FRUITS OF VEGETABLE EUTERPE AS A VALUABLE SOURCE OF FOOD AND BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE COMPOUNDS (REVIEW)

Abstract

Vegetable euterpe (Euterpe oleracea) belongs to the Arecaceae family, grows in tropical and subtropical areas. The people call the fruits of acai. Of the wild species of Brazil, the most important are Euterpe oleracea, Euterpe edulis and Euterpe precatoria. A botanical description, a review of the chemical composition of secondary metabolites, a description of the biological and pharmacological activity of Euterpe oleracea are presented. The main biologically active compounds are anthocyanins (cyanidin–3-O-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-rutinosideo), flavonoids (quercetin, rutin), tannins (catechin, gallic acid), phenylpropanoids (chlorogenic acid), carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene). There is evidence of antioxidant, vasodilating, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and antitumor activity. A wide variety of biologically active compounds that cause a multidirectional pharmacological effect in this plant makes vegetable euterpe a promising object for the development of pharmaceutical substances.