RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article
T1 Development of a highly nutritious vegetable beverage based on kurugua (Sicana odorifera) and chia oil (Salvia hispanica)
A1 Coronel Méndez, Eva Eugenia Soledad
A1 Martínez, Marcela Lilian
A1 Calandri, Edgardo Luis
A1 Villalba Salas, Rocío Andrea
A1 Correa Quevedo, María Laura
A1 Caballero Soto, Silvia Beatriz
A1 Ortiz, Alexis
A1 Bodoira, Romina
A1 Mereles Ceuppens, Laura Graciela
AB Concerns over malnutrition, synthetic additives and post-harvest waste highlight the need for innovation in food technology, turning towards underutilized crops. Plant-based beverages offer sustainable dietary alternatives and the increasing demand for such products makes the exploration of native crops particularly relevant. This study focuses on the development of a beverage derived from the native South American fruit kurugua (Sicana odorifera), combined with chia oil (Salvia hispanica L.) and stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) as a natural sweetener, aiming to provide a nutritious, environmentally friendly option with appealing sensory attributes. The beverage was formulated using whole kurugua fruit flour (WKF) and chia oil (CO). Comprehensive analyses of the physicochemical properties, centesimal composition, caloric value, minerals, amino acid profile, and fatty acid content revealed that the beverage is rich in carbohydrates (2.16 ± 0.11 g/100 mL), dietary fiber (1.89 ± 0.04 g/100 mL), zinc (2.53 ± 0.16 mg/100 mL), polyunsaturated fatty acids (2.39 g/100 mL), AA (Glu + Gln, 248 g AA/g of WKF and WKCOB-L protein and 168 mg AA/ g of WKCOB protein/100 mL) and exhibits strong antioxidant activity. This is the first report on a product enriched with essential fatty acids with totally natural ingredients based on kurugua and chia oil, which has potential in healthy and vegan nutrition. This formulation supports the sustainable use and conservation of kurugua, offering a high-nutrient alternative for diets.
PB Springer Nature
SN 0921-9668
YR 2025
FD 2025-01-28
LK http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14066/4833
UL http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14066/4833
LA eng
NO Coronel, E., Martínez, M., Calandri, E., Villalba, R., Correa, L., Caballero, S., Ortiz, A., Bodoira, R., & Mereles, L. (2026). Development of a Highly Nutritious Vegetable Beverage Based on Kurugua (Sicana odorifera) and Chia Oil (Salvia hispanica). Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 80, 52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-025-01301-2
NO Corresponding author: Correspondence to Laura Mereles. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Dirección de Investigaciones, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, P.O. 1055, San Lorenzo, Paraguay. lauramereles@qui.una.py.
NO Part of a collection: Latin American Crops and Human Nutrition.
NO Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología
DS MINDS@UW
RD 22-sep-2026