COMPARISON OF PHENOLIC AND FLAVONOIDS CONCENTRATIONS AND THE PRICE OF NATIVE AND EXOTIC FRUITS FROM THE NORTHEAST OF BRAZIL

Abstract

Brazilian flora has great diversity, and the fruit market represents an activity of great economic importance for the country. Ingestion of phenolic compounds, derived from fruits, is associated with various types of benefits, and pathological prevention. In this sense, the present study made the price survey and the literature review on the phenolic and flavonoids content in six native fruits (cashew, seriguela, umbu, juá, cajá and pitomba) and in eight exotic fruits (acerola, star fruit, coconut, breadfruit, soursop, custard apple, sapodilla, tamarind) to the Brazilian Northeast. The survey was based on the evaluation of prices published on digital platforms of Northeastern Food Centers and the concentrations of total phenols and flavonoids were obtained through literature review. No statistical difference was observed between the mean concentration values of total phenolic compounds and flavonoids in native and exotic fruits, but a difference close to R$ 2.00 was observed between the average price of native and exotic fruits, being natives the cheapest ones. Thus, native fruits are a source of lower cost and have the same nutritional value of flavonoids and total phenols of exotic fruits. However, there is a market and buyer preference for exotic fruits forproduction and taste reasons.

Keywords

• flavonoids
• native fruits
• phenolic species