Exploring consumers’ knowledge and perceptions of unconventional food plants: case study of addition of Pereskia aculeata Miller to ice cream

Suelen Mazon,Carla Cristina Lise,Bruna Marina Cella,Thiago De Oliveira Vargas,Marina Leite Mitterer Daltoé,Daiana Menin

doi:10.1590/fst.39218

Suelen Mazon, Carla Cristina Lise + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/fst.39218

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Abstract

Unconventional food plants (UFPs) are by definition little known and infrequently consumed by population, although are recognized as having high nutritional value and economic potential. The objective was to assess the knowledge about UFPs by the population in the southwestern region of the state of Paraná, Brazil; and more particularly to evaluate the holistic perception of an ice cream prepared with the UFP ora-pro-nóbis, a plant that is gaining attention in recent years We applied a questionnaire to assess knowledge of several UFPs; check-all-that-apply questions to evaluate the knowledge, habits and perceptions regarding UFPs; and word association (WA) and acceptance tests for holistic and hedonic evaluation of the ice cream. The results revealed that the best known UFP species were taro and roselle, followed by ora-pro-nóbis and lamb’s ear. They also revealed that among participants, the majority (63%) had heard of UFPs, but only 19.4% stated they had the custom of eating these plants. The respondents also indicated interest in buying UFPs, but stated it was not easy to find them for sale. In the WA test, ice cream was described mainly in the categories tasty, innovation, sweet taste, plant flavor, smooth and creamy, and the acceptance index was 74%.

Highlights

Many unconventional food plants (UFPs) are recognized by the scientific community as important complementary sources to combat nutritional deficiencies (Bacchetta et al, 2016; Barreira et al, 2015; Menendez-Baceta et al, 2017; Sanchez‐Bel et al, 2015)
The most common UFPs found in the southwestern region of Paraná, Brazil, are verdolaga (Portulaca oleraceae), nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus), air yam (Dioscorea bulbifera), amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina), taro (Colocasia esculenta), roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) and ora-pro-nóbis (Pereskia aculeata), and they are most often classified as weeds or medicinal plants
The objective of this study was to assess public knowledge, habits and perception regarding UFPs, and in particular, the holistic and hedonic perception of an ice cream prepared with ora-pro-nóbis (OPN)

Summary

Introduction

Many unconventional food plants (UFPs) are recognized by the scientific community as important complementary sources to combat nutritional deficiencies (Bacchetta et al, 2016; Barreira et al, 2015; Menendez-Baceta et al, 2017; Sanchez‐Bel et al, 2015) They often contain high concentrations of minerals and proteins and high levels of vitamins A and C, along with significant percentages of fiber (Aberoumand & Deokule, 2009). Verdolaga contains high concentrations of omega-3, omega-6 and antioxidant compounds (Oliveira et al, 2009) It is used in folk medicine for its diuretic, anti-inflammatory and vermifuge effects (Albuquerque et al, 2007; Xiang et al, 2005). It can be consumed in salads, juices and stir-fries, imparting a mildly acidic flavor (Oliveira et al, 2009)

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