https://doi.org/10.17113/ftb.59.03.21.6683

Biological Activity of Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis Linneo) and Potential Uses in Human Health: A Review

Denny Miley Cárdenas Sierra^1§, Lyz Jenny Gómez Rave² and Javier Andres Soto^1§*

¹Universidad of Santander, Faculty of Health Sciences, BIOGEN Research Group, Avenida 4 calle 10N-61, 540001 Cúcuta, Colombia

²Institución Universitaria Colegio Mayor de Antioquia, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bioscience Research Group, Tv. 78 #65 - 46, 050001 Medellín, Colombia

Article history:

Received: 2 March 2020

Accepted: 13 July 2021

Key words:

antioxidant effect, bioresource, essential fatty acids, immunomodulation, polyunsaturated fatty acids, seeds

Summary:

Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis Linneo) is an ancestral plant originating in the Amazon jungle that has been adopted as a food source due to its high nutritional value, which has gradually been attributed with potential benefits for human health. Diverse prospective studies have evaluated the effect of consuming components from the plant, derivatives from its seeds, leaves and shell on preventing the risk of cardiovascular disease, chronic inflammatory disease, dermatitis and controlling tumor proliferation, especially given its recognized high content of essential fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and vitamin E, showing antioxidant, hypolipemic, immunomodulation, and emollient activity, as well as the capacity to remove heavy metals from aqueous solutions. This review offers a complete description of the information existing on the use and biological activity of P. volubilis L., based on its essentially lipid components and evidenced on its use in the field of human health, in prevention, therapeutic, and nutritional contexts, along with industrial uses, making it a promising bioresource. 

^§Both authors contributed equally