Volume 55, September 2016, Pages 1–10
Review
Spyridon Petropoulosa, , ,
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Highlights
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- Purslane is the richest plant source in α-linolenic acid.
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- Nitrogen source and nitrogen rate can affect α-linolenic and oxalic acid content.
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- Oxalic acid content can be manipulated through breeding and cultivation practices.
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- Late harvest is beneficial for quality (α-linolenic acid and oxalates content).
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- Purslane has a great potential as a functional or power food.
Abstract
Background
Recently,
there is an increasing market trend for innovative functional/power
foods and dietary supplements from natural compounds. Therefore the
evaluation of potential species that could be used for that purpose is
of major importance. Common purslane is such a species due to its high
nutritional value, since it is considered the richest plant source in
omega-3 fatty acids (especially α-linolenic acid).
Scope and approach
In
this review all the aspects related with chemical composition and
health effects of common purslane are presented. Additionally, an
overview of cultivation practices and breeding prospects and their
effect on quality are also presented. Special interest is given on
bioactive compounds such as α-linolenic acid and oxalic acid due to
their important effects on human health.
Key findings and conclusions
Purslane
has been used in human diet throughout the centuries, however there are
health concerns regarding its oxalic acid content that limit the
recommendation of its regular use in human diet. Cultivation practices
and breeding selection have been confirmed to allow for managing the
content of the main bioactive compounds and consequently increase the
added value of the final product. However, further studies are need in
order to incorporate purslane in food industry, either as raw, minimally
processed and processed food product, or as an ingredient in food and
dietary supplements and drugs. In conclusion, the high nutritional and
therapeutic value of common purslane should be further capitalized,
whereas the application of proper cultivation practices could contribute
to this purpose by improving quality.
Keywords
- Purslane;
- Bioactive compounds;
- Functional foods;
- α-linolenic acid;
- Omega-3 fatty acids;
- Oxalic acid
© 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
