Search Results (26)

In this paper, we provide an overview of the research and literature on wild foods (i.e., edible plants that grow without human cultivation and/or animals harvested from their natural habit, i.e., food sourced from “hunting and gathering”) and their ability to assist food systems in becoming more sustainable and equitable. We begin with a discussion on the green revolution and the global capitalist food system that has been created and is dominated by large agribusinesses. Next, we turn to a brief discussion of how homogenizing the food system, as large agribusinesses have, leads to a corresponding loss of local culture. We then provide an overview of the main areas of wild food research, including nutrition, reducing food insecurity, the importance of cultural and shared knowledge, and sustainability. Our discussion stresses how focusing too heavily on the dichotomy of cultivated vs. wild food is problematic. Rather, lessons regarding health, sustainability, and equity can be learned from foragers, hunters and gathers. Full article

Wild edible greens are a key ingredient of the so-called Mediterranean diet and they are commonly used in various local dishes in their raw or processed form. Domestic processing of edible greens may affect their nutritional value and chemical profile. In this work, six wild species (e.g., Cichorium spinosum L. (S1); Centaurea raphanina subsp. mixta (DC.) Runemark (S2); Picris echioides (L.) Holub (S3); Urospermum picroides (L.) Scop. ex. F.W. Schmidt (S4); Sonchus oleraceus L. (S5); and S. asper L. (S6)) were assessed for the effect of domestic processing (boiling) on chemical composition and bioactivities. Concerning the chemical composition, glucose, oxalic acid, α-tocopherol, and α-linolenic acid were the most abundant compounds, especially in P. echiodes leaves. After decoction, mainly sugars, tocopherols, and oxalic acid were decreased. The species and processing affected the phenolic compounds content and antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and anti-inflammatory activities. Specific compounds were not previously detected in the studied species, while hydroethanolic extracts contained a higher total phenolic compound content. Hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts were effective towards a range of bacterial and fungi strains. Therefore, the consumption of leaves has health-promoting properties owing to the bioactive compounds and can be integrated into healthy diets. However, domestic cooking may affect the chemical profile and bioactivities of the edible leaves, especially in the case of free sugars and phenolic compound content where a significant reduction was recorded in leaves after decoction. On the other hand, domestic processing could be beneficial since it reduces the oxalic acid content in edible leaves, which is considered an antinutritional factor. Full article

The Mediterranean diet is mostly based on high intakes of olive oil, vegetables, legumes, and fruits, with limited amounts of red meat and sweets, and is related to lower risk of cardiovascular diseases, mainly due to the health benefits of antioxidants of wild greens, fruits, and vegetables. Petromarula pinnata (L.) A. DC. is a unique (monotypic) and threatened local endemic wild edible green of Crete which is consumed raw in salads or cooked as an ingredient of the Mediterranean (Cretan) diet. In this study, we aimed to examine the nutritional value of P. pinnata with reference to wild-growing material; moreover, we investigated its chemical composition with ¹H NMR spectra and its in vitro total phenolics and flavonoids (TPC, TF assays), and we evaluated the antioxidant (TAC, DPPH, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation), antimicrobial (MIC), and anti-inflammatory (inhibition of soybean lipoxygenase) in vitro activity during two different developmental stages (winter and summer collections), all referring to ex situ cultivated material (air-dried or frozen in liquid nitrogen). Our results showed that P. pinnata has good nutritional value, being rich in terpenoids and poor in phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Furthermore, the extracts showed high antioxidant activity for TAC and DPPH and some of the extracts had higher antioxidant activities than the standard compounds. The summer plant materials had higher antioxidant activity than the winter ones. The methanol/water extracts were the strongest inhibitors of the lipid peroxidation, and the methanol extracts were not found to be active. None of the extracts inhibited the soybean lipoxygenase, and thus they were devoid of anti-inflammatory activity. Finally, the extracts showed a moderate to strong bacterial inhibition. These findings consolidate that P. pinnata has a novel nutraceutical interest with high nutritional value and high antioxidant activity combined with bactericidal effect, thus updating the evaluation of its exploitation potential in the medicinal sector from below average (37%) to high (67%). Full article

The aims were: (a) to biomonitor vanadium (V) in wild edible mushrooms collected from urban/rural areas across Leicestershire (England); (b) to characterise the risk to humans caused by its content in topsoils. Thirty-four mushrooms were collected: twenty-two Agaricus bitorquis from a green area close to a busy traffic area; four Marasmius oreades from the NE; and eight Coprinus atramentarius from Bradgate Park, which is northwest of Leicester city. Moreover, 850 topsoil samples were collected and processed as composite samples (eighteen urban and eight rural), which were further processed in duplicate. The level of V was measured twice in each of the 52 composite samples and in the cleaned, dried and homogenised mushrooms by ICP-MS. Significant higher levels of V were found in C. atramentarius (0.856 (0.175–4.338)) than in the edible mushrooms collected in the urban areas (M. oreades, 0.305 (<LoD-0.852), and A. bitorquis, 0.078 (<LoD-0.187); the median and range are given in mg/kg dw). The health risk quotients calculated suggested a minimal risk to V if eaten. The presence of V in Leicestershire’s topsoils would also not represent a significant risk for the population. Full article

Vertical farming is gaining attention for urban agriculture and sustainable food production, but mainstream crops may not be economically viable in this system, prompting a shift to high-value crops. This study explores the potential of Cichorium spinosum L. (spiny chicory), a wild edible green, for vertical farming. When cultivated on open field and greenhouses, spiny chicory tends to flower prior vernalization deeming the flowered plants unsalable, necessitating an investigation on its flowering responses. C. spinosum L. plants were cultivated and for 5 months in peat-filled pots, under low light (100 μmols m² s⁻¹), and two photoperiods (10 and 15 h) with stable temperature (20 °C) and CO₂ level (400 ppm). No flowering occurred at the end of the first experiment, indicating that photoperiod alone did not induce flowering. Next, C. spinosum L. was hydroponically cultivated under a 15 h photoperiod, light intensity of 300 μmols m⁻² s⁻¹, temperature between 25 and 30 °C, CO₂ levels of 350 to 400 ppm, and plant density of 100 plants m⁻². At the end of the one-month cultivation the yield of the salable fresh weight was approximately 1.7–2 kg per m². Moreover, gas exchange measurements were conducted to analyze CO₂ uptake and evapotranspiration. This study aims to enhance understanding of spiny chicory’s flowering response and growth performance, providing valuable insights for cultivating this wild edible vegetable in vertical farming systems. Full article

The aim was two-fold: to characterise the risks of lead (Pb) in Agaricus bitorquis collected in the city of Leicester (England), and to evaluate its presence in urban topsoils. Pb was monitored by ICP-MS in twenty-two homogenised mushroom samples (caps and stipes) mineralised with HNO₃/H₂O₂ [LoD = 0.872 mg/kg dry weight (dw)]. Moreover, 450 topsoil samples were collected from 18 urban parks across Leicester; Pb was also measured by ICP-MS after appropriate digestion (LoD = 0.698 mg/kg). Levels were significantly higher in the mushroom caps (p-value = 3 × 10⁻⁵); median and ranges are provided in mg/kg dw: 2.461 (1.806–6.664) vs. 1.579 (0.988–4.223). Concentrations were much higher than those reported in sixteen A. bisporus (median < 1.0 mg/kg DW) specifically cultivated in high-traffic areas in the inner city of Berlin, suggesting some contamination by Pb. All caps monitored exceeded the established maximum concentration limit for Pb in cultivated mushrooms in the European Union (3 mg/kg dw), in line with the high accumulative metal capability described in the literature for Agaricus spp. Although non-carcinogenic risks characterised for Pb were negligible in the monitored mushrooms, a high consumption of wild green edibles in Leicester’s city should be limited as there are multiple additional sources of Pb and other metals, and they should be substituted by cultivated edibles where possible. Full article

This study was designed to bridge extant research gaps regarding the vulnerable and protected local endemic Campanula pelviformis, a wild edible green traditionally consumed in Crete (Greece) with agro-alimentary and medicinal interest as well as ornamental value. The C. pelviformis ecological profile was generated using the climate and temperature conditions prevailing in its wild habitats through mapping of natural distribution linked with online bioclimatic databases in geographical information systems. We tested the germination of seeds from five wild-growing populations at four different temperatures (10, 15, 20 and 25 °C) and under different light conditions (light/dark and darkness), and we performed fertilization trails [integrated nutrient management (INF), chemical fertilization (ChFe), control] examining morphological and physiological characteristics, above- and below-ground macro- and micronutrients and phenol contents, as well as their antioxidant capacity. We found population and temperature effects on seed germination with their interaction being statistically significant. Campanula pelviformis germinated better at 10 and 15 °C (>85% for all populations) with no preference on light conditions (98.75% and 95% in light and dark conditions). The INF application increased root dry mass, chlorophyll content index and chlorophyll fluorescence compared to other treatments and was beneficial for macro- and micronutrient concentrations in above-ground parts compared to previously studied wild-growing material, while below-ground parts were positively impacted by both fertilization types. Total phenols and antioxidant capacity were both increased by ChFe fertilization. The data furnished herein permitted the re-evaluation and upgrade of its sustainable exploitation potential in different economic sectors. Full article

Native wild edible greens usually include plants with widespread geographical ranges and represent a long tradition associated with well-documented health effects, especially in the frame of the Mediterranean diet. Although consuming local endemic and range-restricted plants as wild edible greens is rare, in some areas of Crete this is a long ethnobotanical tradition. The present study is focused on the phytochemical and nutritional element analyses of the edible parts of the wild-growing green Campanula pelviformis. To date, nine secondary metabolites have been isolated: lobetyolin (1), calaliukiuenoside (2), demethylsyrrigin (3), wahlenoside A (4), chlorogenic acid methyl (5) and butyl ester (6), nicotiflorin (7), rutin (8) and corchoionoside A (9). This first-time research on the phytochemical composition of this local endemic plant of Crete is a basic step in attempts to document its nutritional value, also allowing an exploration of its beneficial properties. The nutritional value of the Mediterranean diet owes much to the inclusion of native edible wild plants, which are abundant in mineral elements and bioactive compounds known to promote human health. Among these plants, the local Cretan endemic species C. pelviformis stands out as a rare and valuable source of wild edibles with traditional dietary significance in eastern Crete. This plant’s rich content of mineral elements and bioactive compounds makes it an intriguing subject for further research into the potential health benefits of wild plant consumption. Full article

Recent changes in the shifting cultivation landscape (SCL) of the Indian Himalayan region—a global biodiversity hotspot—is of great concern due to their implication to conservation and economic development of the region and their impact on ecosystem services as well as the wellbeing of the region’s inhabitants. The present study investigated the changes in land use in the SCL and their impact on the psychological wellbeing of the indigenous people of the region. Longitudinal data for over 15 years on land-use patterns and cross-sectional data from 481 respondents across 52 villages representing six states in India’s North East that are part of the Indian Himalayas were utilized for the study. To analyze subjective wellbeing, Cantril’s self-anchoring scale was used, followed by focused group discussions to triangulate the self-reported responses. Results reveal that the respondents were aware of the effects of landscape changes on their psychological wellbeing. These changes mostly represented a decline in shifting cultivation (SC), land ownership, food systems, social cohesion, cultural fulfillment, the diversity of cultivated native plants, and the availability of wild edible plants. Although the decline in SCL led to a gain in the area under green cover, it led to a marked decline in the diversity of cultivated and wild edible plants. This, the respondents perceived as adversely impacting their wellbeing. Empirical analysis established positive effect of SC on the psychological wellbeing of the respondents. However, a decline in SC seemed to have had an adverse impact on the perception of their wellbeing and thus increasing the migration. Therefore, optimized and ecosystem-based approaches and frameworks of socio-ecological systems are essential to harmonize the ecosystem services with wellbeing of the people. Full article

Wild-growing edible flora should be investigated to improve human food sustainability and security. Portulacaria afra (spekboom) is an undervalued edible succulent plant that thrives in harsh conditions in Southern Africa. This study determined whether the indigenous edible spekboom can be harnessed as a sustainable, nutritious food source and ingredient. Physicochemical and nutritional analyses were conducted on fresh and processed leaves (preserves, chutney, pickles, and spice). The physicochemical characteristics included morphology, color, texture, °Brix, pH, water activity, moisture content, titratable acidity, and ascorbic acid. Nutritional value determinants included crude protein, crude fiber, gross energy, and total fat content. The small, dark green fresh leaves had a soft texture and a very low sugar and fat content. Although the water content was high, water activity was low. The pH and titratable acidity showed high acidity. Leaves were high in ascorbic acid and low in protein, energy, insoluble fiber, and total fats. The leaves were successfully processed into preserved products providing possible applications in the food industry other than fresh leaves. The high acidity could be researched for application as a functional ingredient. This study provided basic information on an unexplored plant that may have potential in the food industry. Full article

Scolymus hispanicus L. is a wild edible species with wide distribution in the Mediterranean area. Recent research has focused on the domestication of wild edible greens, which is essential for the preservation of agroecosystems and the increase in biodiversity, especially under the adversely changing climate conditions. In the present work, the aim was to evaluate the response of S. hispanicus plants to different fertilization regimes that varied in the amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in regard to plant growth and chemical composition of leaves. For this purpose, plants were grown in pots within an unheated greenhouse. Seven experimental treatments were used, including six fertigation regimes (SH1-SH6) and the control treatment (SHC), where no fertilizers were added. Fresh yield was beneficially affected by the treatments that included a high content of P and K (e.g., SH3 and SH5), while lesser amounts of these macronutrients (e.g., SH1 and SH4) resulted in higher chlorophyll content (SPAD index) and leaf area. In terms of mineral profile, high amounts of P and K improved dietary fiber and carbohydrates content, whereas the untreated plants had the highest content of ash, fat and crude protein. Oxalic and quinic acid were the major organic acids detected, with fertigation regimes significantly reducing their content compared to the control treatment. α-tocopherol was the only isoform of vitamin E detected in all the samples, while glucose and fructose were the most abundant sugars, with their highest content detected in control and SH4 treatments, respectively. Scolymus hispanicus leaves were rich in macro and micro minerals, while their contents varied depending on the fertigation regime. Finally, α-linolenic, palmitic, and linoleic acid were the major fatty acids detected, while their contents were beneficially affected by low nutrient inputs (e.g., untreated plants and SH1 and SH2 treatments). In conclusion, the regulation of nutrient solution seems to be an effective practice to increase fresh yield in S. hispanicus without compromising the nutritional profile of the edible product, while low inputs of macronutrients such as P and K may improve the chemical composition of the species, especially in terms of n-fatty acids. Full article

Urtica dioica L. and Aegopodium podagraria L., also known as stinging nettle and ground elder, are edible wild green vegetables rich in bioactive and antioxidant polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals. Antioxidant activity assays (TEAC-, DPPH-, and TPC-assay) in combination with HPLC measurements, to qualify and quantify their chemical compositions, were used. Firstly, the drying methods affected the antioxidant activity of further processing stages, and outcomes were dependent on the species. Secondly, cooking increased the antioxidant activity due to higher concentrations of bioactive compounds, and released bound compounds through the rupture of cell structures. Furthermore, fridge storage (3 days at 7 °C) resulted in the lowest antioxidant activity, compared to freezer storage (30 days at −20 °C). Added 5-caffeoylquinic acid (0.3 mM) led to an increased antioxidant activity, most noticeably in freeze-dried samples. Synergistic effects of 5-caffeoylquinic acid were primary found in freeze-dried samples, analyzed fresh or after storage in the fridge. Metal-chelates can lower the antioxidant activity in plant matrices. Edible wild green vegetables are rich in polyphenols and processing can even increase their concentrations to boost the potential health effects. In general, selected quantified phenolics are not solely responsible for the antioxidant activity; minerals, processing, and interactions in plant matrices also contribute decisively. Full article

Wild edible mushrooms are distributed all over the world and are delicious seasonal foods, rich in polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins, and other components. At the same time, they contain many essential trace elements and are highly enriched in heavy metals (compared to green plants and cultivated edible mushrooms). Consumers may be exposed to health risks due to excessive heavy metals in the process of consumption. This is also one of the important factors affecting the import and export of edible mushrooms, which is of great concern to consumers and entry and exit inspection and quarantine departments. In this paper, the contents of four essential trace elements of iron, manganese, zinc, and copper and four harmful heavy metals of cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic in nearly 400 species of wild edible mushrooms from 10 countries are reviewed. It was found that the factors affecting the elemental content of edible mushrooms are mainly divided into internal and external factors. Internal is mainly the difference in species element-enrichment ability, and external is mainly environmental pollution and geochemical factors. The aim is to provide a reference for the risk assessment of edible mushrooms and their elemental distribution characteristics. Full article

In the current study, a novel green nano-catalyst from Tragacanth gum (TG) was synthesized and used for sustainable biodiesel production from Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. seed oil. Brassica juncea (L.) Czern contains 30% oil on dry basis and free fatty acid content of 0.43 mg KOH/g. Physiochemical characterization of a newly synthesized nano-catalyst was performed by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis. The XRD results showed an average crystalline size of 39.29 nm. TEM analysis showed the cluster form of NiSO₄ nanoparticles with a size range from 30–50.5 nm. SEM analysis of the catalyst showed semispherical and ovoid shapes with surface agglomeration. The synthesized catalyst was recovered and re-used in four repeated transesterification cycles. Maximum biodiesel yield (93%) was accomplished at 6:1 methanol to oil molar ratio, catalyst concentration of 0.3 wt%, at 90 °C for 120 min at 600 rpm using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) coupled with central composite design (CCD). Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. biodiesel was characterized by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), FT-IR, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) (¹H, ¹³C), and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GCMS) analytical techniques. The major fatty acid methyl esters were 16-Octadecenoic acid and 9-Octadecenoic acid methyl ester. The fuel properties, i.e., flash point (97 °C), density (825 kg/m³ at 40 °C), kinematic viscosity (4.66 mm²/s), pour point (–10 °C), cloud point (–14 °C), sulfur content (66 wt.%), and total acid number (182 mg KOH/g) were according to the International biodiesel standards. The reaction kinetic parameters were determined, and all the reactions followed Pseudo first-order kinetics. It was concluded that non-edible Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. seed oil is one of the sustainable candidates for the future biofuel industry using a cleaner, reusable, and highly active Ni-modified TG nano-catalyst. Full article

The context of urban rivers is one of pollution of their courses, the degradation of riparian habitats, the loss of biodiversity, and the marginalization of the human populations that live next to them. Due to urban growth, the hydrological dynamics in entire basins and the hydromorphology of rivers are changing. This situation increases flooding, decreases the availability of water for human use, and disconnects the rivers from the dynamics of the city. Agroforestry is the integration of cultural, wild, and domesticated diversity with use, conservation, and restoration objectives. These practices in cities can contribute to addressing the problems mentioned. We analyze agroforestry practices and the socio-ecological contributions to urban river rehabilitation. We review 37 experiences worldwide. Agroforestry practices included in the review are trees and hedgerows; wetland agroforestry; aquatic, botanical, edible, educational, and rain gardens; bioswales; green parking lots; food forestry; vegetation in alleys and streets; vertical terrace walls, among others. Agroforestry contributes to efforts to solve urban river problems, improve water quality and access, restore riparian habitats, enhance river hydromorphology, support local economies, and create a river culture. We emphasize promoting multi-relational people–river interactions based on theoretical and practical frameworks that integrate diverse disciplines, perspectives, and experiences. Full article