Importancia nutricional y actividad biológica de los compuestos bioactivos de quelites consumidos en México

Abstract

Este trabajo fue recibido el 07 de julio de 2018. Aceptado con modificaciones: 03 de enero de 2019.Aceptado para ser publicado: 15 de abril de 2019.RESUMEN 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. ABSTRACTOnly 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 Importancia nutricional y actividad biológica de los compuestos bioactivos de quelites consumidos en México

Study of Edible Plants: Effects of Boiling on Nutritional, Antioxidant, and Physicochemical Properties

“…The traditional Mexican diet may be of great interest because it includes the highest number of endemic plants. Between 20% and 30% of plant species in Mexico contribute to the basic diet of low-income populations [1,2]. Chenopodium spp., Suaeda torreyana, Portulaca oleracea, and Porophyllum spp.…”

Effect of a Supplementation with Two Quelites on Urinary Excretion of Arsenic in Adolescents Exposed to Water Contaminated with the Metalloid in a Community in the State of Guanajuato, Mexico

“…On the other hand, according to Hervert-Hernández et al [55], the inclusion of fruits, vegetables, even roots, stems, and leaves contributes to high consumption of antioxidants, and therefore improves to the diet quality. However, nowadays the importance of consuming these potential sources of phytochemicals such as quelites has been forgotten, which could be used as alternative therapies to reduce the effects of various pathophysiological conditions, including As toxicity [21]. Some studies on populations exposed to As have reported that the consumption of natural supplements or foods rich in bioactive compounds improve the processes of methylation and increase the levels of excretion of As, promoting an efficient recovery process [28,42,53,56].…”

“…On the other hand, other nutrients and compounds have been reported as beneficial, such as dietary fiber, carotenoids, and organic acids present in parts of plants and vegetables which reduce the toxic effects of heavy metals, including As [21,28,42]. Moreover, another study showed that low diets in green leafy vegetables and micronutrients such as calcium, folates, and vitamin C increase the probability of presenting toxic effects characteristic of As [57].…”

“…Mexico has a wide variety of wild edible plants found in rural areas referred to as quelites [20]; between them, we can differentiate two important species, Chenopodium berlandieri L. and Portulaca oleraceae L., which naturally grow in abundance in mountains, flat fields, or near corn or bean crops of Mexican territory [21]. The leaves and stems of these species have a high nutritional contribution (dietary fiber, proteins, minerals) and bioactive compounds (carotenoids, chlorophyll, phenolic acids, and flavonoids) [22], as well as a high antioxidant capacity and provide biological effects of interest in human health [21,22]. Recent studies have found excellent results when using plants that belong to the genera of Chenopodium spp., reporting a reduction in MDA and increased activity of antioxidant enzymes in rats induced with toxic agents [23] or decreasing levels of lipid peroxidation in lines of cancer cells [24].…”

Edible Leafy Plants from Mexico as Sources of Antioxidant Compounds, and Their Nutritional, Nutraceutical and Antimicrobial Potential: A Review

“…For example, in Mexico, approximately 2168 different food species, not solely quelites, have been recorded based on ethnobotanical studies of useful plants, but the proximate analysis and protein, amino acid and bioactive compound profiles are available for fewer than 30 species, including those of the genera Amaranthus , Begonia , Chenopodium , Cyclanthera , Erythrina , Sechium , Cucurbita , Xanthosoma , Phaseolus and Phytolacca [ 17 ]. Species with edible stems and leaves stand out in their supply of micronutrients to alleviate nutritional deficiencies, mainly in children and pregnant women, and prevent chronic diseases [ 18 , 19 ]. Guil-Guerrero [ 20 ] noted that, in addition to documenting the nutritional composition of wild plants, their cytotoxic, allergic or poisonous effects should be studied.…”