Nutritional Interest of <i>Geoffroea decorticans</i> “<i>Chañar</i>”: A Native Species from the Province of Mendoza, Argentina
The “chañar” (<i>Geoffroea decorticans</i>) is a tree native to the drylands of South America, historically valued for its nutritional, medicinal, and energy-providing properties. The significance of this species lies in its adaptation to conditions of water and salt stress, as well as i...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-10-01
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| Series: | Biology and Life Sciences Forum |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9976/37/1/2 |
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| Summary: | The “chañar” (<i>Geoffroea decorticans</i>) is a tree native to the drylands of South America, historically valued for its nutritional, medicinal, and energy-providing properties. The significance of this species lies in its adaptation to conditions of water and salt stress, as well as its tolerance to wide thermal fluctuations, making it a candidate for utilization in climate change adaptation strategies. This study aimed to quantify the nutritional and mineral contributions of <i>G. decorticans</i> fruits from the province of Mendoza, Argentina. Representative specimens were selected, and the fruits were manually harvested for an analysis. The moisture and energy contents were determined using official analytical techniques. The evaluation of the nutritional components was conducted on a dry weight basis, including the total mineral, protein, fat, and total carbohydrate contents. In the mineral fraction test, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium were quantified. The results revealed an adequate protein content (5.27 ± 0.06%) and elevated levels of crude fiber (19.27 ± 0.46%) and total carbohydrates (85.53 ± 0.98%). A high fiber content contributes to satiety, and its consumption could significantly enhance the population’s dietary reference intake. Although the mineral profile appears satisfactory, further investigation is required to clarify the factors affecting the bioavailability of each element. Even though there are existing studies on the variation of nutritional properties across different geographic regions, no local studies were identified. This research provides valuable data for the revaluation of ancestral species with nutritional significance, especially considering the growing trend towards the use of native plants in gastronomy. |
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| ISSN: | 2673-9976 |