Nutritional and ecological aspects of buriti or aguaje (Mauritia flexuosa Linnaeus filius): A carotene-rich palm fruit from Latin America

Abstract

Mauritia flexuosa, a palm tree native of Latin America, is an excellent source of carotenes. The natural habitats are swamps; nevertheless, with sufficient water supply, it can grow in other soils. Buriti is the richest natural source of beta carotene known (152,000 µg RAE/100g in the oil). Animal studies showed an extremely high bioavailability, probably due to its oily composition. The effectiveness of buriti in treating and preventing xerophthalmia was demonstrated in a controlled community trial with 44 children in Brazil. In conclusion, this fruit has an enormous potential in preventing vitamin A deficiency in Latin America and elsewhere.

KEYWORDS:

• Mauritia
• buriti
• aguaje
• nutritional aspects
• Latin America

Partial results presented at the XIII Congreso Latinoamericano de Nutrición, SLAN, Acapulco, México, 2003.

Notes

¹BP in geological sciences means Before Present and “Present” corresponds to the year 1950.

Brazil Ministry of Health (2002). Brazilian regional foods. Ministério da Saúde, Brasília (in Portuguese).

FAO/WHO (1988). Joint Expert Consultation. Requirements of vitamin A, iron, folate and vitamin B₁₂. FAO Food and Nutrition Series No. 23, Rome: FAO