[Nutrient content in vegetable species from the Argentine Chaco].

The nutrient composition was investigated in wild vegetable products grown in the Argentine Chaco. The evaluated species were: Rumex sp., Amaranthus quitensis and Taraxacum officinale, as vegetable leaves; Morrenia odorata, Passiflora sp. (in two ripening stages) and Eugenia myrciantes as fruits; and the pollen of the flowers of Typha domingensis. Sampling was performed during three harvesting seasons. Values for protein, total lipid, crude fiber, ash, reducing and total sugar, starch, total pectin and computed energy value are given. Mineral values are reported for: calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron and phosphorus. Vitamin values are given for ascorbic acid and beta-carotene. Comparison of two means test was employed to test the significant differences among the means. In the wild leaves, higher concentrations of the macronutrients were found thean in commercially exploited cultivars such as swiss chard, spinach and chicory. Also higher energy value: 33-60 Kcal against 14-30 Kcal/100 g. Unusually high levels of calcium, iron and magnesium were found for Amaranthus quitensis (274.3, 6.4 and 136.2 mg/100 g, respectively) and 48.9 mg/100 g of ascorbic acid were found in Rumex sp. As a rule, all these wild fruits exhibited higher amounts of macronutrients and energy value than cultivated species such as apples (Mallus sp). The most interesting results were for T. domingensis pollen regarding its macro and micronutrient composition with an energetic value of 287.7 Kcal/100 g.