Plant Diversity, Nutritional Aspects and Food Security

Abstract

The proposal to discuss the theme "Plant diversity, nutritional aspects and food security" is constructed from the current reality on the various contexts of human needs, where the lack of food or healthier eating habits increases in the national scenario and eventually reflect on physical and spiritual health. Among the alternatives to overcome these conditions is the expansion of knowledge about native plants and specifically the flora of the savannah. The plants perform several ecosystem services and here the focus is on the supply services in which the plants are source of food, medicines, ornamentation. One of the classifications assigned to these plants is unconventional food plants (PANC) because they are not consumed frequently, because there are few studies on production processes, and they have nutritional potential, being made available most of the time free of charge by nature. As for medicinal and ornamental plants, they establish a direct relationship with the National Policy of Integrative and Complementary Practices for the SUS, which authorizes the use of medicinal plants, chromotherapy and aromatherapy as complementary treatments. It is thus hoped that the expansion of knowledge about plant diversity available in the Cerrado will contribute to expand the diversification of nutritional sources, ensuring greater food security for Southern Mato Grosso families, as well as to awaken in each one the commitment and responsibility to protect the biomes of our state, thus assuming the role of human beings disseminating seeds and life.