Acerola Research Articles

Antioxidant films based on poly(lactic acid) incorporated with crude extract from Malpighia emarginata DC pomace for use in food packaging

AbstractThe interest in natural antioxidants for the development of active food packaging is increasing, since lipid oxidation has a negative impact on food quality and people's living standards are changing. The aim of this work was to obtain Malpighia emarginata DC pomace extract (MEPE), as well as to develop poly(lactic acid) (PLA)‐based films with antioxidant activity, through the incorporation of MEPE. MEPE showed antioxidant activity through the DPPH and ABTS assays, 127.16 ± 9.70 μmol TEAC g−1 extract and 322.84 ± 19.38 μmol TEAC g−1 extract, respectively. The HPLC quantification revealed that quercetin and isorhamnetin were found at concentrations of 244.77 ± 8.42 and 707.20 ± 23.17 μg g−1, respectively. The properties of the films were influenced by the presence of MEPE, which caused a plasticizing effect on the PLA film, reducing the tensile strength and Young's modulus and increasing the elongation at break and water vapour permeability. The antioxidant property test (DPPH and ABTS) of the films was shown to be improved with the addition of MEPE. Despite changes in the film properties, they have potential for application as active food packaging. This work showed the potential utilization of agriculture pomace to produce antioxidant additive and its application as antioxidant in active food packaging, since they showed excellent antioxidant activity in radical scavenging activity tests.

Acerola (Malpighia emarginata) and açaí (Euterpe oleracea) extracts as active compounds of starch/gelatin-based solutions: Rheological characterization

This study aimed at an unprecedented rheological investigation of starch (S)/gelatin (G)-based solutions (SG) as possible candidates for food packaging films. Phenolic extracts from acerola (M. emarginata) fruit (AFE) and açaí (E.oleracea) seed flour (ASFE) were incorporated as active compounds in two different concentrations (2 and 4 mg extract g-1 solution). All the solutions were more elastic than viscous (G’ > G”) and the extracts incorporation decreased their elastic character, leading to higher tanδ (G”/G’) values (from 0.157 ± 0.006 in SG to 0.338 ± 0.036 in SASFE4G). The extracts improved the viscoelastic stability of the solutions, with critical strain values about 100% greater than SG. Moreover, G’ and G” moduli were more susceptible to cross (flow point) both as a function of frequency and temperature in the ASFE-containing solutions. The viscosity of the solutions was more influenced by the type of the extracts than by their concentration, ranging from 73.85 ± 9.22 Pa s (SASFE2G) to 116.50 ± 7.63 Pa s (SAFE4G). SASFE4G was the least sensitive solution to temperature changes, with the lowest activation energy (20.63 kJ mol-1). All the solutions presented non-thixotropic behavior, and the ASFE-containing solutions supported higher % of strain but recovered the least after deformation. Therefore, the results of the complete rheological assessment of starch/gelatin-based solutions containing phenolics from acerola fruit and açaí seed flour are a previous and unprecedent characterization of these materials and can be related to the application of the films formed by them in subsequent food packaging studies.

Spontaneous fermentation improves the physicochemical characteristics, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity of acerola (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) and guava (Psidium guajava L.) fruit processing by-products.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of spontaneous fermentation on physicochemical characteristics, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity of acerola and guava fruit industrial by-products. Viable cell counts of lactic acid bacterial (LAB) in acerola and guava by-products were ≥ 5.0 log CFU/mL from 24h up to 120h of fermentation. Fermented acerola and guava by-products had increased luminosity and decreased contrast. Contents of total soluble solids and pH decreased, and titrable acidity increased in acerola and guava by-products during fermentation. Ascorbic acid contents decreased in acerola by-product and increased in guava by-product during fermentation. Different phenolic compounds were found in acerola and guava by-products during fermentation. Fermented acerola and guava by-products had increased contents of total flavonoids, total phenolics, and antioxidant activity. The contents of total flavonoids and total phenolics positively correlated with antioxidant activity in fermented acerola and guava by-products. These results indicate that spontaneous fermentation could be a strategy to improve the contents of bioactive compounds and the antioxidant activity of acerola and guava by-products, adding value and functionalities to these agro-industrial residues.

Dynamic Maceration of Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) Fruit Waste: An Optimization Study to Recover Anthocyanins

Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) is a tropical fruit with a vibrant red color attributed to anthocyanins, natural pigments, with several applications in the food, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries. Therefore, the suitability of acerola fruit waste for producing anthocyanin colorants by dynamic maceration was investigated. The extraction process was optimized by combining the factors time (2–90 min), temperature (20–90 °C), and ethanol percentage (0–100%) in a central composite rotatable design (CCRD) coupled with response surface methodology (RSM). The extraction yield determined by a gravimetric method and the levels of cyanidin-O-deoxyhexoside and pelargonidin-O-deoxyhexoside anthocyanins quantified in the 20 run extracts by HPLC-DAD were used as dependent variables. After fitting the experimental data to a quadratic equation, the obtained statistically valid predictive models were used to determine optimal macerating conditions. Under global settings (25 min processing at 41 °C with 12% ethanol), the extraction yielded 57.1% (w/w) and each gram of extract contained 2.54 mg of anthocyanins. Overall, this study highlights the renewable potential of acerola fruit waste for obtaining natural anthocyanin extracts that could represent a sustainable alternative to artificial colorants used in food and other products.

Antioxidant potential of acerola by-product along the enterohepatic axis of rats fed a high-fat diet

Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC) by-product (ABP) has bioactive compounds that can provide antioxidant and hypolipidemic effects in vivo. In this study we aimed to evaluate the antioxidant potential of ABP on oxidative damage along the enterohepatic axis of rats fed a high-fat diet for 7 weeks. In addition, we analysed the phenolic compound profile in the enterohepatic axis, and the lipid accumulation in the liver, colon and liver tissue structure of high-fat diet-fed rats treated with fenofibrate drug (100 mg/kg) or ABP (400 mg/kg) via orogastric administration in the 4th to 7th weeks of the experiment. ABP had increased antioxidant potential in vitro and presented ascorbic acid (2022.06 μg/g), carotenoid (2.63 μg/g), and total phenolic compound (5366.44 μg/g) contents. The high-fat diet-fed rats that received ABP (compared to fenofibrate treatment) presented a non-significant reduction of 9.87% in guanine oxidation product, lower relative liver weight, degree of hepatic steatosis, and aspartate aminotransferase level in their blood. ABP also provided high-fat diet-fed rats: an increased amount of total phenolic compounds in caecal digesta (946.42 µg/g), faeces (3299.07 µg/g), colon (256.15 µg/g) and hepatic tissues (454.80 µg/g); higher total antioxidant capacity in plasma and colon; and lower lipid peroxidation in plasma, colonic and hepatic tissues. The results point to the potential antioxidant activity of ABP against oxidative damage along the enterohepatic axis caused by high-fat diet intake. The ABP had a greater protective effect on the healthy liver compared to fenofibrate treatment due to its bioactive compound content.

Application of High-Intensity Ultrasound on Acerola (Malpighia emarginata) Juice Supplemented with Fructooligosaccharides and Its Effects on Vitamins, Phenolics, Carotenoids, and Antioxidant Capacity

Acerola is considered a superfruit, rich in vitamin C, phenolics, and carotenoids, and having a high antioxidant capacity. However, it is poor in oligosaccharides. Ultrasound technology can improve the bioavailability of several bioactive compounds, improving the nutritional content of several fruit juices. This work evaluated the use of ultrasound processing on acerola juice supplemented with fructooligosaccharides (FOS; 1% w/w) and its effects on the availability of vitamins, carotenoids, and phenolic content. The antioxidant capacity of the juice was correlated with its bioactive contents. The study evaluated the effects of important sonication parameters, such as ultrasonic power density, processing time, and processing temperature. The application of ultrasound was efficient in increasing the availability of some vitamins. As a result, ultrasound application increased the availability of vitamins B1, B3, B5, C, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds. This improvement increased the antioxidant activity of the FOS-enriched acerola juice.

COMPARITIVE STUDY OF DENDRITIC CELL VACCINE PREPARATION WITH PRESENCE AND ABSENCE OF MALPIGHIA EMARGINATA FRUIT EXTRACT USING TUMOR RNA TRANSFECTION METHOD: A PROMISING APPROACH FOR PROSTATE CANCER

Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC) is the richest natural source of ascorbic acid and also contains a plethora of phytonutrients such as flavonoids, anthocyanins, carotenoids, and phenolics. By using the fruits of Malpighia emarginata, are used for the treatment of cancer by inducing effective anti-tumor immunity through dendritic cells. Dendritic cells (DC) are the heterogeneous population of antigen-presenting cells that invade tumors. They play an important role in the priming and maintenance of local immunity, and their major function is diminished by some factors encountered in the local environment. For the success of cancer immunotherapy, adequate tumor-specific antigens play a very important role in inducing a tumor-specific immune response by effective delivery of these antigens. In this proposal, by using these strategies, mature and immature dendritic cells were obtained in-vitro by adding specific cytokines to monocyte cell culture containing Malpighia emarginata fruit extract in the presence of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and their results were compared to those obtained without the presence of Malpighia emarginata fruit extract. In the prostate tumor lineage, the RNA is extracted into the cell by electroporation, and the transfection success was measured by immunocytochemistry of the PSA expression level in dendritic cells. For the comparative study of in-vitro RNA transcription, this method allows small tumors to be used for dendritic cell vaccine preparation through the activation of DC by in the presence and absence of Malpighia emarginata fruit extract and it is a promising approach for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer.

Study of malachite green dye biosorption on acerola (Malpighia emarginata) seeds for the treatment of coloured wastewater: kinetics, equilibrium, and experimental design

Abstract In this work, malachite green dye was removed from an aqueous effluent using acerola seed as an adsorbent. The adsorbent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction, zero charge potential, and acid group concentration techniques. The findings revealed that the adsorbent has a characteristic composition of lignocellulosic materials, as described by the FTIR data, besides having a pH-PZC of 3.5 and a concentration of acid groups of 0.2313 mmol g−1. The central composite design was used for batch experiments, and the effects of three variables were analysed. The optimum conditions (pH, particle size, and adsorbent mass) were 10.0, 600 μm, and 0.8 g, respectively, for 97.52% dye removal. Redlich–Peterson isotherm fitted well to the experimental data (R2 = 0.997 and root-mean-square error (RMSE) = 1.168). From the Langmuir isotherm, the maximum adsorption capacity obtained for dye was 103.50 mg g−1. As for the adsorption kinetics, it was found that the pseudo-second-order model sufficiently describes the experimental data (R2 = 0.999 and RMSE = 0.018). Thus, the acerola seed has excellent properties as an adsorbent, demonstrating a remarkable performance and a great capacity to be used in the treatment of aqueous effluents contaminated by dyes.

Antioxidant activity and health effects from Malpighia emarginata fruit – a systematic review

Acerola (Malpighia emarginata) is considered a superfruit due to high vitamin C content and the presence of phenolics that confer antioxidant potential. Increasing of chronic disorders and results of oxidative stress-related diseases has encouraged the search of new pharmacological strategies to face them. The present review discusses the available knowledge on health effects of Malpighia emarginata, including both in vivo and in vitro studies. Records in 1945–2022 were extracted from Web of Science and Scopus databases to get the bibliometric index of the published articles. In spite of bibliometric analysis advantages to knowing about the trends in a subject, this research requires methods to support the investigation process through the selection of a relevant bibliographic portfolio. This study also applied the Methodi Ordinatio which provides an approach to rank 29 relevant publications. Fifty-one research articles were reviewed. Much knowledge comes from in vitro explorations, such as chemical assays evaluating radical scavenging properties, glycemic and lipid oxidation inhibition, and reducing capacity of acerola fruit; similarly, research on cellular substrates and animal models generally measures antioxidant enzymes levels and other antioxidant markers, such as α-glycosidase and advanced glycation end products. Reviewed data suggest that some acerola fruit compounds are deserving of further investigation and more useful understanding of their antioxidant and neuroprotective potentials.

Application of Plant Surfactants as Cleaning Agents in Shampoo Formulations

With the increased demand for sustainable, hypoallergenic products, plant surfactants are a promising, eco-friendly option for cleaning products due to their low toxicity or even the absence of toxicity. In the present study, surfactant-rich extracts from Chenopodium quinoa, Glycine max, and Malpighia emarginata were assessed for their stability, antioxidant capacity, toxic potential, and cleaning potential in shampoo formulations. The surfactants in the extracts were isolated and characterized by NMR, UV-Vis, and FTIR spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that the extracts remained stable within the temperature and pH ranges tested. The antioxidant properties were also determined. In the analysis of irritation potential, G. max and C. quinoa exhibited low toxicity and no toxicity, respectively. The cleaning potential analysis confirmed that the extracts could be used as primary surfactants. Seven shampoo formulations were developed, which showed potential to reduce surface tension to the range of 27.1–31.7 mN/m and interfacial tension to the range of 5.4–7.3 mN/m. The wettability, percentage of solids, density, pH, and dirt dispersion of the formulas were within standard ranges, and the sebum removal capacity of the seven formulations was similar to or even better than that of a commercial shampoo.

Effects of heat treatment on the physicochemical parameters of acerola fruit (Malpighia emarginata DC.) juice over maturity indexes

Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) is a tropical fruit characterized by its high content of ascorbic acid and other micronutrients. Since thermal processing is approached to increase the shelf existence of foods and beverages by inactivating microorganisms and enzymes, this research was to investigate the physicochemical changes of acerola fruit juice under heat treatments. On behalf of ripeness, three stages of unripe, semi-ripe, and fully ripe acerola fruits were investigated. Under the heat treatment of 80°C for 20 minutes, the unripe fruits resulted in a juice with high bioactive contents including ascorbic acid of 1609.67 (mg/100g) and total phenolic content of 1697.87 (mg/100g) but with unattractive color, aroma and taste. Meanwhile, the semi-ripe and fully ripe fruits gave the juices with slightly lower content of biological compounds, however, with better sensorial characteristics. On behalf of the effect of heating regime, the fully ripe one, with remaining vitamin C content of 1109.68 (mg/100g) upwards after the thermal treatments of 70 to 90°C for 10 to 30 minutes, revealed extensive application of acerola fruit in food processing. Kinetic degradation study showed lower retention of vitamin C content (AAC) in the juices compared to that of phenolic components (TPC). The study also confirmed the higher activation energy of TPC than that of AAC in acerola fruit. In conclusion, comprehension of the change of acerola fruit juice under thermal treatments is crucial for optimizing quality of the product during processing.

The influence of polydextrose on freeze-dried unripe acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) by the concept of a state diagram

Unripe acerola powders obtained from freeze-drying without (AV) and with polydextrose (AP) were characterized by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and vapor sorption isotherms at (25, 35, and 45) °C in water activity ( a w ) range of 0.10–0.90. State diagrams built from DSC results, such as the glass transition ( T g ) and freezing ( T m ) points, were compared with those of the sorption isotherms. The Gordon-Taylor equation presented a good fit for T g , in which the solids glass transition increased and the k parameter decreased in the presence of polydextrose. The isotherms obtained were Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) type III, and the Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB) equation fitted to the experimental data showed slightly higher monolayer water content for AP, and not affected by temperature. Although there was a divergence in the stability when comparing the criteria of a w and T g , polydextrose increased the a w and T g of freeze-dried unripe acerola and conferred a stabler powder. • The stability criterion between water activity and glass transition was studied. • State diagrams of unripe acerola with polydextrose were built. • Polydextrose used as a drying aid increased the glass transition temperature. • Sorption isotherms of unripe acerola powders were BET Type III.

Composition, fatty acids profile, oxidative stability, and acceptance of meat from broiler chickens fed acerola ( Malpighia emarginata) meal-enriched diets

The large production of broilers and fruits in Brazil demands the exploration of new sources of nutrients for the birds and of sustainable disposal of the fruit industrialization wastes. The effects of feeding broiler chickens with residues from acerola industrialization (AM) on meat composition, fatty acids profile, oxidative stability and sensory characteristics were evaluated. Four soybean-corn based diets were tested: negative control, with no antioxidant nor AM; positive control, with butyl hydroxytoluene (BHT) and no AM; and two diets containing either 5 or 7.5% AM and no antioxidant. Official validated methods were used for the chemical and sensorial analyses of the meat. On breast, 7.5% AM increased protein (14.13%) and ash (10.6%) concentrations. On both cuts, AM reduced around 30% the cholesterol levels, decreased saturated fatty acids, increased polyunsaturated fatty acids and reduced n-6:n-3. AM at 5% delayed the onset of lipid peroxidation in frozen stored breasts more than did the antioxidant BHT (36 x 22.5 days). Breasts from treatment containing BHT had the worst sensorial acceptance by consumers. The addition of acerola meal to broiler chickens’ diets revealed a good option to provide healthier meat with longer shelf life, besides representing a way of reducing fruit waste in the environment.

Use of ultrasound and acerola (Malpighia emarginata) residue extract in meat pork

Consumers are more demanding in relation to meat quality, developing new demands, such as increased shelf life and good sensory quality. The tenderness of the meat is one of the most important elements in the choice of the product, the modification in the intrinsic structure of the meat, for example, increase of the proteolysis and fragmentation of the myofibrils contribute to the improvement of the tenderness. However, it is necessary to develop technological strategies so that this ultrasound technology can be added to improve meat tenderness. Thus, the objective of this review was to know the main aspects of the use of ultrasound and acerola residue in meat tenderness. Overall, existing research demonstrates excellent prospects for this new redesign approach.

Caracterização e organização dinâmica de dois sistemas agroflorestais no semiárido paraibano e sua contribuição para melhoria das condições socioeconômicas de famílias agricultoras

ABSTRACT: The socio-economic vulnerability of family farmers in Brazilian semi-arid regions, combined with the intense degradation of the Caatinga biome, entails the use of alternatives that allow people to remain in the countryside while recovering the environment. Are agroforestry systems (AFS), which are based on the ecological, economic, and social interactions existing in a production system, an alternative? The present study described the structure, organization, and floristic composition of two AFS and analyzed the soil fertility of the two AFSimplanted in the semi-arid region of Paraíba. This study revealed that the farmers consider the AFS to be less harmful to the environment as it provides greater protection to the soil and better-qualityfood. Thegreatest challenges wereobtaining water during drought season and the need foran extra workforce. Nevertheless, the produce from these systemswas sufficient to provide for the families. Several varieties of fruit species were found in both the AFS studied, and Malpighia emarginata (acerola) was the most predominant. The soils of the two AFS presented a practically neutral pH the and high percentage of base saturation,thereby falling under the category of eutrophic soil with high fertility, and are ideal for growingany type of crop.

A review about acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) by-products as a promising raw material for the generation of green products

A review about acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) by-products as a promising raw material for the generation of green products

Quality changes of acerola fruit harvested at different maturity stages and exposed to external ethylene

Although acerola (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) has been suggested to be a climacteric fruit, little is known about its sensitivity to exogenous ethylene. The objective of the study was to evaluate the quality changes of acerola fruit at two harvest maturity stages in response to external ethylene application. ‘Flor Branca’ and ‘Junko’ acerolas were harvested at the maturity stages 1 (green fruit with density>1 g cm-3) and 2(green fruit with density <1 g cm-3) and were treated with 0 or 1,000 µL L-1 of ethylene for 24 hours at 12 ºC.The fruit were stored at 12 ºC with relative humidity of 90-95% for 14 days. Both cultivars harvested at the maturity stage 2 showed skin color change from green to red during storage, which was not observed in fruit harvested at the maturity stage 1.External ethylene had no effect on 'Flor Branca' and 'Junko' acerolas respiration rate, flesh firmness, skin color, weight loss, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (AT), SS/AT ratio, and ascorbic acid contents. The classification of green acerolas by density was an effective approach to determine fruit harvest maturity for fresh consumption.

Effects of acerola (Malpighia emarginata) by-product on performance, carcass traits, antioxidant activity, and meat quality of growing rabbits

Two experiments were carried out to determine the nutritional value of acerola by-product (ABP) and the effects of dietary supply of this by-product on performance, carcass traits, biochemical parameters, antioxidant status, and meat quality of growing rabbits. In the digestibility experiment, 36 rabbits (18 males and 18 females) were allocated between 3 treatments (reference diet and two test diet, composed by 850 g/kg reference diet and 150 g/kg ABP; and 700 g/kg reference diet and 300 g/kg ABP). The ABP contained 100 g/kg crude protein (CP), 47.5 g/kg ether extract (EE), 698 g/kg neutral detergent fibre (aNDFom), 548 g/kg acid detergent fibre (ADFom), and 18.4 MJ digestible energy (DE)/kg per dry matter (DM). In the performance experiment, 120 rabbits (60 males and 60 females) were allocated in a 5 × 2 factorial design study, with five inclusion levels of ABP (0, 80, 160, 240 and 320 g/kg) and 2 genders. The regression analysis, the inclusion of ABP had a quadratic effect on final weight, daily feed intake, carcass weight, scapular fat, and overall score, with best estimated levels at 158, 265, 220, 249 and 270 g/kg, respectively (P < 0.05). ABP promoted a linear increase on the feed conversion, visceral fat, phenolic compounds in rabbit meat, antioxidant potential and total antioxidant activity (P < 0.05). ABP supply in rabbits’ diets linearly decreased the digestibility coefficients of CP, aNDFom and ADFom, cooking loss and Warner-Bratzler shear force (P < 0.05). Male rabbits had lower antioxidant potential and total antioxidant activity than female rabbits (P < 0.05). Acerola by-product enhances final weight, daily feed intake, carcass traits, meat quality, and antioxidant status of growing rabbits. Female rabbits have better antioxidant status than males.

Biological control of fruit flies: When to use more than one parasitoid species

We tested if the combined use of the parasitoids Fopius arisanus (Sonan) and Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) provides higher efficiency in controlling C. capitata populations, rather than used alone, on acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.), guava (Psidium guajava L.), and mango (Mangifera indica L.). The efficiency or parasitism rates for F. arisanus and D. longicaudata, used alone or sequentially, ranged from 2.02 to 56.37 % among the crops surveyed. However, we can obtain the real efficiency of these parasitoids if we consider how much they avoid the emergence of fruit fly host, which is called efficacy. When used alone, the efficacy rates of F. arisanus and D. longicaudata on C. capitata were respectively 41.95 and 72.81 % on acerola; 53.76 and 44.95 % on guava; and 40.29 and 8.40 % on mango. However, when both species were used together, the efficacy of C. capitata control was 71.42, 76.58, and 36.86 % on acerola, guava, and mango, respectively. Therefore, to better achieve improved biological control efficacy, we recommend using D. longicaudata alone on acerola; F. arisanus on mango, and the combined use of both species on guava.

Vacuum Microwave Drying of Acerola Residue: Effects of Pre-treatment and Operating Variables on Main Bioactive Compounds

Even though the residue from the processing of acerola (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) has significant amounts of vitamin C and other bioactive compounds at the same level as the pulp and the juice of this fruit, it also has a high moisture content level (> 80%). In this work, the drying performance of acerola residue in a microwave oven combined with a vacuum environment was investigated. The effect of pretreatment with ethanol on this drying process was successfully analyzed, together with the influence of main process variables on the moisture removal and the main bioactive compounds of this by-product of the fruit industry. The values obtained for the bioactive compounds after drying could be classified as intermediate concentrations, thus showing a good potential to be used as food additives. The growth of mesophilic bacteria, molds, and yeasts in acerola residues was not observed for the dried material at a final moisture content below 26.2% (wb).Graphical Abstract