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benefits to consumer health [16]. Particularly interesting are the medicinal properties of the stem bark and the fruit of M. cauliflora (DC.) O. Berg, which are very effective against diarrhea, chronic amygdalas inflammation and inductors of skin regeneration [17], attributable to its antioxidants content, especially polyphenols. However, the various biological activities of these materials still lack detailed studies for the development of food products, pharmaceuticals or cosmetics with bioactive properties.

      Vitex cymosa (Bertero), from Lamiaceae Family, is a little tree known as “Taruma” or “pechiche” that grows in Amazon areas of Brazil and Bolivia. Although it has been scarcely studied, potential bioactive compounds may be obtained from its essential oils (such as flavonoids, iridoid glycosides, diterpenoides). Some preparations of this plant are used in folk medicine as antidiarrheic and are currently being investigated for use in specific pest control programs [18].

      Also from Lamiaceae family, “Vira vira negra” or Hyptis spicigera, is employed as febrifuge, expectorant and parasiticide. Its essential oil is used as an insect repellent [19, 20].

      2.2.2 Central South America Semiarid Regions

      Species from Apocynaceae family are world-wide distributed and have been used since antiquity in South American folk medicine as antifebrifuge against malaria and as antiasthmatic. Chemical studies have shown the presence of several alkaloids in its bark, used in modern medicine, such as reserpine with hypotensive properties or cardiotonic glycosides, and alkaloids of some species (catharantus) have been shown to be effective in the chemotherapy of certain types of cancer [21].

      Particularly, it is less known that barks infusions of Aspidosperma triternatum (Rojas Acosta), known as “cacha”, or “quebracho blanco lagunero”, and from Mandevilla cuspidata (Rusby) Woodson, known as “comida de socori”, both from Apocynaceae family, have been employed against diarrhea in popular Bolivian medicin.

      Flowers infusions of “Chichapi” or “tala” Celtis spinosa (Gill. et Planchon) from Ulmaceae family, are against diarrhea, and bark extracts are antiseptic [22].

Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) DC, known as “vira vira blanca” or “Marcela” is from Asteraceae family and grows in South Brasil and Uruguay. The flowers have a pleasant aroma and the infusion of their leaves relieves headaches, cramps and stomach problems. It is currently used in infusions such as digestive, carminative, antispasmodic, cholagogue and emmenagogue. They are also attributed properties of reducing cholesterol and antidiarrheic. “Marcela” extracts are components of many “bitter” popular, which is its main commercial use.

      2.2.3 Northern South America, Central America and Caribbean

Two species of the family Bignonaceae originated in these tropical regions are considered for pharmaceutical and food uses: Crescentia cujete L. (Figures 2.2a–e) and Crescentia alata Khunt. The majority of the Colombian Caribbean population only use the bark of the fruit for homemade crafts and utensils (Figure 2.2f). However, they are used by native communities since ancient times for the treatment of alopecia and for animal nutrition, prepared and presented in different ways to treat each human need [23]. In his book of natural medicines Geronimo Pompa, reported the benefits of the fruit pulp (or its syrup), the root and bark of the trunk, to promote menstruation and treat sympthoms of blenorrhea, ulcerative phthisis and apostemas.

      The Colombian vademecum of medicinal plants includes C. cujete L. (totumo) for infections treatment but it does not mention its traditional use or pharmacological activity against alopecia nor includes C. alata, a plant also reported for traditional uses and pharmacological properties. Flavonoids, steroids and triterpenes were analyzed in the fruit epicarp [24]. furanonaftoquinones from C. cujete L. have selective activity against the DNA of cancerous tumors [25, 26]. It also contains 16 iridoids among those the derivatives of catalpol and of aucubin, agnuside, ajugol, crescentosides A, B and C and iridoid glycosides with the activity of inhibiting the growth of skin cells keratinocytes, effective to treat psoriasis, having the same effect as the commercial antisoriatic drug anthralin [25]. Iridoids and furanonaftoquinones present in the fruit of C. cujete L. were considered the active principles in the alopecia treatment. However, there is still a lack of systematic information on specific bioactive molecules in each part of the plant with medicinal properties [26, 27].

These kinds of plants have a great potential in the production of functional cosmetics, which occupy a prominent place in the consumer interests and large cosmetics manufacturers are introducing more organic and natural ingredients in commercial products [28]. Besides the properties of C. cujete L. leaves infusion used for stoping hair loss and promoting hair growth, different communities use these leaves in baths, washes and compresses to control dermatomycosis, dermatitis, bumps, leucorrhoea, scrapes, tumors and other diseases [29, 30]. The immature or green pulp of the fruit has been used to treat cough, headaches and pneumonia and as laxative, antipyretic, bruises, for menstrual disorders, burns, herpes, tetanus, seizures, prostate disorders [31–33]. Other traditional reported uses of the pulp include cervical cancer treatment, and antiproliferative and apoptotic effect on human lymphocytes cultured in vitro was observed [33].

Figure 2.2 C. cujete L. tree (a), leaves (b and c), flower (d), fruit (e) and commercial fruit products (f).

      Regarding the uses as a food ingredient, an emulsion can be obtained from C. cujete L. pulp, which is an authentic vegetable “milk” without lactose or cholesterol, rich in omega 6, omega 9 and protein of good nutritional quality. This milky emulsion represents a healthy alternative with functional properties and with innovative potential for the production of foods and pharmaceuticals from native natural resources [34]. However, according to a work carried out in Nigeria, it also contains antinutritional substances (some alkaloids and phenols) that, if not properly handled, can be toxic [35]. The root and pulp of the fruit are toxic for birds, small mammals and cattle. The pulp has no antibacterial activity, but induces neoplasm of the leukemia lymphoma type in 25% of the mice subjected to the administration of the syrup.

      2.2.4 Exploitation of Undervalued Resources From Fabaceae Family to Obtain Hydrocolloids

      Gums, or hydrocolloids are currently used worldwide as ingredients in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations, additives in many food or pharmaceutical excipients, as emulsifiers, film formers, foaming, thickening, stabilizer, filler agents, binders, diluents, disintegrants in tablets, coatings or carriers for drug delivery, among others [37]. Seeds and exudates from Ibero-America native plants have been recently characterized as sources of gums in order to find local alternatives to commercially available ones [36].

      Several of the gum producer trees recently reported in Latin America conform the landscape of economically vulnerable areas [38]. In the following section we will discuss the characteristics and potentiality of hydrocolloids from some of these regional seeds (espina corona and vinal) and plant exudates (from Prosopis alba Griseb, Fabaceae Family).

       2.2.4.1 Gums From Native Fabaceae Family Seeds

      The endosperm of seeds from “Espina corona”, Gleditsia amorphoides Griseb., Taub., and vinal Prosopis ruscifolia Griseb., both belonging to Fabaceae Family, contain gums, ECG and VG, respectively. The structure and functionalities of these gums are similar to those of very common and widely used galactomannans such as guar gum, GG [39].

      The genus Gleditsia, belonging to the family of Legumes-Cesalpinoideas, has only few species with a worldwide distribution. G. amorphoides

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