Species of unconventional food plants of the genus Sonchus are widely consumed in rural populations living in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. This study investigated the nutritional composition of S. oleraceus, S. asper, and S. arvensis species. The centesimal composition was investigated according to the norms of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, the occurrence and concentration of carotenoids and vitamins through High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, and minerals with the aid of atomic emission spectrometry in inductively coupled plasma. There was no significant difference between the water content found in the three species. However, S. asper showed higher concentrations of lipids (1.32g/100g), carbohydrates (0.34g/100g), total carotenoids (5.58mg/100g), and Ca (96.25mg/100g), while S. arvensis had the highest concentration of vitamins E (72.98μg/100g) and K (604.85mg/100g). S. oleraceus showed higher concentrations of Fe (23.74mg/100g). Statistically, fibers and ash presented the same proportions in S. asper and S. arvensis, as well as proteins in S. oleraceus and S. asper species. The availabilities of these vegetables together with their high nutritional value are important factors that contribute to ensuring food security for families that have these species in their diet.

Ora-pro-nóbis (Pereskia aculeata Mill.) is an unconventional vegetable found in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and consumed, mainly by the rural population who lives in this biome. The present study investigated the nutritional value and contribution potential this species to the recommendations of daily nutrient intake for adults. Moisture and ash content were determined by gravimetry after oven drying and muffle incineration, respectively. Proteins were determined by the micro-Kjeldhal method; lipids by gravimetric lipids using soxhlet extractor; Total dietary fiber (TDF) by non-enzymatic gravimetry; Carotenoids and vitamin C by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with Diodes Array Detector; Vitamin E by HPLC and fluorescence detection; and minerals by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Ora-pro-nóbis presented concentrations of TDF (3.73 g 100 g-1), ash (0.96 g 100 g-1), lipids (1.45 g 100 g-1), protein (1.27 g 100 g-1), carotenoids (3.15 mg 100 g-1), total vitamin E (438.68 µg 100 g-1), Ca (427.08 mg 100 g-1), Mg (88.84 mg 100 g-1), Mn (3.46 mg 100 g-1), Fe (13.89 mg 100 g-1) and K (689.41 mg 100 g-1). The species was considered a source of TDF, a good source of Mg, Cu and K, and an excellent source of vitamin A, Ca, Mn, Fe and Se.

Fruits is a scientific journal for original articles and reviews on fruit crops in temperate, Mediterranean, subtropical and tropical regions

Worldwide this species is considered as a weed and it is frequent in many crops. There is information in the literature that pointing this species as invasive and recommend its control, including through the use of herbicides (^{Naderi & Ghadiri, 2011}). In Brazil, normative instructions and government resolutions, in addition to official research agencies classify this species as weed plant as well.

In this study the native carotenoids composition in kumquat (Fortunella margarita) (peel + pulp) from Brazil was determined for the first time by a HPLC-DAD-APCI/MS (high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/mass spectrometry), methodology. Eleven carotenoids were successfully identified and quantified in kumquat: four carotenoids in the free form and seven carotenoids in the esterified form. β-citraurin-laurate was the carotenoid found in the highest content (607.33 µg/100 g fresh matter), followed by β-cryptoxanthin-laurate (552.59 µg/100 g). The different esterified forms of β-citraurin and β-cryptoxanthin represented 84.34% of the carotenoids found, which demonstrates the importance of esterification in natural fruits. β-carotene and free xanthophylls (β-cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin) represented 5.50% and 14.96%, respectively, of total carotenoids in kumquat. The total carotenoid content of kumquat from Brazil was very high (2185.16 µg/100 g), suggesting that this fruit could contribute significantly to the intake of important bioactive compounds by the population.

Erechtites valerianifolia (Wolf) DC is an unconventional vegetable found in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Is consumed in high proportions by the population living in this biome. The objective of this study was to investigate the general chemical composition, occurrence and content of carotenoids, vitamins (C and E) and minerals in this vegetable. By the micro-Kjeldhal method it was determined proteins. It was determined total dietary fiber (TDF) by non-enzymatic gravimetric method. Carotenoids and vitamins were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) it was determined minerals. E. valerianifolia presented concentrations of TDF (3.7 g 100 g^-1), ash (0.9 g 100^-1), lipids (1.4 g 100^-1), carbohydrates (2.9 g 100^-1), proteins (1.3 g 100^-1), caloric density (29.2 kcal 100^-1), Vit. A (373.9 µg 100^-1 RAE), K (561.2 mg 100^-1), Ca (79.5 mg 100^-1) and Fe (21.6 mg 100^-1). It is considered that this vegetable is source of Ca, good source of fiber and K, and an excellent source of pro-vitamin A, Mn, Se, Fe, Mo and Cu, which may reduce food and nutritional insecurity in the population, mainly in the region where this species is found.