COMPOSITION AND POTENTIAL USES OF MESQUITE PODS (PROSOPIS-PALLIDA L) - COMPARISON WITH CAROB PODS (CERATONIA-SILIQUA L)

The composition of mesquite pods (Prosopis pallida L) (PP), a legume c ultivated in the large desert areas of Peru, was studied. These fruits have at the present time very little practical or commercial use. Tak ing into account the morphological and compositional similarities to M editerranean carob pods (Ceratonia siliqua L) (CS), which are widely u sed in the food industry, some applications of PP are considered. PP s hows better nutritional properties than CS, mainly owing to its lower polyphenolic content and higher protein digestibility.