Recovering Antioxidant Compounds from the Juçara Residue Using a Green Approach

Abstract

Juçara (Euterpe edulis) is a Brazilian Atlantic Forest palm that produces phenolic-rich fruits used for pulp preparation. The pulp refining produces antioxidant and lipid-rich residue. This study applied glycerol as a green solvent for the microwave-assisted extraction of antioxidant compounds from residue. The variables included glycerol concentration (0–100%), microwave time (2–18 min), and temperature (53–187 °C). The total phenolic compounds (TPC) and DPPH• antioxidant capacity were influenced by glycerol concentration and temperature (p 2 above 0.95. Glycerol, as a green solvent in microwave-assisted extraction, improves antioxidant compound recovery from juçara residue, presenting itself as a sustainable approach for adding value to the fruit production chain.

Keywords

• <i>Euterpe edulis</i>
• glycerol
• microwave
• extraction
• Atlantic Forest