Characterization of edible fruit from native species of popular use in the Provincial Park “Salto Encantado del Valle de Cuñá Pirú - Misiones”

Abstract

Misiones Province is located in northeastern Argentina. Its native flora has several species little studied, that have potential for fresh consumption, candy industry and medicinal, but still is lacking of information for the use of these species. The Nature Reserve Salto Encantado del Valle del Cuñá Piru is an area untouched by man and where the characteristics of the native species are retained. The Provincial Park has an area of 13,227 ha so it has been selected three representative monitoring sites, located at different altitudes. The common feature between sites was that they are at the edge of the mainstream of Cuñá Piru creek, which runs through the park. The data were relieved from all species of fruit importance that were in the selected sites, phenological records were performed and the fruits were harvested for performing physicochemical analysis of quality. A diversity of native species that are part of the flora of the province, with great potential for the use of its fruits for fresh consumption has been detected. This is the first report of the physical and chemical characteristics of the native fruits that grow on the banks of Arroyo Cuñá Piru, Misiones province, Argentina