Plantas alimentícias não convencionais – PANC em Capela/SE: estudo etnobotânico

Abstract

The Unconventional Food Plants – UFPs they have significant nutritional value because they are a source of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and proteins that can be part of the diet when consumed as an alternative food, once the most of these species are also popularly used as medicinal plants. However, in general, they are little valued and are known as herbs or “bush”. This research aims to survey the species of unconventional food plants in the Conservation Unit Mata do Junco Wildlife Reserve, in Capela/SE and in communities around that, with the identification of 20 species, in addition to investigating consumption and/or cultivation by communities surrounding the forest. To achieve this objective, the following methodological procedures were carried out: application of questionnaires, semi-structured interviews with members of the communities surrounding the reserve and workshops for tasting and propagating plants. Among the results of the research, a booklet was produced and published, in e-book format with ISBN, to demonstrate to the communities involved in this study the importance of UFPs and the main uses of some species, emphasizing the need for their conservation through a more effective disclosure. Despite being known by the majority of the interviewees, they informed that they do not use the species in food. The lacks of disclosure, the easy access to industrialized foods, in addition to the preconception, are factors that contribute to the non-use of these plants by the residents of the communities studied. It is concluded that unconventional Food Plants can be used as an alternative and healthy food, and can also become a source of income. The role of the divulgation of these species, associated with their importance, is a major milestone for the dissemination of this knowledge that cannot be erased from future generations.