Abstract

Latex from Brosimum species has several indications in folk medicine and is also largely ingested at the Amazon Region with food purposes, to replace cow’s milk and as base for chewing gum. The presence of inorganic substances with potential to be irritating or toxic were analysed by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence multielement technique for the three main latex producing species: Brosimum potabile, Brosimum utile subsp ovatifolium and Brosimum parinarioides subsp parinarioides. From 26 elements detected, including toxic metals as chromium and manganese, nine elements were quantified: Na, Mg, Al, P, Cl, K, Ca, Se and Rb. They reflect some specific patterns from Amazonian soil and are species fingerprint. Some elements, as calcium, essential to the human diet, were observed in large amounts, but with great variation among species, as also within species. The inter and intraspecies variation on the essential elements and the presence of toxic metals, indicates that the use as food should not be recommended and the regulation and control is strongly suggested.

Keywords: Brosimum; Moraceae; Amazon; Inorganic composition; EDXRF