Abstract
Caryodendron orinocense, Karst., called in Venezuela nogal de Barquisimeto, is an euphorbiaceous tree which grows at the base of the Andes mountains in Venezuela, Ecuador and Colombia, and which has potential as a food source. The fruit is a capsule containing three seeds, with an average weight of 10.2 g for the whole seed or 'nut' and an average weight of the edible portion of 4.9 g. The chemical composition (iron, phosphorus, sodium, potasium, thiamine, riboflavin, ascorbic acid and carotenes) and the antinutritional factors of the whole mature seeds were determined. The seeds presented neither trypsin inhibitors nor haemaglutinating activity. The edible portion contained 33.85% crude fat, and 17.16% protein (N x 6.25) on a dry weight basis and the following amounts of iron, calcium, thiamin and riboflavin: 22.36, 303.91, 0.24 and 0.2 mg/ 100 g, respec tively. These results suggest that the Caryodendron seeds have potential as a source of oil and proteins. Further studies are recommended.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.