Mexico City, May 12. Experts from the Autonomous University of Chapingo (UACh), a public educational property of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, have been able to grow ahuatl, a pre-Hispanic food collected by Mesoamerican cultures, cleanly and sustainably in ponds.
Its name comes from the Nahuatl words “atl” (water) and “huautli” (seed of happiness or amaranth), hence its resemblance to the grain, meaning “water amaranth” and also known as “water amaranth”. “Mexican Caviar.”
Higenio Francisco Arias Velázquez, manager of the Chapingo Greenhouse Aquarium, explained that it is a food that comes from insect eggs, specifically the oxycod-larvae of the genus Ephitriidae or aquatic bug, dating back to the pre-Hispanic period.
Ahuautle is native to the waters of the state of Mexico and has historical, cultural and nutritional value because it is 80 percent protein and no fat. These qualities make it a nutritious alternative to people’s food, he asserted.
However, he pointed out that this food is experiencing challenges as a result of habitat loss, pollution and the disappearance of water bodies and changes in soil, reproduction and changing consumer tastes.
In this situation, Arias Velázquez explained that the UACh designed special ponds for the reproduction and protection of the Ahuautle, to ensure the perpetuation of healthy food for current and future generations.
He emphasized that the research could be scaled and replicated in a sustainable way by cultivating it in these lakes, such as El Caracol, El Fusible, Lake Nabor Carrillo and ejitos where water is available.
Research results have revealed that eggs can be consumed during clean breeding, as confirmed by a bioassay carried out at the university, as contaminating agents have been identified in some cases.
On the other hand, the expert noted that the field work carried out at UACh has revealed that there are currently six species of ahuatil, one of which is Corycella texcocana.
Furthermore, he emphasized that the university not only explores the ex situ reproduction of Ahuatl and its environment, but also explores the technologies and cultural knowledge rooted around this water bug.
The ahuautle played a central role in ceremonies dedicated to Huehuetéotl-Xiuhtecuhtli, the god of fire, symbolizing the connection between humanity and the divine, symbolizing the importance of fertility, renewal, and the cycle of life in the worldview. Mesoamerican.
He said the greenhouse aquarium has all the necessary components to breed ahuatil.
“We have already proven it from science and we have species that need to be preserved and protected in a sustainable way,” he observed.
