Patagonian berries: An ethnobotanical approach to exploration of their nutraceutical potential

Abstract

Inhabitants of rural communities in Argentine-Chilean Patagonia are mainly of Mapuche-Tehuelche origin, while others have Creole ancestry and/or are descendants of different waves of settlers who arrived in the región more than a century ago. The vast Patagonian territory is characterised by its great environmental diversity, including mountainous regions, steppe, forests and ecotones, which have provided inhabitants with subsistence resources since ancient time. Even today, despite the marked increase experienced in urbanisation and markets, inhabitants of rural Patagonia continue to make use of the different ecological environments, and have therefore accumulated extensive knowledge of their plant surroundings. The close relationship they have established with plants is particularly evident when considering the species used by local families to treat illness and provide food. Native fruits have been much used by local populations as part of their diet, according to archaeological and recent records. In this work, we are particularly interested in the berries which are native to this región.