Traditional culinary uses, food applications, and potential health benefits of Peruvian Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora, Prosopis pallida), research advances and challenges: a review

Abstract Prosopis trees are leguminous plants that are frequently grown in arid, semiarid, tropical, and subtropical locations due to their remarkable capacity to withstand harsh soil conditions. Compared to other leguminous plants, Prosopis species are still neglected despite their promise. Prosopi...

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Main Authors: Sofía L. Bohórquez-Medina, Andrea L. Bohórquez-Medina, Sandor G. de Lukacs Pereny, Martín Cárdenas-Jarama
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of Ethnic Foods
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s42779-025-00270-w
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author Sofía L. Bohórquez-Medina
Andrea L. Bohórquez-Medina
Sandor G. de Lukacs Pereny
Martín Cárdenas-Jarama
author_facet Sofía L. Bohórquez-Medina
Andrea L. Bohórquez-Medina
Sandor G. de Lukacs Pereny
Martín Cárdenas-Jarama
author_sort Sofía L. Bohórquez-Medina
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Prosopis trees are leguminous plants that are frequently grown in arid, semiarid, tropical, and subtropical locations due to their remarkable capacity to withstand harsh soil conditions. Compared to other leguminous plants, Prosopis species are still neglected despite their promise. Prosopis juliflora (P. juliflora) and Prosopis pallida (P. pallida) are both referred to as “Mesquite” or “Algarrobo” in Peru. The purpose of this systematic literature review is to clarify the dietary benefits and food applications of Prosopis species (P. juliflora and P. pallida). A systematic search for relevant articles was conducted on SCOPUS, PubMed/Medline, and WOS. The literature review revealed that Mesquite products have been used in a variety of industries, such as construction, food, and medicine. However, their medicinal use has not been evaluated in clinical trials. Most available evidence pertaining to its health benefits was concentrated on in vitro and in vivo experimental studies. Due to its substantial fiber, protein, and polyphenol content, its nutritional value as a partial replacement for wheat flour and for boosting the nutritional profile of baked goods, drinks, and other food items is being investigated. Further research is required to fully explore food applications and nutritional potential benefits of these neglected leguminous plants. Graphical abstract
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spelling doaj-art-d3bf2502d47743a3a049e43629845c4c2025-08-20T03:05:49ZengBMCJournal of Ethnic Foods2352-619X2025-03-0112111810.1186/s42779-025-00270-wTraditional culinary uses, food applications, and potential health benefits of Peruvian Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora, Prosopis pallida), research advances and challenges: a reviewSofía L. Bohórquez-Medina0Andrea L. Bohórquez-Medina1Sandor G. de Lukacs Pereny2Martín Cárdenas-Jarama3Carrera de Arte Culinario, Facultad de Administración Hotelera, Turismo y Gastronomía, Universidad San Ignacio Loyola [USIL]Carrera de Arte Culinario, Facultad de Administración Hotelera, Turismo y Gastronomía, Universidad San Ignacio Loyola [USIL]ESAN Graduate School of Business, Universidad ESANCarrera de Arte Culinario, Facultad de Administración Hotelera, Turismo y Gastronomía, Universidad San Ignacio Loyola [USIL]Abstract Prosopis trees are leguminous plants that are frequently grown in arid, semiarid, tropical, and subtropical locations due to their remarkable capacity to withstand harsh soil conditions. Compared to other leguminous plants, Prosopis species are still neglected despite their promise. Prosopis juliflora (P. juliflora) and Prosopis pallida (P. pallida) are both referred to as “Mesquite” or “Algarrobo” in Peru. The purpose of this systematic literature review is to clarify the dietary benefits and food applications of Prosopis species (P. juliflora and P. pallida). A systematic search for relevant articles was conducted on SCOPUS, PubMed/Medline, and WOS. The literature review revealed that Mesquite products have been used in a variety of industries, such as construction, food, and medicine. However, their medicinal use has not been evaluated in clinical trials. Most available evidence pertaining to its health benefits was concentrated on in vitro and in vivo experimental studies. Due to its substantial fiber, protein, and polyphenol content, its nutritional value as a partial replacement for wheat flour and for boosting the nutritional profile of baked goods, drinks, and other food items is being investigated. Further research is required to fully explore food applications and nutritional potential benefits of these neglected leguminous plants. Graphical abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s42779-025-00270-wMesquiteProsopis julifloraProsopis pallidaFood applicationNutritional value
spellingShingle Sofía L. Bohórquez-Medina
Andrea L. Bohórquez-Medina
Sandor G. de Lukacs Pereny
Martín Cárdenas-Jarama
Traditional culinary uses, food applications, and potential health benefits of Peruvian Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora, Prosopis pallida), research advances and challenges: a review
Journal of Ethnic Foods
Mesquite
Prosopis juliflora
Prosopis pallida
Food application
Nutritional value
title Traditional culinary uses, food applications, and potential health benefits of Peruvian Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora, Prosopis pallida), research advances and challenges: a review
title_full Traditional culinary uses, food applications, and potential health benefits of Peruvian Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora, Prosopis pallida), research advances and challenges: a review
title_fullStr Traditional culinary uses, food applications, and potential health benefits of Peruvian Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora, Prosopis pallida), research advances and challenges: a review
title_full_unstemmed Traditional culinary uses, food applications, and potential health benefits of Peruvian Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora, Prosopis pallida), research advances and challenges: a review
title_short Traditional culinary uses, food applications, and potential health benefits of Peruvian Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora, Prosopis pallida), research advances and challenges: a review
title_sort traditional culinary uses food applications and potential health benefits of peruvian mesquite prosopis juliflora prosopis pallida research advances and challenges a review
topic Mesquite
Prosopis juliflora
Prosopis pallida
Food application
Nutritional value
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s42779-025-00270-w
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