RT info:eu-repo/semantics/conferencePaper
T1 Biodiverse Neltuma spp. pod flours from the Paraguayan Chaco as ancestral sources of mineral
A1 Villalba Salas, Rocío Andrea
A1 Escobar Jara, Adrián Marcelo
A1 Coronel Méndez, Eva Eugenia Soledad
A1 Caballero Soto, Silvia Beatriz
A1 Piris Jara, Patricia Adelaida
A1 Mereles Ceuppens, Laura Graciela
A2 Universidad Nacional de Asunción. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas
AB One of the main uses of carob pods ‘algarroba’ (Neltuma spp.) is flour for direct human consumption in indigenous and rural populations of the Gran Chaco. The flour contains antioxidant compounds such as anthocyanins, flavonoids and alkaloids, the concentrations of which can vary according to environmental and genetic factors of the species. This ancestral food is an excellent nutritional alternative as a gluten-free ingredient with antioxidant potential for various culinary preparations. Minerals have essential functions in the human body, so a balanced diet is key to ensuring adequate intake. The composition of carob beans from the Paraguayan Chaco has been little explored in terms of their mineral nutrient content. The aim of this study was to determine the Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn content of carob meal from different species of Neltuma spp. From the Paraguayan Chaco. The mineral elements were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry using official AOAC (2000) methods. Of the samples analysed, N. ruscifolia carob flour had the highest content of Zn (2.2 ± 0.8 mg/100 g), Mn (1.6 ± 0.1 mg/100 g) and Cu (1.5 ± 0.4 mg/100 g). N. nigra and N. alba flour showed higher Fe contents (4 ± 2 and 3 ± 2 mg/100 g, respectively). Consumption of 100 g of P. ruscifolia and P. nigra meal would cover up to 100% of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for Cu and 55–72% of the RDI for Mn. This implies that carob-based foods from Paraguayan Chaco species could have a protective role against oxidative stress if incorporated as functional foods, as well as representing a natural and bioavailable source of antioxidant minerals, which is especially valuable in diets of vulnerable populations with deficiencies or increased requirements, such as in pregnancy, ageing, or chronic diseases.
PB Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
SN 2673-9976
YR 2025
FD 2025-12-08
LK http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14066/4869
UL http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14066/4869
LA eng
NO Villalba, R., Escobar, A., Coronel, E., Caballero, S., Piris, P., & Mereles, L. (2025). Biodiverse Neltuma spp. Pod Flours from the Paraguayan Chaco as Ancestral Sources of Mineral. Biology and Life Sciences Forum, 50(1), 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/blsf2025050013
NO Correspondence: lauramereles@qui.una.py.
NO Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología
DS MINDS@UW
RD 30-oct-2026