Author(s):
García-Herrera, Patricia 
; Morales, Patricia ; Fernández-Ruiz, Virginia ; Sánchez-Mata, M.C ; Cámara Hurtado, Montaña ; Carvalho, Ana Maria ; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R. ; Pardo de Santayana, Manuel ; Molina, María ; Tardío, Javier
Date: 2014
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10198/10151
Origin: Biblioteca Digital do IPB
Subject(s): Wild leek; Nutrients; Bioactive compounds; Antioxidant activity; Natural production
Description
Wild Allium species with a long tradition of use, such as Allium ampeloprasum L. could provide interesting bioactive compounds to current diet. The nutrient and bioactive compound content of this wild vegetable has been scarcely known. Therefore, the aim of this work is to provide a detailed chemical quantification of nutrients, hydrophilic and lipophilic bioactive compounds and the antioxidant capacity of the edible parts of wild leek, as well as data about plant production and availability of the species in their natural habitats.
Wild leek can be considered as a low energy food, being a good source of fiber and zinc, compared to its cultivated relatives, and has revealed a predominance of polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid being the main fatty acid. Additionally, the natural yield of this species, although lower than other cultivated Allium species, was found to be stable and well-adapted to human-disturbed environments. For these reasons, this non-conventional wild bulb should be revalorized as a good alternative to increase the diversity of vegetables consumed and enhance the quality of current occidental diets.
