Grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.) cultivated in the Cerrado has high content of bioactive compounds and great antioxidant potential

Kawai Xu,Maria Margareth Veloso Naves,Tiago Dias,Aline Medeiros Alves-Santos

doi:10.1590/0103-8478cr20190630

Kawai Xu, Maria Margareth Veloso Naves + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-8478cr20190630

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Abstract

ABSTRACT: Grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.) is a Brazilian berry native to the Atlantic Rainforest. Information on nutritional and bioactive profiles of the fruit cultivated in the Brazilian Savannah (Cerrado) is not available in literature. The aim of this study was to investigate the physical and proximate composition; mineral, total phenolics, total tannins and total carotenoids contents; and antioxidant capacity (DPPH and FRAP assays) of the dark purple grumixama cultivated in the Cerrado area (Goiás State). Results showed a similar physical and proximate composition to those of grumixama native to the Atlantic Rainforest. However, grumixama from Cerrado presented the highest dietary fiber and magnesium contents. In addition, the Cerrado grumixama showed higher content of total phenolics (with a large amount of tannins), carotenoids and antioxidant capacity than those of grumixama native to the Atlantic Rainforest, cherry, blueberry, and fruits native to the Cerrado. Thus, the consumption of whole fruit (peel, pulp and seed) in healthy diets and its use as an ingredient for functional food products should be encouraged.

Highlights

Grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.) is a berry native to the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest
Considering the importance of its potential benefits to human health and the lack of information in current scientific literature, the present study aimed to investigate the physical and proximate composition, mineral content, phytochemical profile and antioxidant capacity of the dark purple grumixama grown in the Cerrado region
Extract preparation Extracts were prepared with 0.5 g freeze dried sample and 25 mL of 50% methanol solution, for total phenolic and antioxidant capacity analyses; and with 0.5 g freeze dried sample and 25 mL of 100% methanol, for total tannin analysis; using an ultrasound bath at 25 ̊C for 1 h

Summary

Introduction

Grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.) is a berry native to the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. There are three main varieties of grumixama plants distinguished by their fruit colours: dark purple fruit, red fruit and white/yellow fruit. Each fruit has one or two seeds and its pulp has a sweet and sour taste. In Brazil, grumixama is commercially produced in the south and southeast regions of Brazil, which is harvested between November and February, and used in public gardens and afforestation programs (TEIXEIRA et al, 2018). Grumixama is available commercially as frozen fruit and frozen pulp for juice or jelly (AGUIAR et al, 2016). The use of the peel of the purple grumixama and jambolão (Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels) has been reported as a raw material to extract natural dye for food industry (SANTIAGO et al, 2016)

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