The underutilized, oleaginous crop Plukenetia volubilis L. has a remarkable lipid composition and a large potential for further domestication, alleviation of malnutrition, and integration into sustainable food production systems. Current global challenges include climate change, increasing population size, lack of food security, malnutrition, and degradation of arable lands. In this context, a reformation of our food production systems is imperative. Underutilized crops, or orphan crops, can provide valuable traits for this purpose, e.g., climate change resilience, nutritional benefits, cultivability on marginal lands, and improvement of income opportunities for smallholders. Plukenetia volubilis L. (Euphorbiaceae)—sacha inchi—is a ‘lost crop’ of the Incas native to the Amazon basin. Its oleaginous seeds are large, with a high content of ω-3, and -6 fatty acids (ca. 50.5, and 34.1%, of the lipid fraction, respectively), protein, and antioxidants. Culinarily, the seeds are nut-like and the crop has been associated with humans since Incan times. Research has particularly been undertaken in seed biochemistry, and to some extent in phylogeny, genetics, and cultivation ecology, but attention has been unevenly distributed, causing knowledge gaps in areas such as ethnobotany, allergenicity, and sustainable cultivation practices. Recently, seed size evolution and molecular drivers of the fatty acid synthesis and composition have been studied, however, further research into the lipid biosynthesis is desirable. Targeted breeding has not been undertaken but might be especially relevant for yield, sensory qualities, and cultivation with low environmental impact. Similarly, studies of integration into sustainable management systems are of highest importance. Here, present knowledge on P. volubilis is reviewed and a general framework for conducting research on underutilized crops with the aim of integration into sustainable food production systems is presented.

中文翻译：

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Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.)——从失去的印加作物到解决全球挑战的一部分？

未充分利用的含油作物 Plukenetia volubilis L. 具有显着的脂质成分，在进一步驯化、缓解营养不良和融入可持续粮食生产系统方面具有巨大潜力。当前的全球挑战包括气候变化、人口规模增加、缺乏粮食安全、营养不良和耕地退化。在这种情况下，我们的粮食生产系统的改革势在必行。未充分利用的作物或孤儿作物可以为此提供有价值的特性，例如气候变化适应力、营养效益、边际土地上的可耕种以及增加小农的收入机会。Plukenetia volubilis L. (Euphorbiaceae) - sacha inchi - 是亚马逊盆地原产的印加人“丢失的作物”。其油质种子大，ω-3含量高，和 -6 脂肪酸（分别占脂质部分的 50.5% 和 34.1%）、蛋白质和抗氧化剂。在烹饪上，种子像坚果，自印加时代以来，这种作物就与人类联系在一起。特别是在种子生物化学方面进行了研究，并在一定程度上在系统发育、遗传学和栽培生态学方面进行了研究，但注意力分布不均，导致在民族植物学、过敏原和可持续栽培实践等领域存在知识空白。最近，已经研究了脂肪酸合成和组成的种子大小演变和分子驱动因素，然而，需要对脂质生物合成进行进一步研究。尚未进行有针对性的育种，但可能与产量、感官品质和低环境影响的栽培特别相关。相似地，纳入可持续管理系统的研究最为重要。在这里，回顾了有关 P. volubilis 的现有知识，并提出了对未充分利用的作物进行研究的总体框架，目的是融入可持续的粮食生产系统。