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Nutritive value of zostera marina and cardon ( pachycereus pringlei) as consumed by the Seri Indians in Sonora Mexico

1985; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 17; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/03670244.1985.9990890

1543-5237

Mauro E. Valencia, José L. Atondo, Georgina Hernández,

Analytical Chemistry and Chromatography

The grain of eelgrass (Zostera marina) consumed by Sen Indians of Sonora Mexico is the only known case of a sea grain used as human food. Z. marina was combined with the seed of Cardon (Pachycereus pringlei), a columnar cactus of the Sonoran Desert. Protein quality was determined by the NPR and RNU methods. The NPR results showed significant differences (p<0.05) between raw and toasted Z. marina that could be related to the lysine lost in the toasting process. P. Pringlei, as well as the blend, showed lower values (p<0.05) than the grain of Z. marina, possibly due to high fiber content or the presence of antinutritional factors. Additionally, the iron and riboflavin content seem to be considerable.