella oleracea, Tropaeolum majus. Through this study it can be seen that these plants are useful, because in addition to presenting nutritional value and their use in food, they are also used as medicinal plants, due to the presence of active compounds responsible for biological action.

Las plantas alimenticias no convencionales (PANC, por sus siglas en inglés) son vegetales nativos, que generalmente se encuentran en las aceras o en terrenos abandonados, y siempre han sido parte del menú de los antepasados. Sin embargo, con la modernización de la agricultura y el éxodo rural, su consumo quedó en el olvido para pasar a las generaciones futuras. El objetivo de este estudio fue realizar un levantamiento bibliográfico sobre las plantas alimenticias no convencionales (PANCs), su importancia en la alimentación y farmacología. La metodología consistió en realizar un levantamiento bibliográfico, siendo las principales plantas utilizadas como alimento por los ancestros las plantas Pereskia aculeata Miller, Basella alba, Sonchus oleraceus, Stachys byzantina, Taraxacum Officinale, Xanthosoma sagittifolium, Dioscorea bulbifera, Physalis angulata, Acmella oleracea , Tropaeolum mayor. A través de este estudio se puede apreciar que estas plantas son útiles, pues además de presentar valor nutritivo y su uso en la alimentación, también son utilizadas como plantas medicinales, debido a la presencia de compuestos activos responsables de la acción biológica.

Influence of Harvest Time on the Chemical Profile of Pereskia aculeate Mill. Using Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry.

This study evaluated the physicochemical characteristics and the production of bioactive compounds of Pereskia aculeata Mill. at different harvest times. Here, we performed a qualitative evaluation of the chemical profile by paper spray mass spectrometry (PSMS), the phenolic acid and flavonoid profile by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), antioxidant activity, total carotenoids, total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, total anthocyanins, color characteristics, total soluble solids (TSS), total solids (TS), pH, and total titratable acidity (TTA). The chemical profile was not affected, with the exception of 4,5-dimethyl-2,6-octadiene and azelaic acid, which was only identified in the leaves harvested during the winter. The content of four phenolic acids and three flavonoids were analyzed; out of these, no significant amounts of ellagic acid and quercetin were detected. There was no difference in production of bioactive compounds between seasons, reflecting the antioxidant activity, which also did not differ. Brightness, chroma, and leaf pH were the only physicochemical characteristics that did not vary between seasons.

Pereskia aculeata leaves: properties and potentialities for the development of new products.

Pereskia aculeata Mill., known as Ora-Pro-Nobis or Barbados gooseberry, arouse the interest of food and pharmaceutical industries due to its bioactive compounds and mucilage. We conducted a peer-reviewed survey using Web of Science, Scopus, Scielo, Science Direct, and Scifinder platforms, as well as patent bases for new products. We selected articles which highlighted composition of leaves and applications in the development of new products. Mucilage shows great potential in the development of complexes or microparticles to transport active molecules. Reports on anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties of P. aculeata leaves open a research field to obtain pharmaceutical products. Emulsifying properties of mucilage have been explored in food processing. Another potential use is the development of films for functional and/or edible packaging. The polysaccharide chain, the main mucilage constituent, can interact with other biopolymers to be explored in colloidal chemistry for the production of biomaterials in the next years.

Effect of Pereskia aculeata Mill. in vitro and in overweight humans: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of ora-pro-nobis (Pereskia aculeata Mill.) flour on the adhesion of probiotics to intestinal epithelial cells and to evaluate the effect of a product based on this flour on gastrointestinal symptoms, weight, body fat, glycemia, and lipid profile in overweight men. METHODS: Microbiological counts (probiotic count, survival after in vitro gastrointestinal resistance, Caco-2 cell adhesion) were analyzed. A randomized, cross-over intervention was performed. Intestinal microbiota was indirectly assessed on the basis of consistency, color of feces, and gastrointestinal symptoms. RESULTS: P. aculeata did not affect Lactobacillus casei adhesion to Caco-2 cells. Ora-pro-nobis flour improved gastrointestinal symptoms and increased satiety. CONCLUSION: The consumption of ora-pro-nobis flour improved intestinal health. In addition, it maintained the high adherence of L. casei to intestinal cells as well as patient anthropometric and biochemical parameters. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Pereskia aculeata Mill. is well known in folk medicine and has several nutrients; however, there are few studies on this plant. This is the first study to analyze the influence of P. aculeata on bacterial adherence and the first cross-over clinical trial to evaluate the beneficial potential of ora-pro-nobis flour in overweight men. Thus, this study will contribute to the promotion of ora-pro-nobis as a functional ingredient and will arouse the interest of industries to develop related healthy foods. In addition, it is an effective dietary strategy to improve the gastrointestinal health of men.

Influence of different parts of cuttings and substrates on vegetative propagation of pereskia aculeata miller / Influência de diferentes partes de estacas e substratos na propagação vegetativa de Pereskia aculeata miller

Pereskia aculeta Miller, commonly know as ora-pro-nóbis in some regions of Brazil, is a plant stands out due to its high protein content, presenting great potential for use. There is na increasing interest in the use of ora-pro-nóbis as raw material by the food industry like as concentrate form (deydrated and ground) or for direct consumption as leafy vegeTables by the population. So, is important to know the best way to propagate this specie. This study was carried out to evaluate the influence of cutting position from stem and the substrate type under growth and development of ora-pro-nóbis during seedlings production. For incresing the seedlings production to supply the demand and the lack scientific studies on this theme, this study is important to development research to vegetative propagation and substrate to produce ora-pro-nóbis seedlings. For vegetative propagation three types of cutting were used: apical, median and from the basal part of the stem. The cuttings were planted in four types of substrate: S1 = soil; S2 = soil + clean sand (1:1); S3 = soil + clean sand + cattle manure (2:1:1) and S4 = Bioplant® commercial substrate. Sixty days after the experiment was set up, the cuttings were examined considering: the Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) index, the number of leaves, the number of shoots, root length, and dry and fresh mass from the root and from the aerial part. The physiological maturation of the stem and the tested substrate type showed differences on the quality of the cutting. The cutting originated from the basal and medium part harvested from the branch of the year and the substrate soil + sand + manure allowed the best growth and development of the ora-pro-nóbis seedlings

Pereskia aculeta Miller, comumente chamada de ora-pro-nóbis em algumas regiões do Brasil, é uma planta que se destaca pelo seu alto teor de proteínas, com grande potencial de uso. Observa-se o crescente interesse pelo uso de ora-pro-nóbis como matéria-prima pela indústria alimentícia na forma de concentrado (desidratado e moído), e da popularização do consumo direto como hortaliça folhosa pela população, diante disto é importante conhecer a melhor forma de propagação da espécie. Objetivou-se com este estudo analisar a influência da posição da estaca retirada do ramo, e o tipo de substrato, sobre o crescimento e desenvolvimento de ora-pro-nóbis durante a fase de produção de mudas. Com necessidade de um aumento deprodução de mudas para atender a demanda, e na ausência de trabalhos científicos sobre este assunto, econsiderando a necessidade de informações na literatura, torna-se necessário o desenvolvimento de pesquisas direcionadas para a propagação vegetativa e substrato para mudas de ora-pro-nóbis. Para a propagação vegetativa foram utilizadas três tipos de estacas: apicais, medianas e da parte basal do ramo. O plantio das estacas foi realizado em quatro tipos de substratos: S1= solo; S2= solo+areia lavada (1:1); S3= solo+areia lavada+esterco bovino curtido (2:1:1) e S4= substrato comercial Bioplant®. Após 60 dias a instalação do experimento, as mudas foram analisadas quanto ao: índice Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD), número de folhas, número de brotações, comprimento de raiz e massa da matéria fresca e seca da parte aérea e raiz. A maturação fisiológica do ramo e o tipo de substrato testado evidenciaram diferenças na qualidade de mudas de ora-pro-nóbis. A estaca oriunda da parte basal e mediana do ramo cultivada em solo+areia+esterco proporcionou melhor qualidade nas mudas de ora-pro-nóbis

Agronomic Cultivation, Chemical Composition, Functional Activities and Applications of Pereskia Species - A Mini Review.

BACKGROUND: The exploration of the plant biodiversity as a natural source to obtain sustainable food products and new bioactive pharmaceutical compounds has been growing significantly due to their abundance, safety and economy. Natural pharmaceutical and edible compounds present some advantages when compared to synthetic ones, such as being chemically inert and widely available. In this sense, plants of the genus Pereskia belonging to the Cactaceae family, have been studied. It is an unconventional wild edible plant that contains a large amount of protein and minerals. Studies have demonstrated their biological activities and potential application in different areas such as pharmaceutical, medicinal and food. OBJECTIVE: This review is focused on the chemical composition, functional properties, applications on pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and food areas and formulation techniques to enhance the stability and bioavailability of bioactive compounds from the underutilized wild edible plant known as ora-pro-nobis (Pereskia aculeata or Pereskia grandifolia). CONCLUSION: The latest studies involving ora-pro-nobis demonstrated its great potential due to its biological activities, which could stimulate further investigations. The utilization of this plant as a natural source to supplement the diet, or to prepare new food products and pharmaceutical formulations is an attractive approach to explore and fully realize the potential of the rich biodiversity found in Brazil and in other countries.

Wound healing properties and mucilage content of Pereskia aculeata from different substrates

Physiologic growth parameters Wound healing Pereskia aculeata Mill., Cactaceae, is a cactus with high mucilage production, well-known for its nutritional properties. Folk use consists on skin injuries, and mucilage is probably involved in the wound healing activity. This work studied some aspects of its cultivation, specifically regarding soil (substrate), to correlate the effects of nutritional content to mucilage production and to the wound-healing property. Plants were grown under five different soil treatment (sand, crude soil, sand and soil, sand and cattle manure, soil and cattle manure), and after eight months extracts were prepared by turbo-extraction to obtain a crude hydroethanolic extract. We evaluated the effects of these extracts on swelling index, cytotoxicity, and in vitro wound healing property. The results show that the substrate used in cultivation may interfere with mucilage production, but not with cytotoxicity and wound healing, this shows the safety of its use, despite the soil treatment received along the various biomes where P. aculeata is cultivated. Furthermore, morphological studies demonstrated the beneficial effect of the mucilage-containing extract on the fibroblast cell culture, corroborating its folk use for wound healing.

Atividade antioxidante de extratos de folhas de ora-pro-nóbis (Pereskia aculeata Mill. ) usando métodos espectrofotométricos e voltamétricos in vitro / Antioxidant activity of ora-pro-nobis (Pereskia aculeata Mill. ) leaves extracts using spectrophotometric and voltammetric assays in vitro

Atualmente tem crescido a busca por plantas como fontes naturais de antioxidantes. Plantas com esta propriedade podem ser utilizadas para melhorar a qualidade de alimentos, seja para fins nutritivos ou de conservação, como também para a prevenção de doenças relacionadas ao aparecimento de radicais livres. A Pereskia aculeata Mill. (Ora-pro-nóbis) é uma espécie da família Cactaceae e suas folhas são consumidas por muitas pessoas. Neste contexto, este trabalho estudou o teor de fenóis totais (método Folin-Ciocalteau) e de proantocianidinas (vanilina sulfúrica), correlacionando-os com a atividade antioxidante (radical DPPH, sistema b-caroteno/ácido linoleico e voltametria por pulso diferencial) de extratos em acetona 80%, etanol 70% e água das folhas da espécie P. aculeata Mill., apresentando o extrato em acetona 80% maior teor de fenóis totais e proantocianidinas. Com relação à atividade antioxidante frente ao radical DPPH, o extrato em acetona 80% se apresentou ligeiramente melhor que o em etanol 70%. A técnica de voltametria por pulso diferencial mostrou que o extrato em acetona 80% apresenta constituintes com maior potencial redutor que o extrato em etanol 70%. Os dados obtidos a partir da voltametria corroboram com os resultados obtidos pelo método tradicional de DPPH. Os extratos em etanol 70% e em água apresentaram melhor atividade antioxidante pelo sistema b-caroteno/ácido linoleico, o que sugere a presença de outra classe de compostos que atuam na inibição do b- caroteno. Portanto, as folhas da espécie Pereskia aculeata podem ser consideradas como fonte potencial de compostos antioxidantes.

Currently, the search for plants as natural sources of antioxidants has been growing because they can be used to improve the nutritive or preservation properties of food, as soon as for the prevention of diseases related to free radicals. The Pereskiaaculeata Mill. (Ora-pro-nóbis,) is a specie of Cactaceae family and its leaves are consumed by many people. In this context, this paper studied the total phenols (Folin-Ciocalteu) and proanthocyanidins (vanillin sulfuric) correlating with the antioxidant activity (DPPH, b-carotene/linoleic acid system and differential pulse voltammetry) of extracts of 80% acetone, 70% ethanol and water of Pereskiaaculeata Mill. leaves. The 80% acetone extract showed higher total phenols and proanthocyanidins. Regarding to the antioxidant activity by DPPH radical scavenger, the 80% acetone extract was slightly better than 70% ethanol extract. The differential pulse voltammetry technique displayed that the 80% acetone extract presented constituents with greater reducing potential than the ones presented in 70% ethanol extract, what can corroborate the results obtained. The 70% ethanol and water extracts has shown better antioxidant activity by b-carotene/linoleic acid system, what probably suggests the presence of another compounds classes that are responsible for the inhibition the b-carotene. Therefore, the Pereskiaaculeata Mill. showed that its leaves may be considered as a potential source of antioxidant compounds.

Utilização de cactáceas do gênero Pereskia na alimentação humana em um município de Minas Gerais / Utilization of cacti of the genus Pereskia in the human diet in a municipality of Minas Gerais

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a utilização de cactáceas do gênero Pereskia na alimentação humana. A pesquisa foi realizada nos 1.525 domicílios da cidade de São Gonçalo do Abaeté (MG). Nessa cidade, onde foi aplicado o questionário socioeconômico e quanto ao uso alimentar desta planta, comumente chamada de ora-pro-nóbis, somente 25 domicílios possuíam plantas do gênero Pereskia. Em 22 domicílios, havia a presença da Pereskia grandifolia, em três, havia a de Pereskia aculeata e, em um, havia os dois tipos. A presença de nutrientes na ora-pro-nobis foi citada por 83,33% dos entrevistados, sendo que 33,37% citaram um consumo mensal. A planta foi citada por 66,67% dos entrevistados como importante no tratamento da anemia ferropriva, por 16,67%, como agente terapêutico para o câncer, por 12,50%, para prevenção ou tratamento da osteoporose e, por 8,33%, para o tratamento da constipação intestinal. A classificação da ora-pro-nobis na categoria das hortaliças foi citada por 54,17% dos entrevistados. Concluiu-se que o resgate cultural do consumo desse tipo de planta poderá melhorar a condição nutricional e de renda das pessoas menos favorecidas economicamente, tanto no ambiente urbano quanto rural, de diferentes regiões do Brasil.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of cacti of the genus Pereskia, for human consumption food. The study was conducted in 1.525 households in the city of São Gonçalo do Abaeté (MG). In this city where the socioeconomic questionnaire was applied regarding the dietary use of this plant, commonly referred to as ora-pro-nobis, only 25 of the households possessed plants of the genus Pereskia. In 22 households there was the presence of Pereskia grandifolia, in three households there was Pereskia aculeata, and one had both types. The presence of nutrients in the ora-pro-nobis was cited by 83.33% of respondents, where 33.37% cited monthly consumption. The plant was cited by 66.67% of the respondents as important in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia, by 16.67% as a therapeutic agent for cancer, by 12.50% for prevention or treatment of osteoporosis and 8.33% for the treatment of constipation. ora-pro-nobis was classified as a vegetable by 54.17% of respondents. It was concluded that the cultural revival of consumption of this type of plant may improve nutritional status and income of lower-class families in both urban and rural regions, from different regions of Brazil.

Utilização de cactáceas do gênero Pereskia na alimentação humana em um município de Minas Gerais

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of cacti of the genus Pereskia, for human consumption food. The study was conducted in 1.525 households in the city of São Gonçalo do Abaeté (MG). In this city where the socioeconomic questionnaire was applied regarding the dietary use of this plant, commonly referred to as ora-pro-nobis, only 25 of the households possessed plants of the genus Pereskia. In 22 households there was the presence of Pereskia grandifolia, in three households there was Pereskia aculeata, and one had both types. The presence of nutrients in the ora-pro-nobis was cited by 83.33% of respondents, where 33.37% cited monthly consumption. The plant was cited by 66.67% of the respondents as important in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia, by 16.67% as a therapeutic agent for cancer, by 12.50% for prevention or treatment of osteoporosis and 8.33% for the treatment of constipation. ora-pro-nobis was classified as a vegetable by 54.17% of respondents. It was concluded that the cultural revival of consumption of this type of plant may improve nutritional status and income of lower-class families in both urban and rural regions, from different regions of Brazil.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a utilização de cactáceas do gênero Pereskia na alimentação humana. A pesquisa foi realizada nos 1.525 domicílios da cidade de São Gonçalo do Abaeté (MG). Nessa cidade, onde foi aplicado o questionário socioeconômico e quanto ao uso alimentar desta planta, comumente chamada de ora-pro-nóbis, somente 25 domicílios possuíam plantas do gênero Pereskia. Em 22 domicílios, havia a presença da Pereskia grandifolia, em três, havia a de Pereskia aculeata e, em um, havia os dois tipos. A presença de nutrientes na ora-pro-nobis foi citada por 83,33% dos entrevistados, sendo que 33,37% citaram um consumo mensal. A planta foi citada por 66,67% dos entrevistados como importante no tratamento da anemia ferropriva, por 16,67%, como agente terapêutico para o câncer, por 12,50%, para prevenção ou tratamento da osteoporose e, por 8,33%, para o tratamento da constipação intestinal. A classificação da ora-pro-nobis na categoria das hortaliças foi citada por 54,17% dos entrevistados. Concluiu-se que o resgate cultural do consumo desse tipo de planta poderá melhorar a condição nutricional e de renda das pessoas menos favorecidas economicamente, tanto no ambiente urbano quanto rural, de diferentes regiões do Brasil.

Utilização de cactáceas do gênero Pereskia na alimentação humana em um município de Minas Gerais

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of cacti of the genus Pereskia, for human consumption food. The study was conducted in 1.525 households in the city of São Gonçalo do Abaeté (MG). In this city where the socioeconomic questionnaire was applied regarding the dietary use of this plant, commonly referred to as ora-pro-nobis, only 25 of the households possessed plants of the genus Pereskia. In 22 households there was the presence of Pereskia grandifolia, in three households there was Pereskia aculeata, and one had both types. The presence of nutrients in the ora-pro-nobis was cited by 83.33% of respondents, where 33.37% cited monthly consumption. The plant was cited by 66.67% of the respondents as important in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia, by 16.67% as a therapeutic agent for cancer, by 12.50% for prevention or treatment of osteoporosis and 8.33% for the treatment of constipation. ora-pro-nobis was classified as a vegetable by 54.17% of respondents. It was concluded that the cultural revival of consumption of this type of plant may improve nutritional status and income of lower-class families in both urban and rural regions, from different regions of Brazil.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a utilização de cactáceas do gênero Pereskia na alimentação humana. A pesquisa foi realizada nos 1.525 domicílios da cidade de São Gonçalo do Abaeté (MG). Nessa cidade, onde foi aplicado o questionário socioeconômico e quanto ao uso alimentar desta planta, comumente chamada de ora-pro-nóbis, somente 25 domicílios possuíam plantas do gênero Pereskia. Em 22 domicílios, havia a presença da Pereskia grandifolia, em três, havia a de Pereskia aculeata e, em um, havia os dois tipos. A presença de nutrientes na ora-pro-nobis foi citada por 83,33% dos entrevistados, sendo que 33,37% citaram um consumo mensal. A planta foi citada por 66,67% dos entrevistados como importante no tratamento da anemia ferropriva, por 16,67%, como agente terapêutico para o câncer, por 12,50%, para prevenção ou tratamento da osteoporose e, por 8,33%, para o tratamento da constipação intestinal. A classificação da ora-pro-nobis na categoria das hortaliças foi citada por 54,17% dos entrevistados. Concluiu-se que o resgate cultural do consumo desse tipo de planta poderá melhorar a condição nutricional e de renda das pessoas menos favorecidas economicamente, tanto no ambiente urbano quanto rural, de diferentes regiões do Brasil.