Screening of the chemical composition and occurring antioxidants in jabuticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba) and jussara (Euterpe edulis) fruits and their fractions

Abstract

We aimed at determining the bioactive compounds and chemical composition of jabuticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba (Vell.) O. Berg) and jussara (Euterpe edulis Mart.) fruits and their fractions. With the exception of jabuticaba pulp, both fruits and their fractions might be exploited as dietary fibre sources. Jabuticaba fruit may be considered as source of vitamin A and its pulp source of Fe, Mn and Cu, while jussara pulp may be considered a source of Mn, Cu and vitamins A and E. The phenolic profile of jabuticaba fractions (pulp, peel, seeds and depulping residue) and jussara whole fruit and seed was investigated for the first time. Eleven phenolic compounds were determined in each fruit, of which soluble forms were predominant, anthocyanins being the most abundant phenolics. Jabuticaba and jussara presented higher antioxidant activity compared with berries. Our results indicate that jabuticaba and jussara have high commercial potential due to their nutritional and functional properties.

Keywords

• Anthocyanins
• Antioxidant activity
• Carotenoids
• Mineral composition
• Phenolic compounds
• Tocopherols