Development, bioaccessibility and gastroprotective effects of structured soursop bar enriched with acerola co-product extract

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a structured soursop bar and evaluate the bioaccessibility and gastroprotective effects of its compounds after the addition of aqueous acerola co-product extract. Simulated digestion was carried out to determine the bioaccessible percentage of biocompounds and gastric ulcers were induced in mice to test the gastroprotective effects of the samples. The addition of the acerola co-product extract increased the concentration of phenolics (73.6 %), antioxidant activity (82.5 %) and ascorbic acid (more than 100 %). The structured soursop bar enriched with acerola extract was able to prevent macroscopic mucosal damage, histological changes, and oxidative injuries in the gastric mucosa, applied orally. Thus, the structured soursop enriched with the acerola co-product extract can be considered a promising natural product that provides health benefits, especially related to its potential gastroprotective effects.