Elemental composition and nutritional value of Araucaria angustifolia seeds from subtropical Brazil

Julierme Zimmer Barbosa; Caio Ricardo Dos Santos Domingues; Giovana Clarice Poggere; Antonio Carlos Vargas Motta; André Rodrigues Dos Reis; Milton Ferreira de Moraes; Stephen Arthur Prior

doi:10.1007/s13197-018-03555-y

Elemental composition and nutritional value of Araucaria angustifolia seeds from subtropical Brazil

J Food Sci Technol. 2019 Feb;56(2):1073-1077. doi: 10.1007/s13197-018-03555-y. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Authors

Julierme Zimmer Barbosa¹, Caio Ricardo Dos Santos Domingues², Giovana Clarice Poggere³, Antonio Carlos Vargas Motta², André Rodrigues Dos Reis⁴, Milton Ferreira de Moraes⁵, Stephen Arthur Prior⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Agronomy, Ingá University Center (Uningá), Highway PR-317, 6114 - Industrial Park 200, Maringá, Paraná Brazil.
² 2Department of Soils and Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná Brazil.
³ 3Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Federal University of Technology - Paraná, Medianeira, Paraná Brazil.
⁴ 4Biosystems Engineering, São Paulo State University, Tupã, São Paulo Brazil.
⁵ 5Federal University of Mato Grosso, Campus of Araguaia, Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso Brazil.
⁶ 6USDA-ARS National Soil Dynamics Laboratory, Auburn, AL USA.

Abstract

Consumed by populations in South America, Araucaria angustifolia seeds have received little study regarding elemental composition and nutritional value. Thirty-five seed sites from subtropical Brazil were sampled and seed concentrations of C, N, K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Mo, Ni, Co, Cr, Ba, and Cd were determined. The highest concentration of N was observed in samples from regions with Cfa climate (humid subtropical, oceanic climate, without dry season with hot summer) and igneous rock, which was superior to regions with Cfb climate (humid subtropical, oceanic climate, without dry season with temperate summer) and metamorphic rock. Seeds can be a source of nutrients: K (11.8 g kg^-1), P (4.1 g kg^-1), Mn (9.1 mg kg^-1), Cu (7.2 mg kg^-1), Mo (0.93 mg kg^-1), and Cr (0.65 mg kg^-1). Values for Ba (0.93 mg kg^-1) and Cd (0.19 mg kg^-1) indicated no risk to human health. This study expands knowledge regarding the elemental composition of A. angustifolia. Results indicate that these seeds have nutritional value, and their consumption can be a good strategy to improve overall human nutrition in this region of South America.

Keywords: Conifers; Environmental variation; Recommended dietary allowances; Trace elements.