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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #342999
Research Project: Enhancing Production and Ecosystem Services of Horticultural and Agricultural Systems in the Southeastern United States

Location: Soil Dynamics Research

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

Author
item BARBOSA, J - Universidade Federal Do Parana
item DOS SANTOS DOMINGUES, C - Universidade Federal Do Parana
item POGGERE, G - Universidade Federal De Lavras
item MOTTA, A - Universidade Federal Do Parana
item DOS REIS, A - Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)
item DE MORAES, M - Universidade Federal Do Parana
item Prior, Stephen - Steve

Submitted to: Journal of Food Science and Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/18/2018
Publication Date: 2/4/2019
Citation: Barbosa, J.P., Dos Santos Domingues, C.R., Poggere, G.C., Motta, A.C., Dos Reis, A.R., De Moraes, M.F., Prior, S.A. 2019. Elemental composition and nutritional value of Araucaria angustifolia seeds from subtropical Brazil. Journal of Food Science and Technology. 56(2):1073-1077. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-018-03555-y.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-018-03555-y

Interpretive Summary: Consumed by the population of the subtropical region of South America, Araucaria angustifolia seeds have received little study regarding how environmental variations affect their elemental composition. This study evaluated impacts of lithology and climate on elemental composition of A. angustifolia seeds from southern Brazil. The lithology and climate of southern Brazil affected only the N concentration of A. angustifolia seeds. The highest concentration of N was observed in Group I samples (Cfa/igneous rock) which was superior to Group IV (Cfb/metamorphic rock), while Groups II (Cfb/igneous rock) and III (Cfb/sedimentary rock) did not differ from the other groups. Estimating contributions from seed consumption to meet RDA for protein, it was found that differences among groups were the same as for N concentrations. However, this contribution did not exceed 6.8% due to low protein concentration in seeds. The C/N ratio and concentrations of C, K, P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Mo, Ba, Cr, Co, and Cd did not vary with groups and were generally close to those reported for other seeds. Based on the estimated contributions to RDA, Brazilian Pine seeds can be a source of nutrients (mainly K, P, Mn, Cu), and their consumption can be a good strategy to improve overall human health.

Technical Abstract: Consumed by the population of the subtropical region of South America, Araucaria angustifolia seeds have received little study regarding how environmental variations affect their elemental composition. This study evaluated impacts of lithology and climate on elemental composition of A. angustifolia seeds from southern Brazil. Thirty-five seed sites from three states (Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul) were sampled and grouped by lithology and climate (i.e., Köppen classification): I - igneous/Cfa (seven samples); II - igneous/Cfb (eleven samples); III - sedimentary/Cfb (twelve samples); and IV - metamorphic/Cfb (five samples). Seed concentrations of C, N, K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Mo, Ni, Co, Cr, Ba, and Cd were determined. Group I showed higher N concentration compared to Group IV, whereas Groups II and III did not differ from others. Seeds can be a source of nutrients: K (11.8 g kg-1), P (4.1 g kg-1), Mn (9.0 mg kg-1), Cu (7.2 mg kg-1), Mo (0.92 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) indicate minimal risk to human health. Overall, lithology and climate of southern Brazil affected only N concentration suggesting that Group I A. angustifolia seeds would contribute more to protein intake.