Molecules (Jun 2023)

Physicochemical Aspects, Bioactive Compounds, Phenolic Profile and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Tropical Red Fruits and Their Blend

  • Yaroslávia Ferreira Paiva,
  • Rossana Maria Feitosa de Figueirêdo,
  • Alexandre José de Melo Queiroz,
  • Lumara Tatiely Santos Amadeu,
  • Francislaine Suelia dos Santos,
  • Carolaine Gomes dos Reis,
  • Ana Júlia de Brito Araújo Carvalho,
  • Marcos dos Santos Lima,
  • Antônio Gilson Barbosa de Lima,
  • Josivanda Palmeira Gomes,
  • Rodrigo Leite Moura,
  • Henrique Valentim Moura,
  • Eugênia Telis de Vilela Silva

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28124866
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 28, no. 12
p. 4866

Abstract

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The combination of fruit pulps from different species, in addition to multiplying the offer of flavors, aromas and textures, favors the nutritional spectrum and the diversity of bioactive principles. The objective was to evaluate and compare the physicochemical characteristics, bioactive compounds, profile of phenolic compounds and in vitro antioxidant activity of pulps of three species of tropical red fruits (acerola, guava and pitanga) and of the blend produced from the combination. The pulps showed significant values of bioactive compounds, with emphasis on acerola, which had the highest levels in all parameters, except for lycopene, with the highest content in pitanga pulp. Nineteen phenolic compounds were identified, being phenolic acids, flavanols, anthocyanin and stilbene; of these, eighteen were quantified in acerola, nine in guava, twelve in pitanga and fourteen in the blend. The blend combined positive characteristics conferred by the individual pulps, with low pH favorable for conservation, high levels of total soluble solids and sugars, greater diversity of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity close to that of acerola pulp. Pearson’s correlation between antioxidant activity and ascorbic acid content, total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins and carotenoids for the samples were positive, indicating their use as a source of bioactive compounds.

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