Content of Nutrient and Antinutrient in Edible Flowers of Wild Plants in Mexico |
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Authors: | Angela Sotelo Semeí López-García Francisco Basurto-Peña |
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Institution: | (1) Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad Universitaria, México, D.F., 04510, Mexico;(2) Instituto de Biología, Jardín Botánico, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México, D.F., 04510, Mexico |
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Abstract: | Nutrient and antinutritional/toxic factors present in some edible flowers consumed in Mexico were determined. The edible flowers
were: Agave salmiana, Aloe vera, Arbutus xalapensis, Cucurbita pepo (cultivated), Erythrina americana, Erythrina caribaea, Euphorbia radians benth and Yucca filifera. The nutrient content in the flowers studied is similar to that of the edible leaves and flowers studied mainly in Africa.
The moisture content of the flowers varied from 860 to 932 g kg−1. Crude protein (CP) was between 113 to 275 g kg−1 DM, crude fiber, 104 to 177 g kg−1 DM and the nitrogen free extract, between 425 to 667 g kg−1 DM. The highest chemical score (CS) was found in E. americana and A. salmiana; in five samples the limiting amino acid was lysine, and in three of them it was tryptophan. Trypsin inhibitors and hemaglutinnins
had a very low concentration. Alkaloids were present in both the Erythrina species and the saponins in A. salmiana and Y. filifera. Cyanogenic glucosides were not found in the studied flowers. The traditional process of preparing these specific flowers
before consumption is by cooking them and discarding the broth; in this way the toxic substances are diminished or eliminated.
These edible flowers from wild plants consumed in local areas of the country play an important role in the diet of the people
at least during the short time of the season where they are blooming. |
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Keywords: | Edible flowers Nutrients Antinutritional factors Alkaloids Mexican wild plants |
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