Knowledge, use, and disuse of unconventional food plants

Abstract

BackgroundPeople’s diets are usually restricted to a small number of plant species, even in regions with great diversity. We investigated the knowledge of residents in Ribeirão da Ilha, a district of Florianópolis (Santa Catarina, Brazil), about unconventional food plants (UFP). We report the UFP of the region, the parts used, the methods of processing, and the reasons for reduced use or even lack of use.MethodsFrom June 2014 to January 2015, we interviewed 26 long-established residents and made free listings of plant resources in the region. We also did three guided tours, and 24 residents (among the 26) checked pictures of the mentioned plants in order to identify them.ResultsWe identified 63 species distributed in 25 botanical families. Half of the species were mentioned only by one informant. The fruit was the most frequently used part (80% of citations), consumed mainly without processing. Among those species, 27% were used exclusively in the past. The residents attributed non-use to the difficulty in locating the plants and loss of interest in the resource.ConclusionUrbanization and environmental restrictions contribute to the difficulty of access to UFP. Encouraging residents to continue using UFP is necessary to perpetuate this threatened knowledge, promote a more diversified and healthier diet, stimulate a greater interaction among people and nature, and promote on farm conservation of edible plants.

Substrates and Temperatures in the Germination of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Seeds

“…In this context, studies indicate that the use of Unconventional Food Plants (UFPs) are part of the culture, identity and agricultural practices in several regions of the world. These are represented by about 63 plant species distributed in 25 botanical families (Leal, Alves, & Hanazaki, 2018;Barreira et al, 2015).…”

Ethnobotanical knowledge on non-conventional food and medicinal plants in Rio Cajari Extractivist Reserve, Amazon, Brazil

“…Regarding the non-conventionality of food vegetable species, it is observed that in regions with more technified agriculture, some PANC species are already duly improved genetically and established in commercial cultivation systems, as well Anacardium occidentale, Mangifera indica, Cocos nucifera, Aloe vera, Ruta graveolens, Citrus sinensis, among others. However, authors like Kinupp and Lorenzi; Leal and collaborators emphasize that the condition of non-conventionality is established by the relationship between the plant species and the populations that use it, and also by the technical conditions (cultivation and genetic improvement) in which the species is found [12,14]. These conditions corroborate what is observed in ethnobotanical studies, which express above all, the relationship and importance of these species for the food security strategies of families residing in regions where these species are the only food resource [14].…”

“…They are species that, in many cases, spread spontaneously, have not undergone the process of agricultural techni cation and genetic improvement, as in the case of other agricultural cultures, however they have a broad relationship with the food security of many families that consume them daily [13]. These species have one or more parts that are used as human food and can be consumed directly, or providing oils, spices and condiments used in cooking [14]. While medicinal plants are plant species distributed in the environment and have metabolites in their structure, with chemical properties capable of combating and preventing the action of pathogens (fungi, bacteria, protozoa, viruses) harmful to the human organism [15].…”

Drivers of Management of Spider Plant (Gynandropsis gynandra) Across Different Socio-linguistic Groups in Benin and Togo

“…These groups have access to land, but external factors including farmers' training on adequate cultivation practices and leverage activities should also be taken into account to support their efforts. Strategies for integration of wild edible plants in the market should take into account the issues of production, storage and processing, organization of wild edible plants supply chains, and negative perceptions of their consumption, often associated with poverty and low social status (Leal et al 2018). The promotion of Moringa oleifera in several African countries is an example of successful diffusion of innovation consistent with existing social and cultural practices (Thurber and Fahey 2009).…”

“…New trends in nutrition and the rising popularity of functional foods led to a regain of interest for these species and documentation of their utilization (Łuczaj et al 2012;Romojaro et al 2013). Some studies reported a decrease in the knowledge and consumption of wild edible plants associated with modernization of communities' lifestyles (Menendez-Baceta et al 2017) and urbanization (Leal et al 2018;Reyes-García et al 2005). Among the Ati Negrito community in the Philippines, knowledge and use of wild edible plants was positively correlated with age, past experience of hunger, and household size but negatively affected by education and access to media and social services (Ong and Kim 2017).…”