Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.): Its potential as foodstuff and traditional medicine

Abstract

The search for natural, functional, and healthy products based on local knowledge continues, such as sacha inchi (SI) or Plukenetia volubilis L. (Euphorbiaceae). This plant has long been used by the Icha tribe in Peru because it has a high protein and vegetable oil content. This study aims to explain the potential use of SI as a food ingredient or traditional medicine. The method used in the study is library research using data obtained online at Google Scholar using the keywords sacha inchi, P. volubilis and uses P. volubilis. The SI is an indigenous Peruvian plant that has been cultivated in various parts of the world, including Indonesia. The nutritional value of SI is so high that it is considered a “super food” because it is high in polyunsaturated oils, high quality protein, essential amino acids, dietary fiber, minerals, tocopherols, phytosterols, and phenolic compounds. The seeds of P. volubilis are used for various anti-oxidants, anti-cancer, anti-hypercholesterolemia, anti-hypertensive and anti-microbial properties. The proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in SI seeds is high, including ϒ and δ -tocopherol, but is relatively stable against oxidation, so storage needs to be developed. The SI seeds have the potential to be developed as a nutraceutical, namely healthy food, especially to overcome cholesterol and hypertension.