Filling the gaps: Advancing neglected and underutilised species and knowledge systems in Thailand for food security and environmental sustainability

Neglected and underutilised species (NUS) offer potential to enhance nutrition, food security, and environmental sustainability. Of the over 30,000 edible plant species that exist globally, fewer than 150 are commercially cultivated, accelerating the loss of agrobiodiversity and the homogenisation o...

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Main Authors: Saiyasombat, Worakrit, Chathiran, Wimonphan, Chimasangkanan, Jaruwan, Bromage, Sabri, Borelli, Teresa, Hunter, Danny, Srichamnong, Warangkana
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Roskilde University 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/178414
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author Saiyasombat, Worakrit
Chathiran, Wimonphan
Chimasangkanan, Jaruwan
Bromage, Sabri
Borelli, Teresa
Hunter, Danny
Srichamnong, Warangkana
author_browse Borelli, Teresa
Bromage, Sabri
Chathiran, Wimonphan
Chimasangkanan, Jaruwan
Hunter, Danny
Saiyasombat, Worakrit
Srichamnong, Warangkana
author_facet Saiyasombat, Worakrit
Chathiran, Wimonphan
Chimasangkanan, Jaruwan
Bromage, Sabri
Borelli, Teresa
Hunter, Danny
Srichamnong, Warangkana
author_sort Saiyasombat, Worakrit
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Neglected and underutilised species (NUS) offer potential to enhance nutrition, food security, and environmental sustainability. Of the over 30,000 edible plant species that exist globally, fewer than 150 are commercially cultivated, accelerating the loss of agrobiodiversity and the homogenisation of food systems. Using Thailand as a case study, this review highlights five NUS—yellow burrhead (Limnocharis flava Buch.), Ceylon oak (Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Merr.), bastard oleaster (Elaeagnus latifolia L.), star apple (Chrysophyllum cainito L.) and hogweed (Physalis angulata var. angulata)—for their high nutritional and medicinal potential. These species can diversify diets, promote sustainable agriculture, and revive indigenous food cultures, but their adoption is hindered by limited infrastructure, low consumer awareness, and insufficient inclusion in food composition databases. Integrating NUS into these databases supports accurate dietary assessment, informed public health policies and product innovation. By combining scientific research with traditional knowledge, NUS can contribute to resilient, culturally relevant, and sustainable food systems in Thailand and globally.
format Journal Article
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institution CGIAR Consortium
language Inglés
publishDate 2025
publishDateRange 2025
publishDateSort 2025
publisher Roskilde University
publisherStr Roskilde University
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spelling CGSpace1784142025-12-02T02:11:15Z Filling the gaps: Advancing neglected and underutilised species and knowledge systems in Thailand for food security and environmental sustainability Saiyasombat, Worakrit Chathiran, Wimonphan Chimasangkanan, Jaruwan Bromage, Sabri Borelli, Teresa Hunter, Danny Srichamnong, Warangkana food systems agrobiodiversity biodiversity underutilized species food composition food consumption indigenous peoples' knowledge Neglected and underutilised species (NUS) offer potential to enhance nutrition, food security, and environmental sustainability. Of the over 30,000 edible plant species that exist globally, fewer than 150 are commercially cultivated, accelerating the loss of agrobiodiversity and the homogenisation of food systems. Using Thailand as a case study, this review highlights five NUS—yellow burrhead (Limnocharis flava Buch.), Ceylon oak (Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Merr.), bastard oleaster (Elaeagnus latifolia L.), star apple (Chrysophyllum cainito L.) and hogweed (Physalis angulata var. angulata)—for their high nutritional and medicinal potential. These species can diversify diets, promote sustainable agriculture, and revive indigenous food cultures, but their adoption is hindered by limited infrastructure, low consumer awareness, and insufficient inclusion in food composition databases. Integrating NUS into these databases supports accurate dietary assessment, informed public health policies and product innovation. By combining scientific research with traditional knowledge, NUS can contribute to resilient, culturally relevant, and sustainable food systems in Thailand and globally. 2025-11-21 2025-12-01T14:56:45Z 2025-12-01T14:56:45Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/178414 en Open Access application/pdf Roskilde University Saiyasombat, W.; Chathiran, W.; Chimasangkanan, J.; Bromage, S.; Borelli, T.; Hunter, D.; Srichamnong, W. (2025) Filling the gaps: Advancing neglected and underutilised species and knowledge systems in Thailand for food security and environmental sustainability. Journal of Sustainability 1(2): p. 1-29. ISSN: 3052-3761
spellingShingle food systems
agrobiodiversity
biodiversity
underutilized species
food composition
food consumption
indigenous peoples' knowledge
Saiyasombat, Worakrit
Chathiran, Wimonphan
Chimasangkanan, Jaruwan
Bromage, Sabri
Borelli, Teresa
Hunter, Danny
Srichamnong, Warangkana
Filling the gaps: Advancing neglected and underutilised species and knowledge systems in Thailand for food security and environmental sustainability
title Filling the gaps: Advancing neglected and underutilised species and knowledge systems in Thailand for food security and environmental sustainability
title_full Filling the gaps: Advancing neglected and underutilised species and knowledge systems in Thailand for food security and environmental sustainability
title_fullStr Filling the gaps: Advancing neglected and underutilised species and knowledge systems in Thailand for food security and environmental sustainability
title_full_unstemmed Filling the gaps: Advancing neglected and underutilised species and knowledge systems in Thailand for food security and environmental sustainability
title_short Filling the gaps: Advancing neglected and underutilised species and knowledge systems in Thailand for food security and environmental sustainability
title_sort filling the gaps advancing neglected and underutilised species and knowledge systems in thailand for food security and environmental sustainability
topic food systems
agrobiodiversity
biodiversity
underutilized species
food composition
food consumption
indigenous peoples' knowledge
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/178414
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