IRON AND CALCIUM CONTENT OF EDIBLE PLANTS IN NON CONVENTIONAL FAMILY SOLANACEAE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

This study compares the amount of calcium and iron present in three species of Solanaceae, they are: Solanum paniculatum L., Solanum sessiflorum D. and Physalis angulata L., all considered unconventional food plants (PANC's) because they are unexplored by the general population. The three species were collected in riverine communities of the Lower Branco river, Roraima, and had its nutritional content compared with plants that are commonly used in the daily diet as well as the amount of daily nutrients recommended by ANVISA (National Agency of Sanitary Surveillance). As a result it was found that the nutritional content of these minerals is within what is recommended by the agency and figure as an alternative to nutritional replacement of riparian, once they usually have difficult to access conventional foods.