Abstract
The peumo (Cryptocarya alba) is a native fruit from central Chile that belongs to the Lauraceae family. To characterize the development and the potential health benefits of this edible fruit, quality and physiological parameters, along with antioxidant capacity, were evaluated during three clearly defined developmental stages of the fruit in two seasons. The most distinguishable attributes of ripe fruit were the change in size and color. Low CO2 production and no detectable ethylene levels suggested non-climacteric behavior of the peumo fruit. Peumo demonstrate a significant increase in their antioxidant capacity per 1 g of fresh weight (FW) of the sample, from small to ripe fruit. Higher values in ripe fruit (FRAP: 37.1–38.3 µmol FeSO4/gFW, TEAC: 7.9–8.1 mmol TE/gFW, DPPH: 8.4-8.7 IC50 μg/mL, and ORAC: = 0.19–0.20 mmol TE/gFW) were observed than those in blueberry fruit (FRAP: 4.95 µmol FeSO4/gFW, TEAC: 1.25 mmol TE/gFW, DPPH: 11.3 IC50 μg/mL, and ORAC: 0.032 mmol TE/ gFW). The methanol extracts of ripe fruit displayed the presence of polyphenol acids and quercetin, an ORAC value of 0.637 ± 0.061 mmol TE per g dried weight (DW), and a high cellular antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, the latter exceeding the effect of quercetin and indomethacin used as standard molecules. Also, the assay of isolated rat aorta with endothelium-dependent relaxation damage demonstrated that the peumo extract induced vascular protection, depending on its concentration under a high glucose condition. These results demonstrate that these endemic fruits have a good chance as ingredients or foods with functional properties.
Highlights
The peumo [Cryptocarya alba (Molina) Looser] is a Chilean Lauraceae tree with an endemic spread from Maule to the Araucania Regions
A constant boost in fruit fresh and dry weights was registered according to ripening during the first harvest season, and non-significant differences between Ca2 and Ca3 stages were observed during the second season (Table 1)
The fruit length increased during both seasons, while the diameter only increased for the 2017 season; despite the above, the fruits have a thin shape in all analyzed stages and both seasons (Figure 1, Table 1)
Summary
The peumo [Cryptocarya alba (Molina) Looser] is a Chilean Lauraceae tree with an endemic spread from Maule to the Araucania Regions. It is considered a threatened species in some areas of Chile, mainly due to overexploitation and habitat destruction [1]. Concerning its ecological importance, peumo is one of the representative species of the sclerophyllous forest of the central zone of. Concerning its ecological importance, peumo one of the representative species of the (Quillaja saponaria), and hawthorn (Acacia caven) [2]. All sclerophyllous species are fresclerophyllous forest of the central zone of Chile, including boldo (Peumus boldus), quillay quently used in low water consumption gardens. All sclerophyllous species are frewith interesting and industrial applications of theirand compounds, quently used inpharmacological low water consumption gardens
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