Physicochemical composition and amino acid profile of the beverage of Ungurahua (Oenocarpus bataua) from the Amazonian Region of Ecuador.

Abstract

Oenocarpus bataua, also known as Ungurahua, is a palm species indigenous to Ecuador's Amazon region. The fruit is used for oil extraction and beverage production. This research aimed to evaluate a beverage made from O. bataua by characterizing its physicochemical properties, amino acid profile, formulation, and sensory and microbiological properties. The research employed quantitative, exploratory, and experimental methodologies utilizing a bifactorial design (3 × 2). This research investigated the effect of cooking and the type of sweetener on the quality of sweetened products. Six treatments were applied, and sensory analysis was performed to determine the optimal treatment. The most effective treatment was a2b2 (cooked for 30 min at 65 ±3°C and sweetened with panela). Upon further analysis, this treatment had a moisture content of 94.7%, ash content of 0.85%, protein content of 0.59%, ethereal extract EE of 2.18%, fiber content of 0.80%, non-nitrogenous extract-ENN of 0.85%, pH of 4.37, Brix of 1.80°, and titratable acidity of 1.92%. A comparison of O. bataua beverages with similar beverages indicated their acceptable nutritional value. Amino acid profile analysis showed the presence of 10 amino acids, of which 8 were essential, and 10 were non-essential. Histidine had the highest concentration in the beverage, with an average of 77%. To ensure the safety and quality of the beverage, a microbiological analysis was performed in compliance with NTE-INEN 3028 standards. No mesophilic aerobes, Salmonella spp., or total coliforms were detected. Therefore, the proposed beverage is safe and nutritionally valuable because of its high amino acid content, balanced physicochemical composition, and sufficient microbiological composition.