Abstract
ABSTRACT In Brazil, consumer preference of tropical native fruits has increased; however, many fruits are not commercially exploited, such as gabiroba (Campomanesia lineatifolia) and myrtle (Blepharocalyx salicifolius), from the Myrtaceae family. The present study aimed to evaluate the physical, physico -chemical, and functional characteristics of gabiroba and myrtle, harvested from native plants in the mountainous region of Ibiapaba-CE. The following characters were analyzed: pH, soluble solids, total acidity, total extractable polyphenols, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant activity by using the ABTS method. After pulping, the samples were divided into two groups. From the results, it was found that gabiroba had a low total acidity value (0.12 ± 0.01%) indicating a higher level of sweetness relative to myrtle. Myrtle presented values of longitudinal (0.94 cm) and transverse (1.35 cm) diameters, fresh weight (0.85g), pulp yield (68.0%), pH (4.5 ± 0.0), and total soluble solids (23.6 ± 1.7 °Bx) similar to those obtained in other studies. Bioactive compounds in gabiroba and myrtle included phenolics (GAE 229.37 ± 1.04and 511.65 ± 1.34mg/100g), ascorbic acid (74.44 ± 0.03 369.1 ± 0.28 mg/100g), and antioxidants (14.54 ± 1.0 and 16.05 ± 0.63 μ Mtrolox/g). Therefore, these fruits have the potential to be used as functional foods characterized by various health benefits.
Highlights
In Brazil, different native and exotic fruit varieties have been used by local people based on their considerable potential for development in the consumer market and commercialization
In Brazil, it is distributed in the states of Bahia, Distrito Federal, Goiás, Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul
Myrtleand gabiroba fruits were harvested in the early morning from native plants in the mountainous region of Ibiapaba-CE, Brazil
Summary
In Brazil, different native and exotic fruit varieties have been used by local people based on their considerable potential for development in the consumer market and commercialization. It is necessary to develop the culture and preservation of these species, and determine the potential of these fruits for their use in the functional food market. Myrtaceae is one of the largest plant families in Brazil, with 23 genera and approximately 1,000 species (SOUZA; LORENZI, 2005), including Blepharocalyx salicifolius (myrtle). This arboreal species is found in many South America countries, such as Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, and Ecuador. It is found in deciduous and semi-deciduous forests, dense and mixed ombrophilous vegetation with a marine influence (restinga), and cerrado, steppes,and fields (DERNARDI; MARCHIORI, 2005; CARVALHO, 2006)
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