Frozen pulp extracts of camu-camu ( Myrciaria dubia McVaugh) attenuate the hyperlipidemia and lipid peroxidation of Type 1 diabetic rats

The amazing native Brazilian fruits

A number of native Brazilian plant species are under exploited by the scientific community, despite the country's precious biodiversity. The vast majority of native Brazilian fruits (NBF) is source of compounds that provide many health benefits and can potentially be used to prevent diseases and formulate high-added value products. This review covers the scientific research over the last decade (2012-2022) on eight NBF, and focuses on information about the production and market panorama, physical description, physicochemical characterization, nutritional composition, their functional value of bioactive compounds and health benefits, as well as the potential for utilizations for each. The studies herein compiled reveal the outstanding nutritional value of these NBF. They are sources of vitamins, fibers, minerals and bioactive compounds that exhibit antioxidant activity, and they contain phytochemicals with anti-inflammatory action, anti-obesity and other functions that bring many health benefits to consumers. NBF can be also used as raw material for multiple products such as nectars, juices, jams, frozen pulps, liquor, among others. The dissemination of knowledge about NBF has fundamental implications worldwide.

Amazonian Fruits for Treatment of Non-Communicable Diseases

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The Amazon region has a high biodiversity of flora, with an elevated variety of fruits, such as Camu-Camu (Myrciaria dúbia), Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.), Tucumã (Astrocaryum aculeatum and Astrocaryum vulgare), Fruta-do-conde (Annona squamosa L.), Cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum), Graviola (Annona muricata L.), Guarana (Paullinia cupana Kunth var. sorbilis), and Pitanga (Eugenia uniflora), among many others, that are rich in phytochemicals, minerals and vitamins with prominent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential.

RECENT FINDINGS

Studies evaluating the chemical composition of these fruits have observed a high content of nutrients and bioactive compounds. Such components are associated with significant biological effects in treating various non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and related complications. Regular intake of these fruits from Amazonas emerges as a potential therapeutic approach to preventing and treating NCDs as a nutritional strategy to reduce the incidence or mitigate common complications in these patients, which are the leading global causes of death. As studies remain largely unexplored, this narrative review discusses the possible health-beneficial effects for patients with NCDs.

Amazon Fruits as Healthy Ingredients in Muscle Food Products: A Review

When looking for new ingredients to process red meat, poultry, and fish products, it is essential to consider using vegetable resources that can replace traditional ingredients such as animal fat and synthetic antioxidants that may harm health. The Amazon, home to hundreds of edible fruit species, can be a viable alternative for new ingredients in processing muscle food products. These fruits have gained interest for their use as natural antioxidants, fat replacers, colorants, and extenders. Some of the fruits that have been tested include açai, guarana, annatto, cocoa bean shell, sacha inchi oil, and peach palm. Studies have shown that these fruits can be used as dehydrated products or as liquid or powder extracts in doses between 250 and 500 mg/kg as antioxidants. Fat replacers can be added directly as flour or used to prepare emulsion gels, reducing up to 50% of animal fat without any detrimental effects. However, oxidation problems of the gels suggest that further investigation is needed by incorporating adequate antioxidant levels. In low doses, Amazon fruit byproducts such as colorants and extenders have been shown to have positive technological and sensory effects on muscle food products. While evidence suggests that these fruits have beneficial health effects, their in vitro and in vivo nutritional effects should be evaluated in muscle food products containing these fruits. This evaluation needs to be intended to identify safe doses, delay the formation of key oxidation compounds that directly affect health, and investigate other factors related to health.

Emerging berries from the Brazilian Amazon and Atlantic Forest biomes: new sources of bioactive compounds with potential health benefits

Brazil has a broad geographic biodiversity spread across its six different biomes. However, it has been suffering from the abusive exploitation of its resources, which poses a threat to the local fauna and flora. The Amazon and Atlantic Forest, for example, are birthplaces to rare and edible native species, such as bacaba (Oenocarpus bacaba, Arecaceae) and camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia, Myrtaceae), and cereja-do-Rio Grande (Eugenia involucrata, Myrtaceae) and grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis, Myrtaceae), respectively. These plants produce fruits which are sources of macro and micronutrients, including sugars, dietary fibers, vitamins, minerals, and/or lipids. Nutritionally, their consumption have the ability to reach partially or totally the daily recommendations for adults of some nutrients. More recently, these fruits have also been exposed as interesting sources of minor bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids, terpenes, and/or polyphenols, the latter which include anthocyanins, phenolic acids, and tannins. Particularly, bacaba stands out for being a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (around 22%, dry weight) and dietary fibers (6.5-21%, dry weight); camu-camu has very high contents of vitamin C (up to 5000 mg per 100 g of pulp, dry basis); and cereja-do-Rio-Grande and grumixama are abundant sources of anthocyanins. Although they are still underexplored, several in vitro and in vivo studies with different parts of the fruits, including the peel, seed, and pulp, indicate their health potential through anti-oxidative, anti-obesity, antihyperglycemic, antidyslipidemic, antimicrobial, and/or anticancer effects. All things considered, the focus of this research was to highlight the bioactive potential and health impact of native fruits from the Amazon and Atlantic Forest biomes.

Camu Camu (Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh): An Amazonian Fruit with Biofunctional Properties-A Review

Amazonian Camu camu fruit (Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh) has been called a "superfruit" due to its high levels of bioactive and antioxidant compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoids, and vitamin C. The biofunctional properties of camu camu fruit (including pulp, peel, and seeds) have been well established through several in vitro and in vivo studies. Several reports confirmed the nutritious and biofunctional value of camu camu extracts or its food-derived products, exhibiting antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, antihypertensive, and antiobesity activity, contributing to quality life improvement. Other studies showed antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, antihepatotoxic, antihemolytic, antimutagenic, and cell rejuvenation bioactivities. This Review summarizes the bioactive profile of camu camu fruit through the understanding of some physiological modulation processes and its contribution to the Amazon bioeconomy under the development of biofunctional food ingredients exhibiting health benefits.

Optimization of Phenolic Compounds Extraction of Different Parts of Camu-camu Fruit from Different Geographic Regions

Phenolic compounds in camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) have received interest due to their health-promoting effects. However, these compounds have been poorly investigated in the different parts of the camu-camu fruit (pulp, peel, and seeds). This study aimed to optimize the solvent composition for extraction of phenolic compounds from pulp, peels, and seeds of camu-camu through a simplex-centroid mixture design. Then, the profile of phenolic compounds in samples of camu-camu pulp, peels, and seeds from different regions in Brazil and South America was determined by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Aqueous ethanol (80%, v/v) yielded the highest extraction for the pulp and peel, while aqueous methanol (50%, v/v) was selected for the seed. Camu-camu parts had p-coumaric acid, catechin, epicatechin, luteolin, rutin, and quercetin, with catechin as the major compound in the pulp, peels, and seeds of all the evaluated samples. The peel showed lower concentrations of these compounds compared with the pulp and the seed; the content of phenolic compounds also differed according to the geographic region. These results broaden the knowledge on phytochemical extraction and composition of camu-camu pulp, peel, and seed and may guide future applications of their extracts in the food industry.

Proanthocyanidins and Where to Find Them: A Meta-Analytic Approach to Investigate Their Chemistry, Biosynthesis, Distribution, and Effect on Human Health

Proanthocyanidins (PACs) are a class of polyphenolic compounds that are attracting considerable interest in the nutraceutical field due to their potential health benefits. However, knowledge about the chemistry, biosynthesis, and distribution of PACs is limited. This review summarizes the main chemical characteristics and biosynthetic pathways and the main analytical methods aimed at their identification and quantification in raw plant matrices. Furthermore, meta-analytic approaches were used to identify the main plant sources in which PACs were contained and to investigate their potential effect on human health. In particular, a cluster analysis identified PACs in 35 different plant families and 60 different plant parts normally consumed in the human diet. On the other hand, a literature search, coupled with forest plot analyses, highlighted how PACs can be actively involved in both local and systemic effects. Finally, the potential mechanisms of action through which PACs may impact human health were investigated, focusing on their systemic hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering effects and their local anti-inflammatory actions on the intestinal epithelium. Overall, this review may be considered a complete report in which chemical, biosynthetic, ecological, and pharmacological aspects of PACs are discussed.

Anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and analgesic activities of Plinia cauliflora (Mart.) Kausel (Brazilian grape) epicarp

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Plinia cauliflora (Mart.) Kausel, known in Brazil as jabuticaba or jaboticaba has been used by Brazilian native populations for medicinal purposes, including those related to inflammatory conditions, such as asthma, diarrhea, disorders in female genitourinary tract, and tonsillitis. Inflammation has emerged as a main factor for the oxidative stress, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia present in chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Such disturbances have been a leading cause of death worldwide for decades, despite significant efforts in developing new therapies. Therefore, strengthening the relevance of ethnobotanic approaches, as P. cauliflora has the potential to become a natural, native, and traditional product to prevent and treat inflammation-associated diseases more effectively for more people.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Evaluate anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and analgesic properties of hydroethanolic extract of P. cauliflora epicarps (PcE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Phytochemical compound from the PcE were identified through HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSⁿ analysis. Antioxidant activity was determined by measuring 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging. The anti-inflammatory potential was investigated by carrageenan-induced paw edema and peritonitis in mice. Analgesic effect was assessed, in mice, though hot plate test and acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing. Antidiabetic and hypolipidemic potential were evaluated using alloxan-induced diabetic mice.

RESULTS

Tannins, phenolic acids, and their derivatives were the predominant phytochemicals found. Overall, PcE showed different properties related to the treatment of clinical conditions associated with chronic diseases as a potent antioxidant activity, demonstrating a radical scavenging action similar to gallic acid. PcE oral administration also significantly reduced inflammation induced by paw edema and partially blocked leukocyte migration. Moreover, PcE produced peripheral and central analgesic effects, as evaluated in the writhing model and hot plate tests. Treatment with PcE significantly improved glucose levels and lipid markers in diabetic mice.

CONCLUSIONS

P. cauliflora fruits are rich sources of secondary metabolites, mainly tannins and phenolic acids with high biological potential, which can effectively contribute to the approach of preventing and controlling chronic NCDs.

Non-nutrients and nutrients from Latin American fruits for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have been rapidly increasing; among them, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are responsible for around 1/3 of deaths in the world. Environmental factors play a central role in their development. Diet is a very important factor in this scenario, and the intake of fruits and vegetables has been considered as one of the critical strategies for reducing the risk of CVDs. Fruits are a source of micronutrients and bioactive compounds that could have cardioprotective effects through several distinct mechanisms, such as antioxidant, antithrombotic and antiplatelet activities, vasodilatation, improvement of plasma lipid profiles, and modulation of inflammatory signaling. Brazil has a very rich and unexplored biodiversity in its different biomes, with several types of fruit, which are a source of bioactive compounds and micronutrients with therapeutic properties. In this sense, this review shows the current knowledge regarding the cardioprotective properties of selected Latin American and Brazilian fruits, including their effects on the activation of platelets and on the inflammation processes involved in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.

Pulses' germination and fermentation: Two bioprocessing against hypertension by releasing ACE inhibitory peptides

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) is one of the main blood pressure regulators in the renin-angiotensin system leading to hypertension. Hypertension is known as the modern world disease which increases the risk of serious human health problems. Synthetic drugs and some natural compounds could treat this disease by binding to ACE and reducing its activity. Pulses, one of the legumes group, that are the rich in protein sources in the human diet, have several bioactive compounds with ACE inhibitory (ACE I) properties. However, several processes need to break down proteins and improve ACE I activity in foods. Germination and fermentation, known by bioprocessing, could make releasing bioactive peptides and polyphenols and exhibit ACE I and either other health properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-diabetic and anticancer activities. Various factors such as kind of selective culture, temperature, time and humidity affect these processes. This review summarizes relevant studies about the effect of pulses' germination and fermentation to produce ACE I activity compounds and also explains about main parameters affecting the health properties of these two bioprocessing to treat hypertension that could lead to the development of their application in pharmaceuticals instead of synthetic drugs.

Vitamin C stability in acerola and camu-camu powder obtained by spray drying

Abstract Acerola and camu-camu fruits possess high vitamin C content. However, since these fruits are little consumed in their fresh form, it is important to consider that vitamin C can be oxidized depending on storage conditions. Thus, this study aimed to produce acerola and camu-camu powders by spray drying to maintain the stability of their vitamin C content during storage. Acerola and camu-camu powders were characterized in relation to their physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant activity, and vitamin C concentration and stability under different storage conditions (30 °C and 40 °C, 75% relative humidity). In general, the powders were proven to be stable, with low water activity (< 0.40) and humidity (< 4.0 g/100 g powder), as well as high vitamin C concentrations (1593.2 and 6690.4 mg/100 g of powder for acerola and camu-camu, respectively). Furthermore, we observed a high antioxidant activity by ABTS●+, DPPH• and FRAP assays. The powders stored at lower temperature (30 °C) showed higher vitamin C stability. In conclusion, acerola and camu-camu powders produced by spray drying are potential sources of vitamin C and active compounds and are therefore suitable for several food industry applications.

By-Products of Camu-Camu [Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh] as Promising Sources of Bioactive High Added-Value Food Ingredients: Functionalization of Yogurts

Camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh) is a fruit economically relevant to the Amazon region, mostly consumed in the form of processed pulp. Our aim was to perform an unprecedented comparative study on the chemical composition and bioactivities of the camu-camu pulp and industrial bio-residues (peel and seed), and then the most promising fruit part was further explored as a functionalized ingredient in yogurt. A total of twenty-three phenolic compounds were identified, with myricetin-O-pentoside and cyanindin-3-O-glucoside being the main compounds in peels, followed by p-coumaroyl hexoside in the pulp, and ellagic acid in the seeds. The peel displayed the richest phenolic profile among samples, as well as the most significant antibacterial (MICs = 0.625–10 mg/mL) and anti-proliferative (GI₅₀ = 180 µg/mL against HeLa cells) activities. For this reason, it was selected to be introduced in a food system (yogurt). Taken together, our results suggest the possibility of using the camu-camu peel as a source of food additives.

Fruit Seeds as Sources of Bioactive Compounds: Sustainable Production of High Value-Added Ingredients from By-Products within Circular Economy

The circular economy is an umbrella concept that applies different mechanisms aiming to minimize waste generation, thus decoupling economic growth from natural resources. Each year, an estimated one-third of all food produced is wasted; this is equivalent to 1.3 billion tons of food, which is worth around US$1 trillion or even $2.6 trillion when social and economic costs are included. In the fruit and vegetable sector, 45% of the total produced amount is lost in the production (post-harvest, processing, and distribution) and consumption chains. Therefore, it is necessary to find new technological and environmentally friendly solutions to utilize fruit wastes as new raw materials to develop and scale up the production of high value-added products and ingredients. Considering that the production and consumption of fruits has increased in the last years and following the need to find the sustainable use of different fruit side streams, this work aimed to describe the chemical composition and bioactivity of different fruit seeds consumed worldwide. A comprehensive focus is given on the extraction techniques of water-soluble and lipophilic compounds and in vitro/in vivo functionalities, and the link between chemical composition and observed activity is holistically explained.

Antigenotoxic and antimutagenic effects of Myrciaria dubia juice in mice submitted to ethanol 28-day treatment

Myrciaria dubia is a native plant from the Amazon region which produces red-purplish fruit rich in antioxidant compounds such as ascorbic acid, carotenoids, and phenolic. M. dubia fruit is used to prepare juices considered to possess high nutritional content providing health benefits. The aim of this study was to examine the ability of M. dubia juice to protect DNA against genomic instability induced by sub-acute ethanol consumption attributed to oxidative stress. Mice were treated for 28 days with juice at 25% and 50% diluted in distilled water or with the diluted combination juice plus ethanol (5 g/kg). The genotoxic/antigenotoxic and mutagenic/antimutagenic effects were assessed using comet assay in blood, liver, and kidney and micronucleus (MN) test with bone marrow. In addition, the mutagenicity was also evaluated using Salmonella/microsome assay. Phytochemical compounds were determined using HPLC/PDA/MS/MS. The juice did not induce genotoxic effects in blood, kidney, and liver cells at both doses. In combination with ethanol, the juice reduced the alcohol-mediated DNA damage in all tissues analyzed. Further, the juice did not produce mutagenic effects and decreased mutagenicity induced by ethanol in the bone marrow. The anthocyanins were major compounds detected by HPLC/PDA/MS/MS, which modulated genotoxic and mutagenic effects initiated by ethanol and at least in part appeared responsible for the observed antigenotoxic and antimutagenic effects of M. dubia juice.

Dietary supplementation with Camu-Camu versus sleeve gastrectomy in Wistar rats weight control

OBJECTIVE

to compare the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract from the peel of Camu-Camu, a fruit plant belonging to the Myrtaceae family, widely distributed in the Amazon basin, with those of sleeve gastrectomy, on the weight and glycemia of Wistar rats.

METHODS

twenty-four Wistar rats underwent obesity induction through a hyperlipid diet for eight weeks (fat period), and were randomized into three groups: Control Group (CG), Camu-Camu Group (CCG) and Bariatric Surgery Group (BSG). After this period, all animals returned to a normal diet and the intervention period began: CG did not undergo any intervention beyond diet change; CCG animals underwent gavage procedure for administration of Camu-Camu hydroalcoholic extract, 1g/kg/day, for four weeks; and the BSG was submitted to the surgical procedure of sleeve gastrectomy. We followed all animals for four weeks.

RESULTS

there was only one loss in BSG due to a gastric fistula. We observed significant variations in the animals' mean weight: the CG evolved with weight gain even after the withdraw of the hypercaloric diet, while the other two groups presented weight reduction. BSG presented a significant reduction of weight and BMI (p<0.05); CCG achieved a significant reduction only of the BMI (p<0.05). There were no statistically significant changes in the glycemic levels.

CONCLUSION

in spite of reducing weight, the crude hydroalcoholic extract of the Camu-Camu peel was not able to be as efficient as sleeve gastrectomy in the control of body weight in Wistar rats.

Antioxidant Properties of Amazonian Fruits: A Mini Review of In Vivo and In Vitro Studies

Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, Suriname, Guyana, and French Guiana share an area of 7,295,710 km² of the Amazon region. It is estimated that the Amazonian forest offers the greatest flora and fauna biodiversity on the planet and on its surface could cohabit 50% of the total existing living species; according to some botanists, it would contain about 16-20% of the species that exist today. This region has native fruit trees in which functional properties are reported as antioxidant and antiproliferative characteristics. Amazon plants offer a great therapeutic potential attributed to the content of bioactive phytochemicals. The aim of this mini review is to examine the state of the art of the main bioactive components of the most studied Amazonian plants. Among the main functional compounds reported were phenolic compounds, unsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, phytosterols, and tocopherols, with flavonoids and carotenoids being the groups of greatest interest. The main beneficial effect reported has been the antioxidant effect, evaluated in most of the fruits investigated; other reported functional properties were antimicrobial, antimutagenic, antigenotoxic, analgesic, immunomodulatory, anticancer, bronchodilator, antiproliferative, and anti-inflammatory, including hypercholesterolemic effects, leishmanicidal activity, induction of apoptosis, protective action against diabetes, gastroprotective activity, and antidepressant effects.

In vitro antioxidant and antihypertensive compounds from camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia McVaugh, Myrtaceae) seed coat: A multivariate structure-activity study

Camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) pulp, seeds, and skin are widely known because of their nutritional properties. However, the seed coat has never been studied as a source of bioactive compounds. Herein, we characterized the phenolic composition, the antioxidant activity, and inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) of three different extracts (water, propanone, and ethanol) from this residue and assessed the structure-activity using bivariate and multivariate statistical approaches. Phenolic acids and flavonoids were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography while the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), inhibition of lipid peroxidation using egg yolk and Wistar rat brain, scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH^•) radical, Folin-Ciocalteu reducing capacity (FCRC), and the inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) by the extracts were also analyzed. t-Resveratrol was found in camu-camu seed coat for the first time. The aqueous extract had the highest total phenolic content, FRAP, DPPH^•, FCRC, and inhibition of lipid oxidation using both chemical and biological assays, while the propanone extract showed the opposite behavior but it presented higher in vitro antihypertensive activity. The ethanolic extract exhibited intermediate values for the responses. The association between chemical composition and the functional properties of the camu-camu seed coat extracts were revealed using correlation analysis and principal component analysis.

Dietary supplementation with camu-camu and continuous exercises in the treatment of obesity

ABSTRACT Objective The goal of this study were to investigate the effects of continuous exercise with/or without the ingestion the Camu-camu pulp in a rat model of obesity. Methods Neonate male Wistar rats, receiving monosodium glutamate, subcutaneously were separated into foour groups: sedentary group S (no treatment), exercise group E (continuous swimming training), Camu-camu group C (25mL of pulp of Camu-camu/day) and exercise and Camu-camu group EC (25mL of pulp of Camu-camu/day, continuous swimming). After 12 weeks, the animals were received euthanasia. Results The exercise program was conducted for five days for 12 weeks and the effects of supplementation with or without Camu-camu in obese rats were analyzed, showing that the relative levels of the variables cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, High Density Lipoprotein and Low Density Lipoprotein and in all groups there was a significant reduction (.<0.001), except for the control group. Body weight and feed intake, epididymal and visceral fat deposits were not significantly different between the means of groups C and E, but these groups showed a significant difference when compared to the EC group (.<0.001). Conclusion The results demonstrate the effectiveness of continuous exercise and diet supplemented with Camu-camu fruit pulp to control obesity.

Phenolic Compounds and Its Bioavailability: In Vitro Bioactive Compounds or Health Promoters?

Botanical preparations present a widespread and secular history of use. In fact, natural matrices possess a rich pool of phytochemicals, with promising biological effects. Among them, phenolic compounds have revealed to confer very important attributes to improve the well-being and longevity of worldwide population. Numerous in vitro studies have been carried out evaluating the wide spectrum of bioactivities of phenolic compounds, including its health effects, but through in vivo experiments some of these previous results cannot be properly confirmed, and considerable variations are observed. Pharmacokinetic parameters, including the assessment of bioavailability and bioefficacy of phenolic compounds, still continue to be largely investigated and considered a great hot topic among the food science and technology researchers. Thus, based on these crucial aspects, this chapter aims to provide an extensive approach about the question of the bioavailability of phenolic compounds, describing its biosynthetic routes and related mechanisms of action; to focus on the current facts and existing controversies, highlighting the importance of in vivo studies and the impact of phenolic compounds on the quality of life and longevity.

Dietary camu camu, Myrciaria dubia, enhances immunological response in Nile tilapia

Camu camu, Myrciaria dubia, is an Amazon plant that presents high levels of vitamin C in its composition. Several studies in animals and humans have demonstrated their efficiency in the prevention and treatment of various diseases. However, there are no reports of its properties in fish. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the oral administration of the extract of this plant in the immune parameters in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. 400 Nile tilapia (80 ± 5 g) were randomly distributed into 20 tanks with 1500 L capacity each (20 fish/tank). After a week of adaptation to environmental conditions, it was provided a diet for 5 weeks, using different levels of inclusion of camu camu extract: 0, 50, 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg of feed. Each treatment consisted of four replicates. It was obtained 40.5 mg of vitamin C/g of camu camu pulp powder by high-performance liquid chromatography. At the end of the trial period, fish were inoculated with Aeromonas hydrophila in the swim bladder. Samples were taken after 6; 24 and 48 h of the challenge. Results revealed that fish supplemented with this herb showed significant increase (P < 0.05) in white blood cells counts in blood and exudate, burst respiratory activity, lysozyme activity, serum bactericidal activity, direct agglutination, and melanomacrophage centers count. Red blood cells count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and biochemical profile of fish supplemented with the herb presented no statistical differences compared to control group (P > 0.05). No histopathological lesions were observed in intestine, kidney, spleen, and gills. It can be concluded that the addition of Myrciaria dubia in tilapia feed improves the immune response and the growth after 5 weeks, especially, at a dose of 500 mg/kg.