Nutritional and bioactive potential of Myrtaceae fruits during ripening

Influence of fruit stages on chemical compositions, phytochemicals, and antioxidant activity of wood apple (Feronia limonia (L.) Swingle)

The Feronia limonia (L.) Swingle is an underappreciated tropical fruit, contains several vitamins, minerals, and bioactive substances, yet it has received significantly less attention. The fruit is edible at all stages (unripe, intermediate, and ripe); however, it is only utilized in very limited cuisine recipes. The study's goal is to examine the fruit's chemical compositions, phytochemical content, and antioxidant activity over three stages. Since the fruit is consumed from unripe to ripe, our research demonstrates the scientific validity of its medical properties at each stage. The chemical composition of F. limonia fruit was examined at three stages, including nutritional composition, carbohydrate profile, and vitamin and mineral content. The fruit's phytochemicals (Total phenolic and total flavonoid content) were assessed using a spectrophotometer. The antioxidant properties of DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazylradical scavenging), FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power), MCA (metal chelating activity), and RC (reducing capacity) were measured. Pearson's correlation coefficients and multiple linear regressions were used to investigate the link between phytochemical components and antioxidant activity. The study found that protein, fiber, ash, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and vitamin C content declined by 44.7 percent, 47.3 percent, 18.16 percent, 20.3 percent, 8.7 percent, 32.4 percent, and 20.0 percent, respectively, as full ripening progressed. Sucrose (1377.2 mg/100 g) was the predominant sugar in the ripe stage, but fructose (668.72 mg/100 g) was prominent in the unripe stage. During ripening, sucrose concentration rose from 288.1 mg/100g to 1377.2 mg/100g, whereas other sugar contents fell. Similarly, the unripe stage demonstrated increased antioxidant activity, followed by the intermediate and ripe stages. Individually, phenol and flavonoid compounds shown a strong Pearson's association with the antioxidant activity of the fruit, including DPPH scavenging activity (0.945, 0.915), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (0.980, 0.907), metal chelating activity (MCA) (0.953, 0.914), and reducing capacity (RC) (0.981, 0.906). The current study's findings could help the pharmaceutical and food processing sectors determine the optimal stage for bioactive ingredient extraction and direct intake.

Small and medium-scale biorefineries: biomass quantification and its bioeconomic potential in the Southern Coastal Territory of Bahia

Small and medium-scale biorefineries are processing facilities designed to produce a portfolio of value-added products with applications in different productive sectors. The Territory of the Southern Coast (TSC) of Bahia in Brazil has a high potential to provide agricultural and forest biomass for these bioindustries. This study focuses on quantifying the biomass of key agricultural crops in the TSC from 1999 to 2019, utilizing data from the Municipal Agricultural Production (MAP) survey conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). The biomass is subsequently categorized based on its applications in pharmaceutical and other industries, employing the Classification and Regression Tree (CART) algorithm, specifically using the Gini Index. Thus, our results reveal a noteworthy trend over 20 years through a time series analysis. For example, banana production (1.3 Mt) surpassed cocoa production (1.1 Mt) despite cocoa cultivation covering a vast 5.8 million hectares expanse compared to the smaller banana footprint. Cocoa and cassava are significant contributors, representing 41.95% and 30.51% of the total raw material, collectively constituting 72.46% of the TSC biomass. In addition, coffee biomass has been profiled as a raw material with potential applications across various industries, while bananas are oriented towards supplying pharmaceutical inputs. Forest species also have the potential for use in the pharmaceutical industry. In conclusion, small and medium-scale biorefineries can help increase agricultural and forest biomass use to provide inputs for various industries and guarantee positive social impacts for the population.

Sour, but acceptable: Taste responsiveness to five food-associated acids in zoo-housed white-faced sakis, Pithecia pithecia

White-faced sakis (Pithecia pithecia) are commonly considered as frugivores but are unusual among primates as they do not specialize on ripe fruits but rather include a high proportion of unripe fruits into their diet, even during seasons when ripe fruits are available. Using a two-bottle preference test of short duration we therefore assessed whether this dietary specialization affects the taste responsiveness and sour-taste tolerance of four adult white-faced sakis for five food-associated acids. We found taste preference thresholds of the sakis to be 1-10 mM for citric acid, 0.5-20 mM for ascorbic acid, 2-10 mM for malic acid, 0.1-1 mM for tannic acid, and 2-20 mM for acetic acid, respectively. When given the choice between a reference solution of 50 mM sucrose and mixtures containing varying concentrations of sucrose plus citric acid, the sakis displayed a high sour-taste tolerance and required only 100 mM of sucrose (when mixed with 10 mM citric acid) or 200 mM of sucrose (when mixed with 30 or 50 mM citric acid), respectively, to prefer the sweet-sour mixture over the purely sweet 50 mM sucrose reference solution. These results demonstrate that white-faced sakis have a well-developed taste sensitivity for food-associated acids which is not inferior to that of primates specializing on ripe fruits. Compared to other platyrrhine primates, the sakis displayed a markedly higher sour-taste tolerance. These results may therefore reflect an evolutionary adaptation to the dietary specialization of the white-faced sakis to sour-tasting unripe fruits.

Biocultural heritage of the Caatinga: a systematic review of Myrtaceae and its multiple uses

The Caatinga, an exclusively Brazilian biome, stands as a reservoir of remarkable biodiversity. Its significance transcends ecological dimensions, given the direct reliance of the local population on its resources for sustenance and healthcare. While Myrtaceae, a pivotal botanical family within the Brazilian flora, has been extensively explored for its medicinal and nutritional attributes, scant attention has been directed towards its contextual relevance within the Caatinga's local communities. Consequently, this inaugural systematic review addresses the ethnobotanical roles of Myrtaceae within the Caatinga, meticulously anchored in the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. We searched Scopus, MEDLINE/Pubmed, Scielo, and LILIACS. No date-range filter was applied. An initial pool of 203 articles was carefully scrutinized, ultimately yielding 31 pertinent ethnobotanical studies elucidating the utility of Myrtaceae amongst the Caatinga's indigenous populations. Collectively, they revealed seven distinct utilization categories spanning ~54 species and 11 genera. Psidium and Eugenia were the genera with the most applications. The most cited categories of use were food (27 species) and medicinal (22 species). The importance of accurate species identification was highlighted, as many studies did not provide enough information for reliable identification. Additionally, the potential contribution of Myrtaceae fruits to food security and human health was explored. The diversity of uses demonstrates how this family is a valuable resource for local communities, providing sources of food, medicine, energy, and construction materials. This systematic review also highlights the need for more ethnobotanical studies to understand fully the relevance of Myrtaceae species in the Caatinga, promoting biodiversity conservation, as well as support for local populations.

Fruits, seeds and leaves of guabijuzeiro (Myrcianthes pungens (O. Berg) D. Legrand): characteristics, uses and health benefits

Native fruit trees have potential for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries, which is widely used in folk medicine. Guabiju, known as guabijuzeiro (Myrcianthes pungens (O. Berg) D. Legrand) is a perennial tree that belongs to the family Myrtaceae, occurring in Brazil from São Paulo to Rio Grande do Sul, and other countries like Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina. This species demonstrates great commercial potential regarding the consumption of its fresh fruit or industrialized. Due to its importance is necessary to develop studies aimed at characterization (phenotypic, propagative, reproductive, chemical and nutritional), uses and applications. However, the available information has never been systematized and in this sense the objective of this review is to compile information about the species to guide further research. Regarding morphology, the guabijuzeiro is a semi-deciduous tree species, with propagation is carried out mainly through seeds and vegetative. Regarding reproductive aspects, there is a lack of studies that assess the mode of reproduction. The fruit can be consumed fresh or processed as ice cream, juice, freeze-dried or dehydrated. It is sweet and slightly acidic, low in calories, high in carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, calcium and potassium. Both the fruit, the seed and the leaves have high levels of bioactive compounds and high antioxidant capacity. The fruit pulp stands out for its carotenoids and phenolic compounds and the peel is rich in anthocyanins, especially in the mature phase, in addition to terpenoids. M. pungens has antimicrobial effects, gastroprotective activity and is promising in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases and against the side effects of cisplatin, an anticancer agent. Finally, there is a need for further studies with this species, mainly in the characterization of the leaves, uses and applications of the fruit.

Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity during ripening of Malpighia glabra fruits

Malpighia glabra (Malpighiaceae) is a cherry fruit popularly known as acerola or West Indian cherry, with nutraceuticals in each ripening stage. The changes in the phytoconstituents, pigments, sugars, organic acids, and antioxidants were investigated during the fruit ripening and expressed in fresh weight (FW). Gentisic acid was present in the highest concentration in IMGL fruits (11.43 mg/100 g), which was reduced to 0.362 mg/100 g over-ripening. The major flavonoid present was epicatechin, and the concentration increased from 2.11 mg/100 g in immature green large (IMGL) fruits to 19.52 mg/100 g in ripe fruits. Ascorbic acid was the most abundant organic acid present, and the highest concentration was found in the IMGL fruits (2030 mg/100 g). Fructose and galactose were found in the highest concentrations in overripe fruits (2290 mg/100 g and 1460 mg/100 g, respectively). The IMGL fruits showed the highest total antioxidant activity of 5.48% and 5.34% ascorbic acid equivalent in methanolic and aqueous extracts, respectively. Mineral quantification showed that the fruits were rich in potassium and calcium (150.43 and 12.90 mg/100 g, respectively). This study could identify the appropriate stage of acerola fruit for developing functional foods with maximum utilization of phytoconstituents in all stages.

Ripening stage impacts nutritional components, antiglycemic potential, digestibility and antioxidant properties of grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.) fruit

This study aimed to determine the nutritional components (macronutrients ans minerals) and α-amylase inhibition capacity of freeze-dried grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam) seeds (S) and pulp/peel (P) portions, at ripe and mid-ripe stages. In vitro digestion was also performed on S and P from grumixama to assess the bioaccessibility of total phenolic compound (TPC), flavonoids (TFC), and anthocyanins (TAC), as well as to examine their impact on antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP). The ripening process impacts the bioactive compounds and individual phenolics of S and P portions. The ripe S was source of myricetin and exhibited higher antioxidant activity, while mid-ripe S was high in flavonoids and cinnamic acid with higher antiglycemic potential. Ripe P showed higher soluble fiber, carbohydrate, TAC, and caffeic acid content, whereas mid-ripe P had increased mineral content (calcium, potassium, manganese), catechin, and TPC. After in vitro digestion, the P portion showed a bioaccessibility of total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) exceeding 40% at intestinal phase. In contrast, the S portions had better release of TPC and TFC and antioxidant activity at gastric phase. Considering the outstanding nutritional and biological properties of grumixama fruit, freeze-dried S and P portions from both ripening stages possess could be explored as valuable sources of nutrients and antioxidant compounds.

Guabijú (Myrcianthes pungens): A comprehensive evaluation of anthocyanins and free, esterified, glycosylated, and insoluble phenolic compounds in its peel, pulp, and seeds

Guabijú (Myrcianthes pungens) is a Brazilian native fruit from the Myrtaceae family, with few studies on the presence of phenolic compounds. Free, esterified, glycosylated, and insoluble phenolic compounds were studied for the first time in guabijú peel, pulp, and seed, by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS and LC-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS). Eighty-one phenolic compounds were tentatively identified in the three fractions, and eighteen were quantified using authentic standards. Furthermore, six anthocyanins were quantified in guabijú peel. Among the tentatively identified phenolic compounds, most belonged to the flavonols class. Major compounds quantified in the different fractions were ellagic and gallic acids, mainly in the hydrolyzed fractions. The peel presented the highest contents for most phenolic compounds, followed by the seed and pulp. This new data will add value to the fruit and facilitate the development of new products, as well as favoring and stimulating the consumption of the fruit.

Uncovering the phenolic diversity of Guabiju fruit: LC-MS/MS-based targeted metabolomics approach

The comprehensive composition of phenolic compounds (PC) from seven genotypes of guabiju were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detector and mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS/MS), and a targeted metabolomic approach was utilized to explore the PC-related similarities among the genotypes. Sixty-seven phenolic compounds were annotated and twenty-four were quantified in all genotypes of guabiju. The phenolic acids and anthocyanins were the major PC, representing more than 63% (w/w) of the total PC. Di-O-galloylquinic and tri-O-galloylquinic acids and ellagitannins were reported for the first time in guabiju. The results of hierarchical clustering and principal components analysis (PCA) suggested seven groups as suitable clusters to be formed according to phenolic composition. Eleven PC were selected as relevant for sample clustering, and six of them were highlighted as the most informative (in decreasing order of importance): epicatechin, catechin, (epi)gallocatechin gallate II, di-O-galloylquinic acid I, tri-O-galloylquinic acid and delphinidin 3-O-glucoside. To the best of our knowledge, this study contributes to the literature with the most complete phenolic profile of guabiju genotypes up to date. Moreover, guabiju susceptibility to fungal infestation related to PC composition was briefly discussed based on a parallel study using the same genotypes.

Wild food plants of Brazil: a theoretical approach to non-random selection

Ethnobiological investigations have focused on identifying factors that interfere with the criteria adopted for selection of plants, especially medicinal plants, by different populations, confirming the theory that plant selection is not random. However, regarding wild food plants, little effort has been made to confirm the theory in this context, especially in Brazil. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to contribute to the establishment of theoretical bases of the non-random selection of wild food plants by local populations in Brazil. For this, searches were made in 4 databases, namely, Web of Science, Scielo, Scopus and PubMed, using 8 sets of keywords in English and Portuguese in order to identify wild food plants occurring in Brazil. The steps were: application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, screening of articles, selection of studies based on risk of bias, data treatment and, finally, data analysis. Eighty articles met the inclusion criteria of this review. However, 45 of them were considered to present high risk of bias and thus 35 articles were kept for the identification of overused and underused families. The results were inferred through two different approaches (IDM and Bayesian). Annonaceae, Arecaceae, Basellaceae, Cactaceae, Capparaceae, Caryocaraceae, Myrtaceae, Passifloraceae, Rhamnaceae, Rosaceae, Sapotaceae, Talinaceae, and Typhaceae were considered overused. Eriocaulaceae, Orchidaceae, and Poaceae were considered underused. Therefore, considering that some families are more (or less) used than others, we confirm that the wild food plants occurring in Brazil, known and used by different populations, are not chosen at random.

Quality Attributes and Metabolic Profiles of Uvaia (Eugenia pyriformis), a Native Brazilian Atlantic Forest Fruit

The uvaia is a native Brazilian Atlantic Forest Myrtaceae fruit with a soft pulp, ranging from yellow to orange, with a sweet acidic flavor and sweet fruity aroma. Uvaias present consumption potential, but their physicochemical characteristics are still understudied. In this context, we describe herein the metabolites of uvaia that have been determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We screened 41 accessions and selected 10 accessions based on their diversity of physicochemical attributes, i.e., their fresh mass, height, diameter, yield, seed mass, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity. Twenty-six metabolites were identified, including sugars, acids, and amino acids. The results of this study comprise the most complete report on sugars and acids in uvaias. The relevant metabolites in terms of abundance were the reducing sugars glucose and fructose, as well as malic and citric acids. Furthermore, this study represents the first description of the uvaia amino acid profile and an outline of its metabolic pathways. Uvaia quality attributes differ among accessions, demonstrating high variability, diversity, and several possibilities in different economic areas. Our findings may help in future breeding programs in the selection of plant material for industries such as food and pharmaceuticals.

Efficiency of Different Solvents in the Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Plinia cauliflora and Syzygium cumini Fruits as Evaluated by Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry

Jabuticaba (Plinia cauliflora) and jambolan (Syzygium cumini) fruits are rich in phenolic compounds with antioxidant properties, mostly concentrated in the peel, pulp, and seeds. Among the techniques for identifying these constituents, paper spray mass spectrometry (PS-MS) stands out as a method of ambient ionization of samples for the direct analysis of raw materials. This study aimed to determine the chemical profiles of the peel, pulp, and seeds of jabuticaba and jambolan fruits, as well as to assess the efficiency of using different solvents (water and methanol) in obtaining metabolite fingerprints of different parts of the fruits. Overall, 63 compounds were tentatively identified in the aqueous and methanolic extracts of jabuticaba and jambolan, 28 being in the positive ionization mode and 35 in the negative ionization mode. Flavonoids (40%), followed by benzoic acid derivatives (13%), fatty acids (13%), carotenoids (6%), phenylpropanoids (6%), and tannins (5%) were the groups of substances found in greater numbers, producing different fingerprints according to the parts of the fruit and the different extracting solvents used. Therefore, compounds present in jabuticaba and jambolan reinforce the nutritional and bioactive potential attributed to these fruits, due to the potentially positive effects performed by these metabolites in human health and nutrition.

Bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory activity of native fruits from Brazil

The purpose of this study was to extract, identify, and quantify the phenolic compounds in grumixama (Eugenia brasilienses Lam.) and guabiju (Myrcianthes pungens), native fruits from southern region of Brazil, and to explore their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The phenolic compounds were extracted with acidified water and acidified methanol and evaluated for their bioactive constituents, antioxidant capacity, and anti-inflammatory properties. Spectrophotometric quantification shows tannins to be the most prevalent at 2.3 to 5.8 g/100g fresh fruit with acidified methanol containing higher concentrations of different phenolics than acidified water. HPLC analysis indicates that gallic acid, catechin, vanillic acid, and ellagic acid are the most prevalent phenolics in the two fruits extracts. Scavenging of DPPH and NO radicals showed inhibition by as much as 95% and 80%, respectively, at 2.5 gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/mL of the extract. At 50 μg GAE/mL, the release of pro-inflammatory molecules NO and IL-6 was significantly reduced with acidified methanol extract having higher inhibitory activity. Our results revealed that these native fruits, grown in the south of Brazil, are rich sources of phenolic compounds and have great antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

An Integrative Review on the Main Flavonoids Found in Some Species of the Myrtaceae Family: Phytochemical Characterization, Health Benefits and Development of Products

This integrative review aims to identify the main flavonoids present in some species of the Myrtaceae family. Studies published between 2016 and 2022 were selected, specifically those which were fully available and written in Portuguese, English, or Spanish, and which were related to the fruits araçá (Psidium cattleianum), cambuí (Myrciaria floribunda), gabiroba (Campomanesia xanthocarpa), jabuticaba (Plinia cauliflora), and jambolan (Syzygium cumini). Scientific studies were gathered and selected in Google Scholar, Scielo, and Science Direct indexed databases, out of which 14 were about araçá, 7 concerned cambuí, 4 were about gabiroba, 29 were related to jabuticaba, and 33 concerned jambolan, when we observed the pre-established inclusion criteria. Results showed that the anthocyanins, such as cyanidin, petunidin, malvidin, and delphinidin, were the mostly identified class of flavonoids in plants of the Myrtaceae family, mainly relating to the purple/reddish color of the evaluated fruits. Other compounds, such as catechin, epicatechin, quercetin, and rutin were also identified in different constituent fractions, such as leaves, peel, pulp, seeds, and in developed products, such as jams, desserts, wines, teas, and other beverages. It is also worth noting the positive health effects verified in these studies, such as anti-inflammatory qualities for jambolan, antidiabetic qualities for gabiroba, antioxidant qualities for araçá, and cardioprotective actions for jabuticaba, which are related to the presence of these phytochemicals. Therefore, it is possible to point out that flavonoids are important compounds in the chemical constitution of the studied plants of the Myrtaceae family, with promising potential in the development of new products by the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries due to their bioactive properties.

Effects of packaging and ripeness on plantain flour characteristics during storage

The increasing implication of plantain flour in various food formulations calls for the need to evaluate the effects of ripening stage, packaging materials, and storage duration on its proximal composition and functional properties. For this study, plantain flours were produced from the cultivar Alloga at unripe and semiripe stage 3. They were stored both in transparent polyethylene bags and in an opaque aluminum foil. Physicochemical analyses and functional characterization of the plantain flour were performed on samples taken prior to storage and on monthly basis for 6 months during storage. Ash and carbohydrate contents decreased while the yellowness and redness increased with ripening. Pasting viscosity drastically decreased with ripening. During storage, significant differences in color and among most functional characteristics were observed as a consequence of both storage duration and packaging materials. Based on this research, flour from semiripe plantain could be recommended for use in formulations requiring low viscosity. Besides, it is suggested to store plantain flours in opaque containers to reduce the variability in its properties, thus maintaining its original quality.

Nitric Oxide Acts as an Inhibitor of Postharvest Senescence in Horticultural Products

Horticultural products display fast senescence after harvest at ambient temperatures, resulting in decreased quality and shorter shelf life. As a gaseous signal molecule, nitric oxide (NO) has an important physiological effect on plants. Specifically, in the area of NO and its regulation of postharvest senescence, tremendous progress has been made. This review summarizes NO synthesis; the effect of NO in alleviating postharvest senescence; the mechanism of NO-alleviated senescence; and its interactions with other signaling molecules, such as ethylene (ETH), abscisic acid (ABA), melatonin (MT), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), hydrogen gas (H2), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and calcium ions (Ca2+). The aim of this review is to provide theoretical references for the application of NO in postharvest senescence in horticultural products.

Nutraceutic Potential of Bioactive Compounds of Eugenia dysenterica DC in Metabolic Alterations

The fruit and leaves of Eugenia dysenterica DC., locally known as cagaita, are rich in antioxidant glycosylated quercetin derivatives and phenolic compounds that have beneficial effects on diabetes mellitus, hypertension and general inflammation. We conducted a literature search to investigate the nutraceutical potentials of these phenolic compounds for treating obesity, diabetes mellitus and intestinal inflammatory disease. The phenolic compounds in E. dysenterica have demonstrated effects on carbohydrate metabolism, which can prevent the development of these chronic diseases and reduce LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol and hypertension. E. dysenterica also improves intestinal motility and microbiota and protects gastric mucosa, thereby preventing inflammation. However, studies are necessary to identify the mechanism by which E. dysenterica nutraceutical compounds act on such pathological processes to support future research.

Impact of drying method as pretreatment for extraction of bioactive compounds from jambolan (Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels)

Abstract Jambolan (Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels) is an under-explored fruit rich in polyphenols, which are associated with health benefits, such as increasing resistance to oxidative stress, inflammatory processes and cardiovascular, and platelet functions. These polyphenols can be obtained by extraction, but an efficient standard method remains a challenge. In this context, this work evaluated the impact of different pretreatments on jambolans to obtain bioactive compounds by aqueous extraction. An Air Circulation Oven (ACO) and Lyophilization (LYO) were used as pretreatments. In addition, the influence of mass, temperature, cycle, and time parameters were studied in the extraction methods used: Percolated Solid-Liquid (PSL), Conventional Solid-Liquid (CSL), and solid-liquid assisted by ultrasound (USL). The extraction yield was from 7.3% (ACO) to 46.3% (LYO), both using the PSL method. In addition, eleven phenolic compounds and six anthocyanins were detected by High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detector (HPLC-DAD), in expressive amounts of catechin and cyaniding in the LYO sample and, these extracts showed higher concentrations of bioactive compounds. The CSL method was more efficient on ACO samples and PSL on LYO samples. LYO extracts showed higher concentrations of bioactive compounds. Therefore, the use of a drying pretreatment results in extracts with a high antioxidant potential for application in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical markets.

Eugenunilones A–H: rearranged sesquiterpenoids from Eugenia uniflora

Six rearranged sesquiterpenoids (1–6) with four types of new polycyclic caged skeletons were isolated from Eugenia uniflora.

Biological activity of native Myrtaceae fruits from Chile as a potential functional food

Myrtaceae fruits (Myrceugenia obtusa, Luma apiculata, and Luma chequen) were used as food and medicine by Chilean indigenous people. This study aimed to evaluate the bioactive properties of these berry-type fruits. The antioxidant capacity determined by the FRAP assay varied between 10.4 and 646.9 mmol Fe⁺²/g, while the antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi was 0 - 33 mm and 0 - 7.33 mm, respectively. All the extracts were rich in polyphenols and showed low cytotoxicity. Overall, M. obtusa presented dissimilar results compared to those of L. apiculata and L. chequen, encouraging the use of these native fruits as food, nutraceutical, or pharmacological ingredients.

Physicochemical Composition and Characterization of Bioactive Compounds of Mulberry (Morus indica L.) Fruit During Ontogeny

Mulberry fruit is well recognized as one of the richest sources of bioactive compounds. We investigated the physicochemical composition and characterized the bioactive compounds during different ripening stages of mulberry (Morus indica) fruit and evaluated their anti-quorum sensing activity on Chromobacterium violaceum. The proximate components such as carbohydrates, proteins and lipids were found to be high in the ripe fruit compared to unripe and mid-ripe fruit. The ripe fruit contained higher content of total phenolics and flavonoids (336.05 and 282.55 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW), respectively). Epicatechin and resveratrol were the major polyphenols detected in the fruit with the range 5.13-19.46 and 4.07-14.45 mg/100 g FW, respectively. Chlorogenic acid and myricetin were predominant in the unripe and mid-ripe fruit (7.14 and 1.84 mg/100 g FW, respectively). The fruit was found to be an excellent source of anti-diabetic compound 1-deoxynojirimycin. The highest content of 1-deoxynojirimycin was present in the mid-ripe fruit, with a content of 2.91 mg/100 g FW. Furthermore, fruit extracts exhibited anti-quorum sensing activity against Chromobacterium violaceum by effectively inhibiting violacein production. Ripe fruit extracts showed the highest activity of 76.30% at 1 mg/mL and thus, could be used as a potent anti-quorum sensing agent. The results could be promising in the selection of appropriate developmental stages for M. indica fruit commercial exploitation in the food formulations rich in potential health components.

Screening of six medicinal plant species for antileishmanial activity

This study is aimed to investigate the in vitro anti-leishmanial activity of ethanolic, aqueous or dichloromethane extracts of leaves, flowers, fruits or roots, of six medicinal plant species, namely, Nectandra megapotamica, Brunfelsia uniflora, Myrcianthes pungens, Anona muricata, Hymenaea stigonocarpa and Piper corcovandesis. After isolation and analysis of chemical components by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS), the extracts were also tested for toxicity in J774.A1 macrophages and human erythrocytes. Phenolic acids, flavonoids, acetogenins, alkaloids and lignans were identified in these extracts. Grow inhibition of promastigotes forms of Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania braziliensis and the cytotoxicity in J774.A1 macrophages were estimated by the XTT method. The most promising results for L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis were shown by the ethanolic extract of the fruits of Hymenaea stigonocarpa and dichloromethane extract of the roots of Piper corcovadensis, with IC ₅₀ of 160 and 150 μg mL^-1, resp. Ethanolic extracts of A. muricata (leaf), B. uniflora (flower and leaf), M. pungens (fruit and leaf), N. megapotamica (leaf), and aqueous extract of H. stigonocarpa (fruit) showed IC ₅₀ > 170 μg mL^-1 for L. amazonensis and > 200 μg mL^-1 for L. braziliensis. The extracts exhibited low cytotoxicity towards J774.A1 macrophages with CC ₅₀ > 1000 μg mL^-1 and hemolytic activity from 0 to 46.1 %.

Chemical Physical Characterization and Profile of Fruit Volatile Compounds from Different Accesses of Myrciaria floribunda (H. West Ex Wild.) O. Berg through Polyacrylate Fiber

Among the many species of native fruit of Brazil that have been little explored, there is Myrciaria floribunda (also known as rumberry, cambuizeiro, or guavaberry), a species with significant variability, which has fruits of different colors (orange, red, and purple) when ripe. The physical-chemical characteristics evaluated were fruit weight (FW), seed weight (SW), pulp weight (PW), number of seeds (NS), longitudinal diameter (LD), transverse diameter (TD), format (LD/TD), hydrogen potential (pH), soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), and ratio (SS/TA); further, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of nine accesses of rumberry orchards were identified. The averages of the variables FW, SW, PW, NS, LD, TD, shape, and firmness were 0.76 g, 0.22 g, 0.54 g, 1.45, 10.06 mm, 9.90 mm, 1.02, 2.96 N, respectively. LD/TD data showed that the fruits have a slightly rounded shape (LD/TD = 1). The averages for pH, SS, TA, and SS/TA were 3.74, 17.58 Brix, 4.31% citric acid, and 4.31, respectively. The evaluated parameters indicated that the fruits can be consumed both in natura and industrialized, with the red-colored fruits presenting a good balance of SS/TA, standards demanded by the processing industries. Thirty-six VOCs were identified, with emphasis on the sesquiterpenes. Caryophyllene (21.6% to 49.3%) and γ-selinene (11.3% to 16.3%) were the most predominant compounds in rumberry fruits.

Jaboticaba berry: A comprehensive review on its polyphenol composition, health effects, metabolism, and the development of food products

Jaboticaba, a popular Brazilian berry, has been studied due to its relevant polyphenol composition, health benefits and potential use for the development of derived food products. Considering that around 200 articles have been published in recent years, this review aims to provide comprehensive and updated information, as well as a critical discussion on: (i) jaboticaba polyphenolic composition and extraction methods for their accurate determination; (ii) jaboticaba polyphenol's metabolism; (iii) biological effects of the fruit and the relationship with its polyphenols and their metabolites; (iv) challenges in the development of jaboticaba derived products. The determination of jaboticaba polyphenols should employ hydrolysis procedures during extraction, followed by liquid chromatographic analysis. Jaboticaba polyphenols, mainly anthocyanins and ellagitannins, are extensively metabolized, and their metabolites are probably the most important contributors to the relevant health effects associated with the fruit, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective and hypolipidemic. Most of the technological processing of jaboticaba fruit and its residues is related to their application as a colorant, antioxidant, antimicrobial and source of polyphenols. The scientific literature still lacks studies on the metabolism and bioactivity of polyphenols from jaboticaba in humans, as well as the effect of technological processes on these issues.

Chemical profile, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Miconia albicans (Sw.) Triana (Melastomataceae) fruits extract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Miconia albicans (Sw.) Triana has been widely used in Brazilian popular medicine for the treatment of several diseases. Aerial parts are used as an infusion to treat arthrosis and arthritis, to relieve rheumatic and stomach pains, and intestinal disorders due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic anti-nociceptive, digestive and hepatoprotective properties.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to characterize the of M. albicans (Sw.) Triana fruits extract (MAFRE) chemical profile and to evaluate its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities, as well as its toxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Maceration with methanol as liquid extractor was used to prepare MAFRE. M. albicans (Sw.) Triana fruits chemical composition was characterized by UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS and GC-FID (fatty acid methyl esters composition from lyophilized fruits). MAFRE antioxidant potential was evaluated in vitro using a combination of assays: Folin-Ciocalteu reducing capacity, DPPH^• and ABTS radical scavenging ability and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). In vitro antiproliferative activity was investigated in four human tumor cell lines (U251, 786-0, HT29 and MDA-MB-231) while the effect on the non-tumor cell viability was assessed in the VERO cell line using the on-step MTT assay. In addition, in vivo anti-inflammatory effect was assessed by Croton oil-induced ear edema in mice followed by myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity evaluation.

RESULTS

Thirty-five compounds were identified by UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Among it flavonoids derived from quercetin (8), myricetin (1), kaempferol (2), terpenoids (6) and other compounds (18). GC-FID analysis identified and quantified nine fatty acids: palmitic, stearic, arachidic, behenic, elaidic, oleic, eicosenoic, and linoleic acids. The most abundant fatty acids were polyunsaturated fatty acids (5.33 ± 0.17 mg g^-1), followed by saturated fatty acids (2.38 ± 0.07 mg g^-1) and monounsaturated fatty acids (1.74 ± 0.09 mg g^-1). The extract revealed high content of phenolic compounds (43.68 ± 0.50 mg GAE/g of extract), potent antioxidant, and ferrous chelating capacities. Morever, it proved to be non-toxic to the VERO cells, not affecting cells viability (95% of viable cells). No antiproliferative effect against human tumor cell lines were found. Furthermore, MAFRE significantly (p<0.05) reduced ear edema (≈35%) and MPO activity (84.5%) having a statistical effect similar to traditional steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, the results evidenced that M. albicans fruit extract has antioxidant properties, a higher concentration of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, fatty acids, and also topical anti-inflammatory activity with low toxicity of extract on VERO cells. Through the ethnomedicinal study, these findings supporting the popular use of M. albicans, but also highlight that not only aerial parts and leaves deserve attention, but the fruits also have anti-inflammatory proprieties and can be a source of phenolic compounds and other substances with potential health benefices.

Bioactive Compounds from Jambolan (Syzygium cumini (L.)) Extract Concentrated by Ultra- and Nanofiltration: a Potential Natural Antioxidant for Food

Jambolan is an unexplored fruit rich in bioactive compounds like anthocyanins, catechin, and gallic acid. Thus, the extraction of bioactive compounds allows adding value to the fruit. In this context, the present study reports the recovery and concentration of jambolan fruit extract by ultra and nanofiltration for the first time. Acidified water was used to extract polyphenols from the pulp and peel of jambolan. The extracts were concentrated using ultrafiltration and nanofiltration membranes with nominal molecular weight cut-off ranging from 180 to 4000 g mol^-1. Total monomeric anthocyanin, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity were analyzed. Phenolic compounds were quantified, and anthocyanins were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode-array detection and mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS). Concentration factors higher than 4.0 were obtained for anthocyanins, gallic acid, and catechin after nanofiltration of the extracts. Other compounds such as epicatechin, p-Coumaric acid, and ferulic acid were quantified in the concentrated extract, and the main anthocyanins identified were 3,5-diglucoside: petunidin, malvidin, and delphinidin. Therefore, jambolan extract showed a high potential to be used as a natural dye and antioxidant in food products.

Impact of ripening on the health-promoting components from fruta-do-lobo (Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill)

Fruta-do-lobo (Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill) is an underutilized native fruit commonly found in the Brazilian Cerrado, very known due to the presence of glycoalkaloids. In this work we evaluated the biochemical changes on carbohydrates, phenolic and alkaloids during ripening of fruta-do-lobo using chromatographic and spectrometric techniques. During ripening, we observed an increase in glucose, fructose and sucrose, while oligosaccharides levels varied. Chlorogenic acid isomers represented 80% of the identified phenolic compounds in unripe stage, but they reduced during ripening, resulting in predominance of p-coumaroylquinic acid (peel and pulp) and 1-O-sinapoyl-glucoside (seeds). Statistical analysis shows that the unripe fractions were richer in alkaloids compounds, which were the most important for antioxidant activity. Molecular network analysis summarizes the compound changes during ripening, especially regarding the alkaloid compounds, with a reduction of around 85% of solamargine abundance. These data show that fruta-do-lobo can presents different chemical compositions due their ripening stage providing support for future research aimed to the application of these compounds in glycemia control or uses of their extracts with higher content of alkaloids compounds.

Profile of phenolic compounds in jabuticaba (Myrciaria sp.) a potential functional ingredient

Phenolic compounds have attracted a lot of attention due to their benefits to human health. Jabuticaba (Myrciaria sp.) fruit has been described as an excellent source of these compounds, while Jabuticaba leaf, considered as plant residue, has shown functional effects. The present study aimed to characterize the phenolic profile in two different leaves extracts (hydroalcoholic ethanol and butanol) of Myrciaria sp. by UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS^E. A total of 40 phenolic compounds were tentatively identified. Jabuticaba leaf extracts presented a rich and diversified composition of phenolic compounds, especially flavonoids, being ellagic acid, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, gallocatechin, and epigallocatechin the most abundant in butanol extracts. Very distinct phenolic profiles were obtained depending on the the solvent indicating that specific preparations can be obtained from the jabuticaba leaf depending on the desired application. This work emphasized the potential of this residue vegetable to be used as a functional ingredient.

Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo of Butia and Opuntia fruits

Despite the consumption recommendations and the potential health benefits, Brazilian biodiversity has a large number of fruit species that are still unexplored, such as Butia catarinensis (Butiá da Praia), Butia eriospatha (Butiá da Serra) and Opuntia elata (Arumbeva). The phenolic compounds of these fruits were determined by HPLC-DAD-MS/MS. Morever, in vitro assays of antioxidant capacity on hydroethanolic extracts against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), hydroxyl (OH), peroxyl (ROO) and ABTS radicals were evaluated. In vivo assays evaluating the survival of worms and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were performed using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Eighteen, twenty-eight and seventeen phenolic compounds were identified in Butiá da Praia, Butiá da Serra and Arumbeva, respectively. The main groups of phenolic compounds found in the fruits were hydroxybenzoic acids (60.5, 26.5 and 96.1% of the total phenolic compounds for Butiá da Praia, Butiá da Serra and Arumbeva, respectively), flavan-3-ols (23.6 and 61.2% of the total phenolic compounds for Butiá da Praia and Butiá da Serra) and flavonols (2.6% of the total phenolic compounds for Arumbeva). The hydroethanolic extracts of these fruits were free radical scavenger, sources of phenolic compounds and did not cause toxic effects in vivo. In hydroethanolic extracts of Butiá da Praia and Arumbeva, the total phenolic content increased by around 67% and 35%, respectively. Besides the health benefits, these proved to be promising sources of natural antioxidants, with phenolic composition variating among species and collection site. The obtained results enable future applications of studied fruits extracts in food and/or pharmaceutical products, encouraging and valuing the sustainable use of biodiversity.

Chemical characterization of Eugenia stipitata: A native fruit from the Amazon rich in nutrients and source of bioactive compounds

Eugenia stipitata is a fruit native to the Brazilian Amazonian region, belonging to the Myrtaceae family whose chemical composition has been little evidenced. In this study, we evaluated for the first time the nutritional composition, bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties of two fractions of this fruit. It was observed that the edible fraction had a higher content of minerals such as K, Ca and Mg (827.66 ± 14.51; 107.16 ± 1.54; and 75.65 ± 1.28 mg 100 g^-1 dw, respectively), sucrose (38.01 ± 2.94 mg g^-1 dw), fructose (17.58 ± 0.80 mg g^-1 dw), and maltotetraose (1.63 ± 0.09 mg g^-1 dw). In this same fraction, about 30 volatile compounds were found, mainly biciclo(3.2.1)octan-3-one, 6 (2-hydroxyethyl)-, endo-; butanoic acid, 2-methyl-, hexyl ester and p-ocimene. In turn, the seed had the highest number of compounds identified by ESI-LTQ-MS/MS (including vanillic acid, gallic acid hexoside, catechin hexoside, luteolin hexoside, among others), higher content of phenolics (142.43 ± 0.82 mg GAE g^-1 dw), flavonoids (43.73 ± 0.23 mg CE g^-1 dw), and antioxidant capacity (139.59 ± 2.47; 447.94 ± 2.70; and 100.07 ± 10.50 µM TE g^-1 dw for DPPH, ABTS, and ORAC, respectively). These results suggest that Eugenia stipitata has excellent nutritional value and great functional potential, and may contribute to a greater commercial exploitation of this fruit, not only in food, but also in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Two polyphenol-rich Brazilian fruit extracts protect from diet-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis in mice

Consumption of polyphenol-rich food is associated with better metabolic health. Tucum-do-Pantanal (Bactris setosa Mart) and taruma-do-cerrado (Vitex cymosa Bertero ex Spreng) are underexploited native Brazilian fruits with an important source of phytochemicals. In this study, we assessed the effects of 100 mg kg-1 tucum (TPE) and taruma (TCE) extracts on diet-induced obesity (DIO) C57BL/6J mice. After 8 weeks of daily treatment, TPE and TCE were found to significantly prevented the diet-induced body weight gain and fully protected against hepatic steatosis associated with a tendency to stimulate hepatic AMPK phosphorylation. TPE reduced visceral obesity and improved glucose metabolism as revealed by an improvement of the insulin tolerance test, a reduction in the insulin fasting level, and a decreased glucose-induced hyperinsulinemia during an oral glucose tolerance test. TPE and TCE showed promising effects on the treatment of obesity and NAFLD, furthermore, TPE on insulin resistance.

Response surface optimization of phenolic compounds from jabuticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora [Mart.] O.Berg) seeds: Antioxidant, antimicrobial, antihyperglycemic, antihypertensive and cytotoxic assessments

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different solvents and maximize the extraction of bioactive compounds from jabuticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora) seeds. In general, the solvent system composed of water and propanone (52:48 v/v) modified the extract polarity and increased extraction yield of bioactive compounds. The optimized extract presented antioxidant capacity measured by different chemical and biological assays. The optimized extract exerted antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects against A549 and HCT8 cells, antimicrobial and antihemolytic effects, inhibited α-amylase/α-glucosidase activities and presented in vitro antihypertensive effect. Nonetheless, the optimized extract showed no cytotoxicity in a human cell model (IMR90). Vescalagin, castalagin and ellagic acid were the major phenolic compounds in the optimized extract. Our results show that jabuticaba seed may be a potential ingredient for the development of potentially functional foods.