Assessing the Nutritional Value of Root and Tuber Crops from Bolivia and Peru

Abstract

All over the world, there are species which may be considered as neglected or underutilized despite their nutritious properties. At present, such crops contribute to food security in isolated areas by providing energy and nutrients in a diversified diet. Such genetic heritage—improved by ancient cultures—is under threat of losing biodiversity as well as the traditional knowledge associated with their cultivation and usage. Among these species, the Andean root and tuber crops (ARTCs) constitute a valuable resource which should be preserved and popularized because of their food and functional properties. We studied three ARTC species (mashua, arracacha, and yacon) to provide data on their composition, essential for increasing their use globally. We compared their nutritional values with the values of more widely used crops. Important differences in nutrient composition among ARTC landraces were found. Mineral nutrients showed significant differences among species. Considerable variations in the contents of prebiotics like fructooligosaccharides or functional elements (antioxidants and glucosinolates) were found among species and intraspecific samples. Certainly, these species are important assets to complement human nutrition and to secure supply of functional elements for healthy diets.

Phenolic compounds and in vitro antioxidant activity of six accessions of mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum R. & P.) from Puno Region, Peru

“…This tuber is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the Andean region with a high nutraceutical potential, which grows between 2,800 and 4,000 masl. Its spread and distribution includes Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina and Bolivia (Roca et al, 2007;Valle-Parra et al, 2018;Choquechambi et al, 2019;Apaza et al, 2020). In the Andean region, Peru and Bolivia represent the largest planting areas, which is generally grown in association with other tubers such as oca (Oxalis tuberosa), ulluco (Ullucus tuberosus) and potato (Solanum tuberosum) (Manrique et al, 2014).…”

Characterization and Technological Potential of Underutilized Ancestral Andean Crop Flours from Ecuador

“…Achira flour obtained the highest values, almost similar to those reported by Andrade-Mahecha, et al [7] who documented 7.48% in achira flour from Conchal, Brazil, (591 masl). The high ash value in achira is possibly due to the presence of minerals such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and iron (2.85% ash) [36], since flours from Andean crops are rich in mineral contents [37]. A high ash content was also found in taro flour from Cuba (5.65%) [13].…”

Exploring the Potential of Andean Crops for the Production of Gluten-Free Muffins

“…Among the ancestral Andean underutilized crops (in Quechua aboriginal names) are camote (Ipomea Batatas), oca (Oxalis tuberosa), achira (Canna indica) and mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum). Despite their low consumption, these crops could be of interest because of their nutritional composition (starches, proteins, essential fatty acids), functional properties (for example, as stabilizers) and absence of gluten [23,24]. Likewise, anthocyanins, qualified as anticancer or antiprostatic agents, have been found in oca and camote, and anaphrodisiac properties have been attributed to the isothiocyanates in mashua [23,25].…”

“…Despite their low consumption, these crops could be of interest because of their nutritional composition (starches, proteins, essential fatty acids), functional properties (for example, as stabilizers) and absence of gluten [23,24]. Likewise, anthocyanins, qualified as anticancer or antiprostatic agents, have been found in oca and camote, and anaphrodisiac properties have been attributed to the isothiocyanates in mashua [23,25]. Furthermore, a natural sweetening effect is observed in oca and mashua when they are exposed to sunlight (caused by the conversion of starches into sugars), that would allow obtaining sweet products with a reduced load of added sucrose and even replacing it completely [26].…”