Biotechnology and bioprospecting of Prosopis alpataco from Patagonia, Argentina

BOERI, P; PIÑUEL, L; DALZOTTO, D; BARRIO D,; SHARRY, S.

PROSOPIS AS A HEAT-TOLERANT NITROGEN-FIXING DESERT FOOD LEGUME

Elsevier

Año: 2022; p. 157 - 164

In this chapter, it has been presented studies of P. alpataco concerning germination, in vitroculture conditions, and bioprospection of the active substances that support the medicinaland nutritional properties of this species. Knowledge about propagation aspects throughgermination and in vitro tissue culture of P. alpataco are relevant both for small and largescaleproduction required by environmental restoration plans and for inclusion in germplasmbanks. The complementarity of both strategies ensures the availability of resources for thisspecies propagation and conservation. In respect to bioprospecting, a better understanding ofthe nutritional and functional properties of native resources is relevant for the production offunctional foods or nutraceuticals, based on ethnobotanical knowledge.Finally, the aspects that are seen here allow a general understanding of the potential sustainableuse of this species, a necessary step for its cultivation, reintroduction into ecosystems, domestication, sustainable management, and its improvement. This is fundamental for thefuture approach to the environmental and social problems of the Patagonia region.