AGRONOMIC-PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACID CONTENT (OMEGA 3) OF Portulaca oleracea AND Montia perfoliata

Abstract

In recent years the deeper knowledge about the nutritional quality of food has been based of technological advances and research. This has allowed the selection of certain foods according to their nutritional properties, prioritizing them and in turn, improving mass consumption, providing a better nutritional quality. Therefore, incorporating edible weeds in the diet appears as an alternative by seeking not only a wider range of consumer species, but also beneficial contribution of properties for human health. The objective of this study were to analyze the phenological stages and agronomic productive performance of Portulaca oleracea and Montia perfoliata grown in a hydroponic system, and to quantify their content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega 3). Each phenological stage of Portulaca was achieved in less thermal time (°Cd) than Montia until fruit set. Fresh weight increased exponentially in both species, while the shoot/root ratio increased in Portulaca from day 63. With regard to fatty acids, Portulaca had a higher content of alpha linolenic acid (ALA) in all plant parts tested. The highest concentration was found in leaves, followed by inflorescences, while the lowest concentration was observed in stems. Eicosapentaeonic acid (EPA) was also higher in Portulaca with no difference between plant parts. Montia presented the same pattern of fatty acid content in the plant but levels were lower than those found in Portulaca.