Pour un développement des recherches sur les potentialités de la biodiversité végétale à protéger la santé du consommateur

Abstract

Introduction. Today, agri-business products represent a significant and increasing share of food consumed by man. The industrial transformation of the agricultural production has reduced the nutritional density of the processed products. Major agricultural productions. The major world agricultural productions are, to a great extent, of the raw materials for agri-industry. They are mainly cereals and the two major sugar plants (sugarcanes and beets). The space-time availability of the processed products makes it possible to meet calorie needs and to act against hunger. However, for the maintenance of cellular life and physiological equilibrium, it is also necessary to consume micronutrients, of which antioxidants are particularly common and abundant in fruit and vegetables. Fruits, vegetables and health. The consumption of fruit and vegetables, in fresh or little refined forms, is favorable to the protection of the consumer's health. Oils, aromatics and health. Oilseeds and aromatics also contain substances able to contribute to protecting health. Knowledge needs to be developed for a better integration of oils and aromatics in culinary preparations. Antioxidants and biodiversity. Their investigation can be supported by an increase and setting in synergy of: the analytical chemistry and tools, the physiology of plant development, and human nutrition and physiology. The American intertropical zone constitutes a particularly rich area for resources. Conclusion and prospects. It is advisable to seek, in vegetable biodiversity, species of interest for the protection of the consumer's health. It is necessary to carry out an integrative step going from genetic resources to processed products. © 2006 Cirad/EDP Sciences. All rights reserved.