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Multipurpose Benefits of an Underexplored Species Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.): A Critical Review

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Abstract

Sustainable food production through integrating knowledge of indigenous and local communities has significance for meeting the UN-SDGs (sustainable development goals). The majority of the food supply comes from cereal crops, which are exceptionally delicate to changing weather and climate conditions. Therefore, climate-resilient underutilized local crops may be a good option to be considered as potential crops for dietary diversification. The present review on Portulaca oleracea L. commonly called Purslane, having remarkable nutritional, medicinal, and pharmacological, and phytoremediation properties show significance. It is highly nutritious and has all essential minerals, vitamins, and proteins. About 93% of water, 3% of carbohydrates, and 2% of protein are present in raw Purslane. It contains dietary minerals like potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, etc. Potassium is the most abundant electrolyte present in Purslane. It contains the highest content of vitamin among green leafy vegetables. There are four different types of omega-3 fatty acids found in Purslane. This is required for typical wellbeing, improvement and anticipation of various cardiovascular illnesses, and upkeep of a sound resistant framework. Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) species is highly nutritious and can be easily grown with high production efficiency in tropical, subtropical, and underdeveloped districts of the world. The species can be easily cultivated and act as an ideal substitute for resource-poor farmers in the developing region. Considering immense nourishing benefits, this species has great potential for its utilization in the future under changing climate. Further, the species has a huge scope that can be advantageous for accomplishing the food and health benefits at the local and regional levels and may preserve agro-biodiversity for sustainable development.

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Acknowledgements

Authors are grateful to the Head, IESD, and Director, IESD for encouragements. A.S. is thankful to Jawaharlal Nehru Trust for awarding a Doctoral Scholarship.

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  1. Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India

    Rajani Srivastava, Vineet Srivastava & Ajeet Singh

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Srivastava, R., Srivastava, V. & Singh, A. Multipurpose Benefits of an Underexplored Species Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.): A Critical Review. Environmental Management 72, 309–320 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-021-01456-z

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