Abstract
Lately, tropical fruit consumption has increased due to a higher knowledge of its nutritional and therapeutic value. The aim of this work was to evaluate the antioxidant potential of cashew apples from different early dwarf clones during their ripening. The clones analyzed included: CCP 76, CCP 09, BRS 189 and BRS 265 in seven ripening stages. They were analyzed for vitamin C, total carotenoid, total anthocyanin, yellow flavonoids and polyphenol content and total antioxidant capacity. Clone BRS 265 ripe cashew apple presented the highest vitamin C content (279.37 mg x 100 g-1). The ripe BRS 189 cashew apple is colored bright red, and its total anthocyanin content was the highest (21.16 mg x 100 g-1). The yellow flavonoids content was higher for ripe CCP 76 and BRS 189 cashew apples with 56.32 and 50.75 mg x 100 g-1, respectively. The highest levels of extrable polyphenols and antioxidant capacity were observed in CCP 09 in the first five ripening stages. The antioxidant activity of cashew apples (Anacardium occidentale L.) is mainly attributed to polyphenol content (r = 0.90; p < 0.01), and, therefore, they may be considered relevant sources of antioxidant compounds, which are necessary for human health. Cashew apples are consumed fresh which confers direct benefits for human health and present high potential for the development of new products with functional properties.
Highlights
Brazil possesses many native and well-adapted tropical fruit species that have great marketing potential in natura or in the processing industry (ALVES et al, 2008)
In this study we investigated changes in major compounds antioxidants and antioxidant activity of four cashew apples cultivars harvested at seven different stages of ripening
The rise in ascorbic acid levels during the last phase of cashew apples ripening may be attributed to a decline in the activity of ascorbate oxidase, the enzyme responsible for its degradation, or to a decline in levels of Cu++, which is a cofactor for ascorbate oxidase activity (CHEMPAKAM, 1983)
Summary
Brazil possesses many native and well-adapted tropical fruit species that have great marketing potential in natura or in the processing industry (ALVES et al, 2008). Tropical fruit consumption has increased due to a greater knowledge of its nutritional and therapeutic value (ESPIN et al, 2000). The cashew tree is native to Brazil and is of socioeconomic importance to northeastern Brazil and other countries, such as Nigeria, Tanzania and Mozambique (PETINARI; TARSITANO, 2002). Both the nut (fruit) and the cashew apples or pseudofruit are commercialized from the cashew tree, the nut has a much broadesr market. The cashew apples is jjuuiiccyywwiitthhaapplleeaassaannttf?lavor and a very fragile skin..Tthhiisscchhaarraacctteerriissttiiccmmaakkeessit sensitive to mmecehcanhiacnalidcaml adgae,mreaqgueir,ingrecqarueidriunrigngctraarnespodrutartionng. Oitrtiastiporne.feTrhaubsly, imt isarpkretfedraabslypmroacreksested farsopzreoncepsuslepd, jfuroiczeenorpnuelpc,tajur.ice or nectar
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