NOTICE: Hard copies of the Australian New Crops Newsletter are available from the publisher, Dr Rob Fletcher. Details of availability are included in the
Advice on Publications Available.The commercial bushfood industry is developing and marketing a number of new foods with delicious and interesting flavours.
However, many of the Australian native plants being used are still somewhat unfamiliar to potential consumers.
Hence, RIRDC is supporting the industry by providing funds for research into bushfood safety.
The three-year project began in 1998.
The research is being carried out by:
Professor Ron Wills
University of Newcastle
PO Box 77
Ourimbah NSW 2258
Telephone: 02 4348 4140
Facsimile: 02 4348 4148
Email: ftrbhw@ec.newcastle.edu.au
jointly with
Drs Merv and Elwyn Hegarty
Plantchem Pty Ltd
5 Jenkinson Street
Indooroopilly Queensland 4068
Telephone: 07 3378 3530 or 07 3378 5964
Facsimile: 07 3378 3530
Email: hegarty.plantchem@uq.net.au
To allow the most effective use of the available funds, the analyses in this study will be almost entirely restricted to determining whether any of the commercial bushfoods listed below contain certain compounds which may be considered undesirable.
The species of particular commercial interest are:
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Bush tomato |
In the first year, the research has consisted of searches of industry, scientific and popular publications, for reports of experiences of use of Australian native plants in foods, beverages and medicines.
These include records of use by aboriginal peoples.
However, for some of the species now in production for bushfood, reliable records of use are very limited. This is partly because many of the plants were differently named in different cultures, and all the written records are comparatively recent.
Various people in the bushfood industry and in research organisations have also been contacted for information and personal comments, and further people will be contacted, as these enquiries continue into 1999.
In the second year, various analyses of the listed bushfoods from commercial sources are being conducted at The University of Newcastle.
For many of the bushfoods there is still little or no information as to their chemical constituents, and these analyses will provide some guide as to whether further tests may be advisable.
However, during the first year's research, there were very few indications that the selected commercial bushfoods used in normal quantities in mixed diets might contain substances which were likely to cause problems to processors or consumers, with the possible exception of people with unusual intolerance to constituents of particular foods.
These might either result from the foods themselves, or when they are combined with ingredients such as nuts, gluten in flour etc., which may produce adverse reactions in some people.
In the third year, a final report will be prepared for RIRDC, and various results of the study presented in industry, popular and scientific publications, and in forums for advice to relevant special-interest groups.
Advice will also be given, where possible, regarding protocols for harvesting, handling and preparation for use, and avoiding adverse reactions that might result, as with the more common foods, through excessive consumption or individual intolerances.
To develop a strong reputation for reliability of individual bushfoods, members of the industry have already been very active in selecting, and sometimes breeding, from the most attractive and tasty varieties of native plants, while taking into account their suuitability for commercial propagation and horticultural practices.
It is well known that some of the flavour and other constituents of native species can vary substantially in quality and quantity, and so information which documents these variations has often been used in selection of plant material for commercial propagation.
During the first year, extensive information has also been obtained by, or freely offered to, the researchers, regarding experiences with the species listed above.
As well, much information has been provided on other bushfood species which appear to have commercial potential, or are highly regarded in areas where they grow, but are not currently in commercial production.
As the industry is still developing, and building experience of consumer preferences, the researchers welcome discussion from anyone able to offer comments or concerns on matters relevant to bushfood safety, which might be addressed during the research programme.
Any claims made by authors in the Australian New Crops Newsletter are presented by the Editors in good faith. Readers would be wise to critically examine the circumstances associated with any claims to determine the applicability of such claims to their specific set of circumstances. This material can be reproduced, with the provision that the source and the author (or editors, if applicable) are acknowledged and the use is for information or educational purposes. Contact with the original author is probably wise since the material may require updating or amendment if used in other publications. Material sourced from the Australian New Crops Newsletter cannot be used out of context or for commercial purposes not related to its original purpose in the newsletter
Contact: Dr Rob Fletcher, School of Land and Food, The University of Queensland Gatton College, 4345; Telephone: 07 5460 1311 or 07 5460 1301; Facsimile: 07 5460 1112; International facsimile: 61 7 5460 1112; Email:
r.fletcher@mailbox.uq.edu.au[
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GK; latest update 6 June 1999 by: RF