MORAIS, E. J. F.; MORAIS, EMIDIA; EJF, MORAIS; http://lattes.cnpq.br/9173616839484508; MORAIS, Emidia Joyce Fernandes de.
Resumen:
Food consumption is passing through a fast and intense change in the whole world in the last
decades. In this context, natural foods as fruits and vegetables were substituted by a high-level
consumption of multiprocessing feed regarding the increase of chronic non-communicable
diseases and changes in the nutritional style of human beings. Nevertheless, part of the
population has changed the focus, again, searching for foods in nature, which promote health
and better organic functions and corporal shaping. Brazil is a country that has a large variety of
plants. One of them is the unconventional food plants (PANC). PANC are vegetables, fruits,
flowers, or herbs that have potential consumption. In addition, PANC is a source of bioactive
and nutritional components. Because of the variety of these plants in the state of Paraiba and its
low exploration, the main goal of our work was a literature review about PANC in the state of
Paraiba, concerning their nutritional characteristics and technological potential. We selected the
most uncommon. To achieve our aim, we review papers, thesis, books, manuals, and
government documents related to the theme. We observe a total of 24 kinds of PANC in the
state of Paraiba, of which 15 (62,5%) species were studied for deeper comprehension. We
notice that these plants have a wide variety of fibers, vitamins, minerals, and numerous
bioactive compounds with functionality. These properties are essential for the maintenance of
health and to prevent and treat several diseases. The PANC also presented chemical, physical,
and sensorial characteristics which allow their use in natural or being added in other food
preparation, such as in new product elaboration. Therefore, we concluded the unconventional
food plants work as a powerful tool in human nutrition, becoming healthy, varied, and rich in
nutrients, which help to a safe and healthy feeding.
