Macro- and micronutrient content
Pulp (obtained from exocarp and mesocarp): Ash (36.0-36.7 g/kg dry matter), calories (3622.9 kcal/kg), dietary fibre [(insoluble dietary fibre (IDF) 231.4-306.0 g/kg, soluble dietary fibre (SDF) 16.2-25.7 g/kg, total dietary fibre (TDF) 257.1-322.2 g/kg)], total carbohydrates (826.0 g/kg), soluble sugars (539.5 ± 0.43 g/kg), total starch (8.4 ± 0.19 g/kg), protein (40.1-81.1 g/kg), fat (7.1-7.7 g/kg). reducing sugars (glucose, fructose, xylose, arabinose, galactose) (21.4 g/kg), sucrose (46.35 g/kg), total sugars (484.9 ± 25.6 g/kg), pectin (8.0 g/kg) (Bravo et al. 1998),30 calcium (0.759-0.8 g/kg), copper (trace), iron (0.33 g/kg), magnesium (0.904 g/kg), manganese (trace), potassium (26.5 g/kg), sodium (1.13 g/kg), zinc (trace), vitamin A (not detected), vitamin E (5 mg/kg),vitamin B1 (1.9 mg/kg), vitamin B2 (0.6 mg/kg),vitamin B6 (2.35 mg/kg), nicotinic acid (31 mg/kg), vitamin C (60 mg/kg), folic acid (0.18 mg/kg), calcium pantothenate (10.5 mg/kg) (Choge et al. 2007; Grados and Cruz 1996; Grados et al. 1994; Prokopiuk et al. 2000).31,
Phytochemical content
Pulp (obtained from exocarp and mesocarp): Polyphenols [catechins (1.2-1.8 g/kg), condensed tannins (2.6-4.1 g/kg), total soluble polyphenols (8.2-12.4 g/kg)] (Bravo et al. 1998; Grados and Cruz 1996; Grados et al. 1994); volatile constituents in the flour [(5,6-dihydro-6-propyl-2H-pyran-2-one: 59.75 ± 7.07 mg/kg)] (Takeoka et al. 2009).35
Pharmacological actions
In vitro experiments: An ethanolic extract of Prosopis pallida demonstrated antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (Bussmann et al. 2010).36 Algarrobo has shown significant ACE (angiotensinconverting-enzyme) inhibitory activities reflecting antihypertensive potential. These in vitro results point to a potential use of Peruvian mesquite fruit preparations as a food-based strategy for complementing effective antidiabetes and antihypertension solutions based on further animal and clinical studies (Pinto Mda et al. 2009).37
In vivo experiments: No information available.
Human clinical trials: No information available.
In vivo experiments: No information available.
Human clinical trials: No information available.
Recommended uses supported by clinical and scientific data
Possible nutritional (food or dietary supplement) or ‘medical food’ uses:
- As a nutritive tonic;
- As a functional gluten-free flour or powder ingredient suitable for use in raw foods, vegan foods and gluten-free foods;
- As a medical food ingredient suitable for patients with diabetes and hypertension.
Recommended uses supported by traditional use evidence
Syrup made from aqueous decoction of Peruvian mesquite fruit and seeds traditionally used in Peru for respiratory disorders (bronchitis and cough) (Bussmann and Glenn 2010).38
New uses described in patents |
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Cosmetic composition for moisture retention: There is a Japanese patent for a cosmetic, bath and detergent composition including a vegetable constituent having lasting moisture-retaining property which effectively prevents, decreases or improves conditions of drying, skin roughening, cracks on a skin, capped skin, scurf, pruritus or inflammatory disease to skin and hair such as drying, crumbling, split hair, broken hair, gloss imparting, etc. The composition contains one or more extracts of the following botanicals: Algarrobo (Prosopis pallida), Cupuazu (Theobroma grandiflorum), Maca (Lepidium meyenii), Molle (Schinus molle), Yacon (Polymnia sonchifolia).Aguaje (Mauritia flexuosa), Achira (Canna edulis), Huito (Genipa americana), Oca (Oxalis tuberosa), Olluco (Ullucus tuberousus), Kanihua (Chenopodium pallidicaule), Tarwi (Lupinus mutabilis) and Mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum) (Masako et al. 2000).39
