Pouteria spp. fruits: Health benefits of bioactive compounds and their potential for the food industry

The Sapotaceae family encompasses the genus Pouteria spp., comprising approximately 1,250 species of fruits cherished by consumers for their delightful assortment and flavors. Over the years, extensive research has been devoted to exploring the natural bioactive compounds present in these fruits, with the primary goal of preventing and/or mitigating the risk of degenerative diseases. Despite their widespread popularity in numerous countries, the chemistry, nutritional content, and biological potential of these fruits remain relatively unexplored. This comprehensive review aims to shed light on the principal volatile and non-volatile chemical components found in Pouteria fruits, which present notable antioxidant properties. By doing so, a broad perspective on the current trends in characterizing these compounds and their potential applications were provided, as well as the associated health benefits. Additionally, the prospects and potential applications of Pouteria fruits in the food industry were explored herein.

Passion fruit (Passiflora spp.) pulp: A review on bioactive properties, health benefits and technological potential

The Passiflora genus (Passifloraceae family) extends worldwide, but it is mainly found in the Americas. The present review aimed to select the main reports published over the last 5 years involving the chemical composition, health benefits, and products obtained from the pulps of Passifora spp. The pulps of at least 10 species of Passiflora have been studied presenting different classes of organic compounds, especially phenolic acids, and polyphenols. The main bioactivity properties include antioxidant and in vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition. These reports highlight the potential of Passiflora for the development of a variety of products, especially fermented and non-fermented beverages, as well as foods to attend a demand for non-dairy products. In general, these products are prominent source of probiotic bacteria resistant to in vitro gastrointestinal simulation, representing an alternative for intestinal microbiota regulation. Therefore, sensory analysis is encouraging herein, as well as in vivo tests to enable the development of high value pharmaceuticals and food products. The patents confirm the great interest in research and products development in different food technology areas, as well as in biotechnology, pharmacy, and materials engineering.