Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in tropical fruits grown in the lower-middle São Francisco Valley

Patrício Ferreira Batista,Rafaela Vieira Façanha,Maria Auxiliadora Coêlho De Lima,Ricardo Elesbão Alves

doi:10.5935/1806-6690.20180070

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in fruit of commercial cultivars of mango, acerola, guava, atemoya and custard apple produced in the lower-middle Sao Francisco Valley, with a view to adding value to the product because of their functional properties. Fruits harvested in commercial areas of the region were evaluated for levels of ascorbic acid, total anthocyanins, yellow flavonoids, total carotenoids and total extractable polyphenols, and for total antioxidant activity, using the ABTS and ORAC methods. The data were submitted to descriptive statistical analysis. All the fruits under evaluation presented levels of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity, especially the acerola, and in particular the Sertaneja and Okinawa cultivars, which may be considered excellent sources of natural antioxidants, with their consumption encouraged as part of a healthy diet. The significant positive correlation found between antioxidant activity and the levels of ascorbic acid, anthocyanins, yellow flavonoids, carotenoids and total extractable polyphenols with the two methods employed, shows that for the fruits under evaluation, this activity was influenced by the determined set of bioactive compounds.

Highlights

Brazil is a major producer of fresh fruit and stands out for being one of the three largest producers in the world
Considering the importance of fresh fruit to the Brazilian economy and diet, as well as the variations existing between genotypes of the same species, the aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in fruit of commercial cultivars of mango, acerola, atemoya and custard apple produced in the lower-middle São Francisco Valley, with a view to adding value to the product due to their functional properties
Ascorbic acid is recognised as an important antioxidant compound of natural origin (ALMEIDA et al, 2011; CONTRERAS-CALDERÓN et al, 2011)

Summary

Introduction

Brazil is a major producer of fresh fruit and stands out for being one of the three largest producers in the world. Among the fruit-producing regions in Brazil, the lower-middle São Francisco Valley is one of the most important It is in this region that the Petrolina-Juazeiro irrigated fruit-farming hub is located, where the planted area increased from 23 thousand hectares in 2012 to 25 thousand hectares in 2013, showing an advance of 7.5% (ANUÁRIO BRASILEIRO DA FRUTICULTURA, 2014). This region is seen as a big generator of employment, producing on average two positions per irrigated hectare, totalling about 240,000 direct and 960,000 indirect jobs. Of particular note is production of the following fruit crops: grape, mango, banana, green coconut, guava, melon, acerola, lime, passion fruit, papaya, custard apple and others of lower production, giving an approximate volume of one million tons per year (MACIEL, 2011)

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