Topic
Phytelephas
About: Phytelephas is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 15 publications have been published within this topic receiving 117 citations.
Papers
TL;DR: In this article, the productivity, sustainability, and management of tagua nuts from the palm Phytelephas aequatorialis under three management regimes in northwestern Ecuador were examined.
Abstract: This study examines the productivity, sustainability, and management of tagua nuts from the palm Phytelephas aequatorialis under three management regimes in northwestern Ecuador. Tagua nuts are used internationally as an ivory substitute and the palm fronds are used locally as roof thatch. Plots were established in a control site and in three local management regimes: pure tagua groves; stands with tagua and cacao in an agroforestry system; and tagua groves where the undergrowth is cleared and old fronds removed. Data were collected for one year and local extractors were interviewed about their tagua management. Palm demography indicates heavy management with few subadult individuals and many more adult females than males. Productivity analyses do not demonstrate the influence of any one environmental variable on leaf or infructescence productivity. The pure tagua grove is the management regime most conducive to tagua sustainability. The sustainability results are underscored by the extractive methodology, where local extractors maximize tagua collected while minimizing collection time. These results are incorporated into management recommendations to foster tagua extraction while ensuring its sustainability and future use.
56 citations
TL;DR: The whole male inflorescence provides cattle with a fodder nutritionally similar to ryegrass, while the flower clusters provide humans with 102 Kcal/100 g, about four times the caloric density of cauliflower or broccoli.
Abstract: Field observations revealed the consumption of several parts of the vegetable ivory (“tagua”) palm not previously reported to be eaten by humans or animals. The whole male inflorescence provides cattle with a fodder nutritionally similar to ryegrass, while the flower clusters provide humans with 102 Kcal/100 g, about four times the caloric density of cauliflower or broccoli. The central mesocarp is similar in composition and caloric density to other fruits and is a comparatively rich source of calcium (116 mg/100 g), potassium (841 mg/100 g), and zinc (1.3 mg/100 g). The interior mesocarp, with 22% fat, is a high caloric density (288 Kcal/100 g) fodder for chickens and is rich in linoleic acid (21%). The immature endosperm, eaten as a snack, is of negligible importance in human nutrition.
19 citations
TL;DR: This work is the first to characterize the dried Jarina endosperm and to investigate its functionality as a viable substitute for elephant ivory.
Abstract: The dried endosperm of the seed of Phytelephas sp is widely used for artisanal work in the Amazon region due to its favorable mechanical properties and pleasant appearance that resemble elephant ivory. While the seeds have enjoyed popularity and limited use by selected industries (e.g., military uniform buttons and piano keys) and handicraft applications, little is known about the mechanical properties and structure of this sustainable material. This work is the first to characterize the dried Jarina endosperm and to investigate its functionality as a viable substitute for elephant ivory. Structural analysis of typical seeds reveals the prevalence of tubules that align in rings and radiate from the (usually hollow) core of the seed. This seed, in the absence of a reinforcement structure or mineral phase, possesses mechanical properties slightly inferior to elephant ivory and selected plastics, while retaining the visual appeal of a naturally occurring material. A synthetic structure inspired on the seed is created and suggestions for further development are discussed.
14 citations
TL;DR: A new species of Ammandra (A. natalia) (Palmae) is described and illustrated and notes on its morphology, reproductive biology, distribution, and economic botany are given.
Abstract: A new species of Ammandra (A. natalia) (Palmae) is described and illustrated. Notes on its morphology, reproductive biology, distribution, and economic botany are given. During joint field-work in Ecuador in 1985, specimens of three species of phytelephantoid palms were collected. Subsequent examination of these showed the first to be Phytelephas mi- crocarpa Ruiz & Pavon, the second Palandra ae-
12 citations
3 Mar 2011
TL;DR: PCA and UPGMA analysis showed that oils derived from palm fruits can be classified in function of tissue from where it was isolated: (a) oil derived from the mesocarp with high concentration of MUFAs, and (b) oilsderived from the endosperm withhigh concentration of SFAs.
Abstract: Ecuador has one of the highest palm’s population diversity in the Neotropic (134 natives species); some of them have the potential like new sources of oils and fats. A bibliographic search showed 24 studies describing fatty acid composition for Ecuadorian palms (Astrocaryum, Attalea, Bactris, Cocos, Elaeis, Euterpe, Mauritia, Oenocarpus, and Phytelephas). PCA and UPGMA analysis showed that oils derived from palm fruits can be classified in function of tissue from where it was isolated: (a) oils derived from the mesocarp with high concentration of MUFAs, and (b) oils derived from the endosperm with high concentration of SFAs. Oils derived from Phytelephas aequatorialis (mesocarp) and Mauritia flexuosa (endosperm) showed a peculiar concentration of PUFAs. Despite of the economic potential of native palms like new sources of edible and industrial oils, the knowledge of the oil productivity, management of natural populations, and the conservation of the genetic resources need to be studied.
5 citations
Related Topics (5)
Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |