1Erythrina edulishttp://food-security.info/food-security.info/Winrock%20Archive/edulis.htm

Llamado tambin Bal, Sachaporoto, Poroto,Balsuy o Frijol Mompas

el legado de LosIncas

El Chachafruto es conocido como el Man del Trpicocomo el rbol multipropsito y tambin

como el rbol que nunca muere.

Oswaldo Prez *Una historia personalCuando renunci a mi cargo de profesor en la ULA, enel ao 1975, para irme a una pequea finca deaproximadamente 10 has. en el municipio AndrsBello del Estado Mrida, fu con la intencin dedescubrir un nuevo modelo de vida sobre el planetaque nos resultara mas satisfactorio y msconvincente.

2 Cuestionbamos en esa poca la direccin que segua la sociedad industrial de consumo y la forma comodentro de sta sociedad se resolvan los asuntos bsicos de la existencia como lo son la alimentacin, lavivienda, la convivencia de pareja, la salud, y la educacin de los hijos. As que optamos por lanzarnos sin ningntipo de experiencia a la aventura de irnos al campo, para iniciar la investigacin prctica de un proceso orientadoa descubrir si exista un nuevo modelo de vida que diera una respuesta diferente, alternativa o mas adecuada anuestras inquietudes. Despus de 26 aos de intensa bsqueda, nos encontramos en la actualidad en una encrucijada importanteque nos interesa comunicar, pues estamos seguros que lo que actualmente percibimos como una verdaderasolucin, o un nuevo modelo de vida que puede llegar a ser de extrema utilidad para nuestro Municipio, para elPas y para el mundo entero.La Propuesta del ChachafrutoEsta propuesta la estamos enviando actualmente a un concurso internacional y la hemos titulado: "Consolidacinde un Nuevo Modelo Agroalimentario Sustentable de Produccin de Protenas para la Regin Tropical". ElSumario de este proyecto es el siguiente:"Los 800 millones de personas que existen en el mundo en estado dedesnutricin crnica son consecuencia de la aplicacin de un modelo agroalimentario de produccin y consumoinsustentable. Se propone un nuevo modelo basado en :1) El cultivo de la leguminosa "Erythrina Edulis" que es un legado de los Incas, originaria de los Andes y que tiene la mayor productividad de protena utilizable/Ha. del mundo,y

2) El procesamiento de esta leguminosa para la fabricacin de "Miso", uno de los mejores y ms estratgicos alimentos del planeta para consumo humano directo". Tratar en el presente artculo introductorio hacer un resumen descriptivo de la agro ecologa de esta leguminosa, dejando para el prximo nmero de La Era Ecolgica los datos de utilidad prctica que permitan crear un semillero de esta planta.

Descripcin agroecolgica del Chachafruto La "Erythrina Edulis" es una de las 115 especies de Erythrinas dentro de la subfamilia Papilionoideae de lasleguminosas, es un rbol que alcanza una altura de 14 mts. y su follaje puede llegar a los 7 mts. de dimetro, surango de vida oscila entre 30 y 40 aos, y el tronco principal alcanza los 37 cms. de dimetro.El rango altitudinalpara sta especie es desde los 1200 hasta los 2600 mts. sobre el nivel del mar. Los nombres comunes con losque se conoce este rbol son los siguientes : chachafruto, bal, sachaporoto, poroto, balsui y frijol mompas. ElChachafruto es conocido como el "Man del Trpico", como el rbol multipropsito y tambin como el rbol quenunca muere. Es calificado como una planta milagrosa por sus propiedades medicinales y como unsuperalimento para el hombre y los animales, no solo por la cantidad de protenas sino tambin por la calidad ybalance de sus aminocidos.

Ac en el Municipio Andrs Bello del Estado Mrida lohemos escogido como uno de los renglones agrcolas

3estratgicos para solventar la crisis econmica y ambientalen la que estamos. Y esto debido a las inmensasposibilidades que nos ofrece entre las que resalta el hechode que es totalmente comestible: sus hojas, flores, cscaradel fruto y semillas, pueden servir de excelente alimentoproteico para todos los animales y para el ser humano. Losniveles de produccin de este rbol resultan increbles puesse ubican en las 36 toneladas de frjol por hectrea, paraejemplares de 6 aos sembrados con una densidad de 400rboles por hectrea (5mts. x 5mts.). Este rbol puedeusarse como acompaante para el cultivo del caf,recomendndose en este caso sembrar a 7 mts.x 7 mts. ytambin para otros cultivos como malanga, lulo y tomate derbol. Esta especie puede usarse para "cercas vivas" puesprende fcilmente por estacas. Se usa actualmente enColombia para "bancos de protenas" pues produce 80toneladas de forraje protico por hectrea (23% de protenas). Para este ltimo esquema de produccin, hay quesembrarlo cada 50 cms. entre rbol y cada 1 mt. entrehileras. La primera poda se hace a los 12 meses y las 2podas siguientes distanciadas 6 meses cada una y enadelante cada 4 meses se puede realizar un corte.

Los lectores de La Era Ecolgica que estn interesados en conocer este proyecto en detalle pueden enviarnos sue-mail a la siguiente direccin: granjaom@yahoo.es , y con mucho gusto le enviaremos una copia del mismo.

Aqu les adelantar algunas direcciones en el cyberespacio que tienen mas informacin sobre este tema :www.winrock.org/forestry/factnet.htmwww.desde_abajo.org

* Ingeniero-Agricultor

Erythrina Species - Pantropical Multipurpose Tree Legumeshttp://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Publicat/Gutt-shel/x5556e0b.htm

Forage Tree Legumes in Tropical Agriculturehttp://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Publicat/Gutt-shel/x5556e00.htm#Contents

4NFT HighlightsNFTA 94-01, January 1994A quick guide to nitrogen fixing trees from around the world

Erythrina edulis: multipurpose tree for tropical highlandsCultivated for centuries, Erythrina edulis is an important food source for humans and animals in thetropical highlands of South America. The seed is a component of many diets,and the trees alsoprovide shade in coffee and cacao plantations, support for vine crops, green manure, live fenceposts,wood for construction and fuel, and medicinal preparations.

BotanyErythrina edulis Triana ex M. Micheli is one ofabout 115 Erythrina species in the subfamilyPapilionoideae of the Leguminosae (syn.Fabaceae) family. Over a normal life span of 30to 40 years, the leafy trees grow up to 14 m tallwith stem diameters up to 37 cm and crowndiameters up to 7 m. The stem and branchesare covered with stout prickles. The alternateleaves are trifoliate with long petioles and twonectar-producing glands at the base of eachleaflet. The flower cluster (raceme), supportedon a stout stalk, consists of 180 to 200short-stalked flowers arranged in threes aroundthe axis. The flowers have a reddish-greencalyx and a crimson corolla with an upper petal(standard) and two lateral petals forming thekeel. The pistil is surrounded by 10 stamens.The two-petaled flowers face upward, forminga large cup in which nectar gathers (Ruskin,1989).

Erythrina edulis is cross pollinated by sucking insects, bees, wasps and birds. Seeds mature 65days after flowering. Fruits hang in bunches of 9 and 18 cylindrical pods. Pod size varies widely, butaverages 32 cm long and 3 cm in diameter with six seeds. The seed coat is generally brownish-redbut is sometimes yellow or black (Acero, 1989). DistributionErythrina edulis is distributed from Mrida in Venezuela, to the mountain ranges of Colombia andthe Andes mountains of Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. It is commonly known as chachafruto, bal,basul or sachaporoto in Colombia, guato in Ecuador, and pashuro, pajuro, basul sachaporotoor sacha purutu in Argentina and Bolivia (Ruskin, 1989). Ecology

5Erythrina edulis is a pioneer species that grows best in full sunlight, but trees can tolerate someshade in the early stages of growth. In Colombia, the species occurs from elevations of 1200 to2600 m, with an optimum range from 1600 to 2200 m. In Peru, E. edulis grows from 900 to 3200m (Martel, 1989). In the species's native range, annual rainfall varies from 450 to 1800 mm andtemperatures are between 5 and 25C. The trees grow well in loose-textured sandy loams and inheavy clay soils. They do not tolerate frequent frosts. UsesHuman food. The seeds contain 23% protein, 1% fat, 8% crude fiber and 84% moisture. Theyhave a good balance of amino acids and a digestibility after cooking of about 50%. Seeds must beboiled at least 45 minutes or fried thoroughly before being eaten. As a paste, they provide anutritious base for tortillas, desserts, pies, soups and food for infants. They are also boiled, sun dried,ground and added to flour. Research indicates that uncooked E. edulis seeds can be toxic ifconsumed over a long period (Prez et al., 1979). Seeds of all other Erythrina species are highlytoxic. Forage. The leaves and tender branches can be fed to cattle, goats, horses, pigs, guinea pigs andrabbits. Leaves contain 24% protein, 29% crude fiber (dry weight) and 21% total carbohydrates.They are rich in potassium but low in calcium (Surco, 1987). Seeds and pods can be fed fresh tocattle and goats, but should be cooked before feeding to pigs, chickens, rabbits or fish. The podscontain 21% protein, 23% crude fiber (dry weight), 24% carbohydrates and 91% moisture. Cookedseed can replace up to 60% of the concentrate fed to chickens and fish (Martn and Falla, 1991). For maximum fodder production, the trees can be planted in protein banks at a close spacing (1.0 x0.5 m). They are first pruned at 10 months and then at six- or four-month intervals. A two-year-oldprotein bank can produce up to 80 tons of leaves and tender branches per ha, or the leaves can bedried and ground to produce 6 tons of chicken feed rich in carotene (Vargas and Ocampo, 1991). Shade and support. Erythrina edulis is widely used as a shade tree for coffee or as a support forvine crops such as pepper, betel and grape. In Colombia, trees are spaced at 6 x 6 to 8 x 8 m incoffee plantations or 5 x 5 m with vine crops (Vargas and Ocampo, 1991). Annual pod productionfrom three- to four-year-old trees at a 6 x 6 m spacing can average 30 kg/tree or 8 tons/ha (greenweight); annual pod production from 20-year-old trees can average 177 to 211 kg/tree. Live fenceposts. In Colombia, live fenceposts are established from stakes at 2-m intervals andallowed to grow for 30 months before pruning or attaching barbed wire. Stakes should be at least 4to 6 cm in diameter and 2 m long. Pruned at four-month intervals, leafy branches from 1 km offencing can provide up to 30 tons of fodder per year; unpruned, the same fenceposts can provide upto 85 tons of fruit (Vargas and Ocampo, 1991). Medicine. In Colombia, a soap made from the bark, branches and leaves of E. edulis is used towash dogs with skin disease. In Peru, the seed is mixed in a liquid concoction to treat inflammationof the bladder. The flowers are used to treat eye irritations (Acero, 1989). SilvicultureSeed treatment. Erythrina edulis is easily propagated from seed or cuttings, but seedlings tend toroot deeper and live longer than cuttings. Seed should be removed from pods immediately andstored in paper bags in a cool, dark place. They lose viability quickly and should be planted withineight days of harvesting. Viability can be extended up to 20 days by dipping seeds for a moment inmolten paraffin so that a thin layer of paraffin coats the entire seed. Seed size varies widely: Acero(1989) reports 60 fresh seeds per kg in Colombia, while Martel (1989) reports 146 fresh seeds perkg in Peru. Establishment. Larger seeds tend to produce more vigorous seedlings. Plant seeds in 1-kgpolyethylene bags with the convex side facing upwards and slightly exposed. Leave room between

6planting bags to allow space for leaf development (Vargas and Ocampo, 1991). Germination beginsin 5 to10 days. Shade the seedlings in the nursery and reduce shade partially in the last two weeksbefore outplanting. At 60 days, seedlings may be planted out in holes 30 cm deep. Erythrina edulis can also be direct seeded.Cultivate the soil thoroughly to a depth of 30 cm andplant two seeds per hole. Thin to one seedling after four or five weeks. Weed periodically in a 1-mcircle around the plants. Seedlings grow rapidly (2.5 m in the first year) and begin producing fruit inapproximately 24 to 27 months. Cuttings of 4 to 6 cm diameter, and usually 1 m in length, should be planted to a depth of 30 to 50cm within three days of harvesting (Vargas and Ocampo, 1991). Cuts should be made withwell-sharpened tools to avoid damage that can lead to rotting; the top cut should be at a 45 angle.Sealing the cuts with paraffin, plastic, mud or other material can increase survival rates. Cuttingsbegin producing fruit about 18 months after planting. Erythrina edulis forms a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with Rhizobium in the cowpea miscellany(Acero, 1989). Large nodules form in the upper soil surface and decrease in size with increasing soildepth. LimitationsErythrina edulis does not tolerate long periods of drought, especially during early stages ofestablishment. It does not grow well in strongly acidic soils (pH below 4.5). Stem borers damageterminal shoots and cause lateral branching. Butterfly larvae (Terastia meticulosalis) bore intoseeds. Trees are also susceptible to nematodes (Helicotylenchus sp., Hoplotylus sp. andMeloidogyne sp.) (Francia Varon de Agudelo, personal communication). Future research needsThe large differences observed in seed size suggest the existence of genetic variation. Rangewideprovenance collection and testing is needed to determine differences in fruit yield, biomassproduction, nutrient content and adaptability. Research would also be useful on improved methodsto increase seed viability. Symbiotic relationships need to be explored and quantified. Finally,traditional agroforestry uses of E. edulis and pest and ,disease management need furtherdocumentation. ReferencesAcero, E. 1989. Informe final silvicultura y productividad del chachafruto Erythrina edulis. Part1. Bogot: Universidad Distrital-CIID-CONIF. Krukoff, B.A. and Barneby, R.C. 1974. Conspectus of species of the genus Erythrina. LLOYDIA(Journal of Natural Products). 37:359. Martel, A. 1989. Erythrina edulis Triana, especie de gran potencial para asociacionesagrofrestales; advances de su propagacin. Technical Note 01. FAO/Holland/DGFF Project, 30pp. Martn, D. and Falla, J.A. 1991. Evaluacin de los efectos biolgicos de la sustitucin deconcentrado por harina de chachafruto Erythrina edulis (15 y 30%) en la alimentacin depollos de engorde bajo un esquema de produccin de economa campesina. Thesis inZootechnology. Valle (Colombia): Universidad Nacional de Colombia-Palmira. Patio, J.E. 1992. Suplementacin de cabras con chachafruto Erythrina edulis.Thesis inZootechnology. Valle (Colombia): Universidad Nacional de Colombia-Palmira. Prez, G., de Martnez, C. and Daz, E. 1979. Evaluacin de la calidad de la protena delchachafruto Erythrina edulis. Bogot: Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Ruskin, F.R. 1989. Basul. In Lost crops of the Incas. Washington, DC: National Academy Press,pp. 16471.

7Surco, J. 1987. Evaluacin de minerales nutricios en las semilla de Erythrina edulis. Cuzco(Peru): Universidad Nacional San Antonio Abad del Cuzco. Vargas, L.R. and Ocampo, M.P., eds. 1991. El chachafruto o balprotector de aguas ysuelos superalimento humano, forraje para el ganado. Extension Bulletin 7. Bogot: FederacinNacional de Cafeteros de Colombia, p. 22.

Written by Nancy Barrera, Universidad Nacional de Colombia-Palmira, A.A. 237 Palmira, Valle,Colombia, with material added by NFTA staff.

A publication of the Forest, Farm, and Community Tree Network (FACT Net)(formerly the Nitrogen Fixing Tree Association)Winrock International38 Winrock DriveMorrilton, AR 72110-9370 USATel: 501-727-5435 Fax: 501-727-5417 Email: forestry@winrock.orgwww.winrock.org/forestry/factnet.htm

http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/af/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1791

Species identityTaxonomyCurrent name: Erythrina edulisAuthority: Triana ex M. MicheliFamily: Fabaceae - Papilionoideae

Synonym(s)Erythrina esculenta SpragueErythrina lorenoi Macbr.

Common names

(Spanish) : bal, basul, basul sachaporoto, basul/bal, chachafruto, guat, pajuro, pashuro, sacha purutu,sachaporoto

Botanic descriptionErythrina edulis is a leafy tree growing up to 14 m tall with stem diameter up to 37 cm and crown diameterup to 7 m. The stem and branches are covered with stout prickles. Leaves alternate, trifoliate with longpetioles and two nectar-producing glands at the base of each leaflet. Flower cluster (raceme), supported ona stout stalk, consists of 180-200 short-stalked flowers arranged in threes around the axis. The flowershave a reddish-green calyx and a crimson corolla with an upper petal (standard) and two lateral petalsforming the keel. The pistil is surrounded by 10 stamens. The two-petaled flowers face upward, forming alarge cup in which nectar gathers. Fruits hang in bunches of 9 and 18 cylindrical pods. Pod size varieswidely, but averages 32 cm long and 3 cm in diameter with six seeds. The seed coat is generallybrownish-red but is sometimes yellow or black. Erythrina comes from the Greek word eruthros-red, alludingto the showy red flowers of the Erythrina species.Ecology and distributionHistory of cultivationCultivated for centuries, E. edulis is an important food source for humans and animals in the tropicalhighlands of South America.Natural HabitatE. edulis is a pioneer species that grows best in full sunlight, but trees can tolerate some shade in the earlystages of growth. In Colombia, the species occurs from elevations of 1 200-2 600 m, with an optimum

8range from 1 600-2 200 m. In Peru, E. edulis grows from 900-3 200 m. In the species's native range,annual rainfall varies from 450-1 800 mm and temperatures are between 5-25 deg C. The trees grow wellin loose-textured sandy loams and in heavy clay soils but not in strongly acidic soils (pH below 4.5). E.edulis does not tolerate long periods of drought, especially during early stages of establishment and doesnot tolerate frequent frosts.Geographic distributionNative : Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela

Biophysical limitsAltitude: 900-3 200 m Mean annual temperature: 5-25 deg C Mean annual rainfall: 450-1 800 mm Soiltype: The trees grow well in loose-textured sandy loams and in heavy clay soils.

Reproductive BiologyE. edulis is cross pollinated by sucking insects, bees, wasps and birds. Seeds mature in about 3 monthsafter flowering.

Propagation and managementPropagation methodsE. edulis is easily propagated from seed or cuttings, but seedlings tend to root deeper and live longer thancuttings. Larger seeds tend to produce more vigorous seedlings. Seeds should be planted in 1-kgpolyethylene bags with the convex side facing upwards and slightly exposed. Germination begins in 5-10days. Seedlings should be shaded in the nursery and shade partially reduced in the last two weeks beforeout planting. At 60 days, seedlings may be planted out in holes 30 cm deep. E. edulis can also be directseeded. Cuttings of 4-6 cm diameter, and usually 1 m in length, should be planted to a depth of 30-50 cmwithin 3 days of cutting. Cuts should be made with well-sharpened tools to avoid damage that can lead torotting; the top cut should be at a 45 angle. Sealing the cuts with paraffin, plastic, mud or other materialcan increase survival rates.

Tree ManagementE. edulis has a normal life span of 30-40 years, its seedlings grow rapidly (2.5 m in the 1st year) and beginproducing fruit in approximately 24-27 months. Cuttings begin producing fruit about 18 months afterplanting. For maximum fodder production, the trees can be planted in protein banks at a close spacing (1 x0.5 m). They are first pruned at 10 months and then at 6- or 4-month intervals. A 2-year-old protein bankcan produce up to 80 tons of leaves and tender branches per ha, or the leaves can be dried and ground toproduce 6 tons of chicken feed rich in carotene. In Colombia, live fence posts are established from stakesat 2 m intervals and allowed to grow for 30 months before pruning or attaching barbed wire. Pruned atfour-month intervals, leafy branches from 1 km of fencing can provide up to 30 tons of fodder per year;unpruned, the same fence posts can provide up to 85 tons of fruit.

Germplasm ManagementSeed should be removed from pods immediately and stored in paper bags in a cool, dark place. Seedslose viability quickly and should be planted within 8 days of harvesting. Viability can be extended up to 20days by dipping seeds in molten paraffin so that a thin layer of paraffin coats the entire seed. Seed sizevaries widely and there are 60-146 fresh seeds/kg.

Functional usesProductsFood: The seed is a component of many diets and contains 23% protein, 1% fat, 8% crude fiber and 84%moisture. Seeds have a good balance of amino acids and a digestibility of about 50% after cooking. Seedsmust be boiled for at least 45 minutes or fried thoroughly before being eaten. As a paste, they provide anutritious base for tortillas, desserts, pies, soups and food for infants. They are also boiled, sun dried,ground and added to flour. Research indicates that uncooked E. edulis seeds can be toxic if consumed overa long period. Fodder: The leaves and tender branches can be fed to cattle, goats, horses, pigs, guineapigs and rabbits. Leaves contain 24% protein, 29% crude fiber (dry weight) and 21% total carbohydrates.They are rich in potassium but low in calcium. Seeds and pods can be fed fresh to cattle and goats, butshould be cooked before feeding to pigs, chickens, rabbits or fish. The pods contain 21% protein, 23%crude fiber (dry weight), 24% carbohydrates and 91% moisture. Cooked seed can replace up to 60% of theconcentrate fed to chickens and fish. Fuel: The tree is used as firewood. Timber: The wood is used forconstruction. Medicine: In Colombia, a soap made from the bark, branches and leaves of E. edulis is usedto wash dogs with skin disease. In Peru, the seed is mixed in a liquid concoction to treat inflammation ofthe bladder. The flowers are used to treat eye irritations.

ServicesShade or shelter: The trees also provide shade in coffee and cacao plantations. Nitrogen fixing: E. edulisforms a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with Rhizobium in the cowpea miscellany. Large nodules form in theupper soil surface and decrease in size with increasing soil depth. Soil improver: The fallen leaves provideleaf litter. Boundary or barrier or support: Live fence posts are established from stakes as support for vinecrops.

Pests and diseasesStem borers damage terminal shoots and cause lateral branching. Butterfly larvae (Terastia meticulosalis)bore into seeds. Trees are also susceptible to nematodes (Helicotylenchus sp., Hoplotylus sp. andMeloidogyne sp.).

Bibliography

9Arguello Arias H. 1995. Biochemical changes and their application for green manure use, as organic matterand nutrient source, in agroforestry systems. Agronomia Colombiana. 12(2): 169-181.Krukoff BA and Barneby RC. 1974. Conspectus of species of the genus Erythrina. LLOYDIA (Journal ofNatural Products). 37:359.NFTA. 1994. Erythrina edulis: multipurpose tree for tropical highlands. NFTA 94-01. Waimanalo.Ruskin FR. 1989. Basul. In: Lost crops of the Incas. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, pp. 164-71.Zimsky M. 1990. Using nitrogen fixing trees for human food. NFTA-News. 11: 1-2, 6. Nitrogen Fixing TreeAssociation. Waimanalo.

Fruit

Catalogue number: 60340Botanical classification: LEGUMINOSAE-PAPILIONOIDEAE Erythrina edulis

Common name(s): Wood Kidney Bean, Frijol del Monte, Junchua SachaPorotaGeographical description: Ecuador, AndesCollector number: Collection date:Donor: Spruce, Richard Donation date: 20/02/1865Dimensions (cm): Length: Width: Depth: Diameter:

17.2 1.8Specimen label:Pods with edible seeds, Andes of Ecuador where it is called Frijol del Monte or in inJunchua Sacha-porota, both names signifying Wood Kidney Bean Erythrina sp. Spruce(5005) Feb 20/65.

See also:Uses:Taxa: LEGUMINOSAE-PAPILIONOIDEAE Geography: Ecuador

FRJOL GIGANTE PERUANO

10

EL PAJURO

Texto y Fotos

Perunatural.netMientras en las ciudades peruanas se sufrepor el pan con qumicos en los Andes y la

Selva tenemos alternativas altamentenutritivas y naturales.

11

El pajuro es un frejol peruano que llega a medir cincocentmetros y se produce desde hace miles de aos

sobretodo en el Per (Cajamarca, La Libertad, Ancash,Huanuco, Cerro de Pasco, Junn, Cusco y Ayacucho) . En

la imagen vemos que el pajuro alcanza el tamao de undedo meique y es diez veces mas grande que un frejol

comn.En la siguiente nota Perunatural.net da a conocerlos puntos de vista del Magister en Microbiologa

ngel Vargas Mosqueira sobre el pajuro, el pijualloy otras opciones nutritivas nacionales para

enriquecer la dieta diaria. El Mg Vargas ha sidocatedrtico en varias Universidades peruanas en las

reas de post grado.Es nuestra intencin recuperar la estima de los

peruanos a travs de la mirada a nuestro pasado y ala puesta en valor de estos alimentos que por falta

de consumo estn al borde la extincin.

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FAVOR MENCIONAR LA FUENTE WEB EN CASO DE USO EN UN MEDIO DE COMUNICACIN.ENVI LA DIRECCIN DE ESTA REVISTA DIGITAL A QUIEN LA NECESITE. SI DESEA

COLABORAR CON PER NATURAL O RECIBIR INFORMACIN SOBRE MEDICINA ALTERNATIVAEN SU E-MAIL PUEDE COMUNICARSE CON DEITER LINARES GUERRERO

(www.deiterlinares.com ) DIRECTOR, AL 4872242, 98577979 o ESCRIBIR A:deiter@perunatural.net

Para chatear pueden agregar al msn de hotmail las direcciones: perunatural@hotmail.com,perunaturalweb@hotmail.com, o naturismoperuano@hotmail.com

Hoy en da, lamentablemente; los hbitos y costumbres alimenticias denuestros antepasados, se han perdido y nos hemos convertido enconsumidores de alimentos refinados, mas agradables pero menosnutritivos y con muy poca fibra o si ella.Un alimento que merece una especial mencin, es el pajuro llamadotambin basul o poroto. Este es un frejol de 3 a 4 cm de tamao, deforma ovoide que est recubierto por una cscara gruesa, brillante ylustrosa de color marrn oscuro.El pajuro con su alto porcentaje de protenas (25 gr. x 100) y su fcildigestibilidad, podra ser una alternativa para combatir la desnutricin en lapoblacin infantil y las madres gestantes.La planta que produce el pajuro es un rbol de la familia Fabaceae(Leguminosae) que no obstante ser oriundo de los andes centrales delPer es casi desconocida en las grandes ciudades como Lima por la mismarazn, no se consume. Su nombre cientfico es Erythrina edulis.Alimentos tuberosos andinos como la mashua, racacha, maca, y frijolescomo el pajuro, tarwi (chocho) son slo unos ejemplos de la gran variedadde alimentos que cumplieron un valioso papel en la nutricin de loshabitantes antiguo Per dndoles vigor y longevidad. La existencia deestos alimentos en pocas pasadas, ha quedado registrada en loscermicos de diversas culturas pre-hispnicas que son fiel testimonio de suexistencia en dichas pocas. La longevidad que se podra alcanzar conestos alimentos autoctonos se deja ver en pueblos como Acora en Puno,donde se ha censado a personas como el Sr. Clemente Alanoca con 110aos y la Sra. Eugenia Vilca con 116 aos de edad.El investigador Santiago Antnez de Mayolo en su obra "LA NUTRICINEN EL ANTIGUO PERU" dice textualmente lo siguiente "las principalesmenestras cultivadas en el antiguo Per fueron la cazza o parca (Canavalia

13

sp.), los pallares (Phaseolus lunatus L.), los porotos (Phaseolus vulgarisL.), el pajuro (Erythrina edulis L.) y el tarwi (Lupinus mutabilis Sweet)".

El pajuro (semillas maduras), constituye un alimento importante por sualto contenido de protenas cuyos valores porcentuales realizados endistintos Laboratorios de Investigacin fluctan entre las siguientescantidades (x 100 gr.) que mostramos en el siguiente cuadro:

Promedios porcentuales

Pajuro (Basul) : 25 %Arvejas : 21 %

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Frejol bayo : 20 %Garbanzo : 19 % Lentejas : 22 %Pallares : 20 %

El contenido de grasa es bajo, lo que favorece su conservacin; elextracto etreo que contiene la grasa, no alcanza al1 %. Este valor esmenor al encontrado en otras leguminosas como las arvejas (3.2 %),frijol bayo (1.5 %), garbanzo (6.1 %), habas (1.5 %), pallares (1.2 %) ytarwi (17.5 %). En cuanto al contenido de carbohidratos, flucta entre 42y 55 %, siendo el almidn el principal componente.Se han encontrado los siguientes aminocidos: treonina, alanina yfenilalanina en cantidad abundante; valina, prolina, cido asprtico, lisinae histidina en cantidad moderada; poca cantidad de tirosina, triptfano;y adems trazas de metionina.Las semillas del pajuro contienen fsforo, hierro, azufre, sodio, potasio,cobre, manganeso, magnesio y calcio. En suma, se trata pues de uno de los pocosrboles que provee al hombre de un nivel alimentara bsico. Es nuestro deber dar aconocer estos alimentos y fomentar su consumo.

Si las cualidades del Pajuro le han parecido pocas aqu le presentamos unaimagen del PIJUALLO un alimento amaznico de similares bondades.

Un regalo mas del Per maravilloso.

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Mayor Informacin:

PER NATURALRevista Digital de Medicina Natural y Alternativa

Telfonos en Lima, Per:511-4872242, 511-98577979

E-mails:informes@perunatural.net

deiter@perunatural.net

Web Site:www.perunatural.net

RECOMIENDE ESTA REVISTA DIGITAL A SUS AMIGOSEN PER NATURAL TAMBIN CREEMOS QUE EL

PER ES SPERhttp://www.peruessuper.com

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http://food-security.info/food-security.info/