Abstract

VILLARROEL, Mario; BIOLLEY, Edith; YANEZ, Enrique  and  PERALTA, Rosario. Caracterización químico nutricional del musgo Sphagnum magellanicum. ALAN [online]. 2002, vol.52, n.4, pp.393-399. ISSN 0004-0622.

Chemical characterization of the moss Sphagnum magellanicum. The goal of the present study was to know the chemical characteristics of the moss Sphagnum magellanicum (S.M.) growing in the southern part of Chile, spreading aproximatelly. in a geographic area of 500.000 Has . Very few antecedents are reported in the literature concerning the functional properties of this resource, with the exception of the water absortion and holding capacity. Many of the industrial or agricultural uses of this moss are strongly related with this characteristic. Looking for other alternatives of utilization, it has been planned its incorporation to staple foods as a source of dietary fiber. But first it is necessary to know its chemical characteristics Representative samples of this material were submitted to different chemical analysis such as proximal analysis, fractional fiber analysis and anti nutrient factors. .Results of those analysis show the high amount of dietary fiber founded in this resource (77%), higher than reported data for other traditional fiber sources such as lupin bran, rice hull, barley hull, oat bran, etc. Finally it is important emphasize the absence of antinutrient factor in this moss, that could make feasible its use for human nutrition.

Keywords : Moss; Sphagnum magellanicum; dietary fiber; anti nutrient factors.