Chemical and functional characterization of skin, pulp and seed powder from the Argentine native fruit mistol (Ziziphus mistol). Effects of phenolic fractions on key enzymes involved in metabolic syndrome and oxidative stress

Abstract

The mistol (Ziziphus mistol) is a native food tree occurring in dry areas of Northwestern and Central Argentina. Studies on its functional properties and bioactive compounds are scarce so far. In this work we assess the nutritional and functional components of lyophilized powder of mistol skin, pulp and seed. The powder from the different fruit parts have moderate carbohydrate content and are an important source of flavonoids, fiber, potassium, magnesium and calcium. The HPLC–ESI-MS/MS analysis of the polyphenols enriched extracts (PEE) of the samples allowed the identification of 17 compounds including 16 flavonoids and a procyanidin. The PEE showed antioxidant capacity and were able to inhibit α-glucosidase, α-amylase and pancreatic lipase, enzymes related to metabolic syndrome. The results suggest potential of the lyophilized skin, pulp and seed powder from mistol as functional food or dietary supplement in the prevention or treatment of diseases associated with metabolic syndrome.

Keywords

• Ziziphus mistol
• Mistol fruit
• Skin, pulp and seeds powder
• Antioxidant capacity
• Metabolic syndrome