Fruit mineral contents of six wild species of the North Andean Patagonia, Argentina.
The fruit mineral contents (K, Ca, Ba, Br, Zn, Co, Cr, Fe, Na, Rb, Cs, and Sr) of four native and two exotic naturalized shrubs growing in different areas of the Andean Patagonian region of Argentina were investigated. Native species Berberis darwinii, Berberis microphylla (Berberidaceae), Aristotelia chilensis (Elaeocarpaceae) and Ribes magellanicum (Saxifragaceae) produce small berries while the fruits of the exotic species Rosa rubiginosa and Rosa canina (Rosaceae) are aggregates of aquenes. They are used to prepare jams, tea, liquors, and ice creams. Native shrub fruits had higher content of Br, Zn, Co, Cr, Fe, Mo, and Na than those of the exotic naturalized species. Rosa species showed the highest contents of Ca and Ba in their fruits (the mean content doubled those of the native plant fruits). The fruit nutrient content found in the studied species was similar or higher than other values reported for fruits of temperate and tropical species in the world.
Departamento de Botánica, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Quintral 1250, 8400, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina. damascos@cab.cnea.gov.ar
María A
MA
Damascos
Maria
M
Arribere
Maya
M
Svriz
Donaldo
D
Bran
D001118:Argentina; D004777:Environment; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*
D014131:Trace Elements