Plantas alimentícias não convencionais como alternativa na alimentação das famílias do Assentamento Saco de São Francisco, Cocal(PI)

Abstract

Non-Conventional Food Plants (PANC) are native plants or cultivars that can be easily found in some places such as backyards, crops, vegetable gardens, squares, among other places; they present themselves as a healthy and low-cost food alternative to industrialized foods and also an alternative to conventional vegetables. However, due to lack of information, cultural changes in local and regional eating habits have contributed to the non-use of some foods, the waste of parts with high nutritional value and the disappearance of these plant species. The research aimed to analyze the knowledge and use of PANC in the Saco de São Francisco community, rural area of Cocal-PI. The methodology consisted of bibliographical, documentary and field research through the application of questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with community residents, aiming to contribute to the survey of the main PANC in locus. The results identified about 30 species of PANC, the most cited botanical family being Lamiaceae with 5 citations, with emphasis on the species Talisia esculenta (pitomba) (21), followed by Campomanesia aromatica (Guabiraba) (19) and Ximenia americana (wild plum) mentioned 18 times. The identified PANC are generally consumed mainly in their raw form and are rarely used in cooking. Therefore, it is perceived that there is a need for dissemination in the media and social media of the knowledge of the ways to use and prepare the PANC, this guarantees visibility for these plant species