Tropical Plants as Sources of Fat and Protein

Abstract

"The production of many renewable resources is based primarily on the photosynthetic capability of plants. Yet, vast areas of the tropical zone are not utilized. It appears that some plants. that grow well in certain tropical regions, could be introduced in other regions to improve the quality of life particularly in poor countries and to increase the supply of renewable raw materials for all the world. The following plants are considered as potential sources Of edible fats and proteins: babassu (Orbignya martiana and O. oleifera), buffalo gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima), seje (Jessenia polycarpa), winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolabus), and several lupine species (Lupinus angustifo/ius, L. albus L. mutabilis and L. termis). Plants that can be used for the production of industrial lipid material include candelilla (Euphorbia antisyphi/itica), castor bean (Ricinus communis), Guayule (Parthenium argentatum), jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis). and various shrubs and trees of the family flacourtiaceae, (Hydnocarpus anthe/mintica, H. wightiana, Caloncoba echinata and Carpotroche brasi/iensis). Although most vegetable oils can serve as fuel for diesel engines. they should be reserved for use in human food, if edible. or as raw material for the industrial production of a great variety of commodities."