Peach Palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth.): Ancestral Tropical Staple with Future Potential

Abstract

A pre-Columbian staple, Bactris gasipaes Kunth. is a palm tree domesticated around 4000 years ago, so appreciated that a Spanish chronicler wrote in 1545, “only their wives and children were held in higher regard” by the Mesoamerican natives. The peach palm is an integral part of the foodways and gastronomy of Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, and other tropical American countries; meanwhile, it is almost unknown in the rest of the world, except for hearts of palm. Although abundant, the species faces anthropogenic threats. The purpose of this study is to describe and summarize the physicochemical, nutritional, and bioactive characteristics of the peach palm and its two main alimentary products: hearts of palm and fruits, highlighting the functional and antioxidant potential of the latter, showing both ancestral and modern uses. There is active research on peach palm products and coproducts that aim for better, more sustainable uses of its traditional and recently found properties. The review and presentation of studies on this strategically relevant species can motivate the protection of endangered populations and stimulate new lines of research to advance development in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries, with fair trade, sustainable development goals, and adaptation to climate change in mind.

Understanding the Technical-Scientific Gaps of Underutilized Tropical Species: The Case of Bactris gasipaes Kunth

“…The multipurpose uses of peach palms translate into the literal use of all parts of the plant [ 9 ]. For example, the dried leaves are used as the font of straw to manufacture materials such as baskets, mats, and body adornments; the palm heart is consumed in natura; the inflorescences, dried and macerated, can be used as condiment/flavoring; the wood is used to manufacture instruments, tools (such as knives, arrows, and bows), and as a construction material; and the roots are used as a large-spectrum vermicide, while other medicinal uses are also documented [ 2 , 10 , 74 , 75 ]. Besides its manufacturing application and use as a food source, the peach palm parts are also related to traditional folklore [ 2 , 10 , 75 ].…”

“…Clement et al [ 1 ] discussed the creation of market niches for peach palm fruit by-products in Brazil; however, the engagement of R&D has failed in the popularization of these items in recent decades. Bearing in mind the potential of the fruit and by-products, as well as the expansion of palm heart cultivation, authors have, therefore, classified peach palms as an economically underutilized species [ 1 , 48 , 75 ].…”

“…The increased interest in replacing synthetic fibers in favor of agro-industrial residue exploitation, aiming at cheaper raw materials with diverse applications, encourages the investigation of the peach palm’s potential as a supplier of natural fibers [ 75 , 119 ]. The haustorium residues can be used for crafting agglomerate panels for interior use.…”

Spatiotemporal dynamics of a palm weevils' outbreak and susceptibility of peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) landraces in a germplasm bank in southwestern Colombia

“…The peach palm ( Bactris gasipaes Kunth) is present throughout the Neotropics and, thanks to its multipurpose nature, is a domesticated palm of outstanding socioeconomic importance on the Colombian Pacific coast (de Cássia Spacki et al, 2022; González‐Jaramillo et al, 2022; Ríos‐Reyes et al, 2016). While its distribution may be partly due to human movement and cultivation, it is considered a native species of the region (Galluzzi et al, 2015).…”