Brazilian Caatinga Research Articles

Biocultural restoration improves delivery of ecosystem services in social‐ecological landscapes

Increasing local people and indigenous communities' participation on restoration programs is widely recommended as a way to increase restoration long‐term benefits and local people's commitment with restored lands. Here, we demonstrate how traditional knowledge can provide crucial information on usefulness of plant species that increases direct value of forest and landscape restoration programs. Our study analyzed secondary data from 73 studies that assessed indigenous and local knowledge regarding plant's utility across the densely populated dry forest of the Brazilian Caatinga. Our results suggest that highly valued plants represent a relatively small number of useful species (52 out of 632 useful species) that account for more than half of the plant services (i.e. functional space represented by the uses people give to plants). Interestingly, these plants belonged to closely related lineages, suggesting that people must select plants based on phylogenetically conserved traits that provide utility. We propose that accounting for indigenous and local knowledge in early phases of restoration process such as species selection can both maximize classical restoration targets (e.g. species diversity) and increase delivery of ecosystem services to forest‐dependent people. Such an interdisciplinary integration moves us a step closer to ambitious targets set for global ecosystem restoration based on fair and inclusive participation of indigenous people and local communities.

Individual and interactive effects of chronic anthropogenic disturbance and rainfall on taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic composition and diversity of extrafloral nectary-bearing plants in Brazilian Caatinga.

Chronic anthropogenic disturbance (CAD) and climate change represent two of the major threats to biodiversity globally, but their combined effects are not well understood. Here we investigate the individual and interactive effects of increasing CAD and decreasing rainfall on the composition and taxonomic (TD), functional (FD) and phylogenetic diversity (PD) of plants possessing extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) in semi-arid Brazilian Caatinga. EFNs attract ants that protect plants against insect herbivore attack and are extremely prevalent in the Caatinga flora. EFN-bearing plants were censused along gradients of disturbance and rainfall in Catimbau National Park in north-eastern Brazil. We recorded a total of 2243 individuals belonging to 21 species. Taxonomic and functional composition varied along the rainfall gradient, but not along the disturbance gradient. There was a significant interaction between increasing disturbance and decreasing rainfall, with CAD leading to decreased TD, FD and PD in the most arid areas, and to increased TD, FD and PD in the wettest areas. We found a strong phylogenetic signal in the EFN traits we analysed, which explains the strong matching between patterns of FD and PD along the environmental gradients. The interactive effects of disturbance and rainfall revealed by our study indicate that the decreased rainfall forecast for Caatinga under climate change will increase the sensitivity of EFN-bearing plants to anthropogenic disturbance. This has important implications for the availability of a key food resource, which would likely have cascading effects on higher trophic levels.

The Brazilian Caatinga protected areas: an extremely unbalanced conservation system

SummaryThe semiarid Caatinga is the largest Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest and Woodland (SDTFW) in the Neotropics. Yet the vast majority of the Caatinga is unprotected, with severe chronic anthropogenic use, exotic species and global warming among its most immediate threats. Here, we contrast the current Caatinga protected areas (PAs) scenery with that of other SDTFWs in the Neotropics. We also analyse the growth process of the PAs in the Caatinga over time across Brazilian PA categories and jurisdictions. The percentage of Caatinga that is protected is average among the SDTFWs. Caatinga has more state than federal PAs; however, the size of the PAs is greater under a federal jurisdiction. Nonetheless, in both jurisdictions, Environmental Protected Areas, one of the least restrictive categories, are more representative in terms of total area, corresponding to nearly 80% of the Caatinga PA system. Our results are relevant for international conservation goals because they depict the current PA scenery and clarify the challenges for achieving the actual preservation of the unique Caatinga biome.

Chemical Profile of Elements in the Stingless Bee Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides (Hymenoptera: Apidae).

Bees represent efficient bioindicators of environmental contamination, including elements that can accumulate in both biomes and bee-derived products. Therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate the presence of metallic elements over the body surface of Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides workers from rural and urban areas from Caatinga in Brazil. Using SEM/XEDS (scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) identified magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), molybdenum (Mo), cadmium (Cd), barium (Ba), and lead (Pb) in the corbiculae of bees. The areas had similar profiles, but As was characterized as a "trace element" in the agricultural area and "minor element" in the urban area. The presence of toxic elements such as As, Cd, and Pb indicates that both areas may be contaminated, revealing the importance of metallic elements microanalysis in native bee species for environmental biomonitoring.

The acoustic behavior of the Brazilian caatinga big rodent is incongruent to its actual position in Hydrochoerinae

Our knowledge about the acoustic behavior of Caviinae species drove us to investigate Kerodon rupestris’s (Caviidae: Hydrochoerinae) repertoire. This species is endemic to Caatinga and states as vulnerable in the Brazilian list of endangered species. We recorded sounds uttered by individuals from Santa Luzia, State of Paraíba, Brazil. We promoted interactions among 13 animals during intra and intersexual pairing sessions, under undisturbed interactions in captivity, and in free-living conditions. We found a repertoire of 13 call types, most of them (all except three) shared with Cavia and only five possibly shared also with Hydrochoerus: (1) Close contact and cohesion: tonal and noisy contact calls, tweet, slow-whistle; (2) Social regulation (incitement, subordination or auto-defense): whine, peepy-squeak, yelp; (3) Offensive aggression and status display: roar, snort, and teeth-chattering (4) Warning or intimidation: alarm-whistle, drrr, and drumming; (5) Courtship: purr and slow-whistle. The similarity of Kerodon signals to Hydrochoerinae species, despite the ecological differences, needs to be understood in comparative phylogenetic studies tracing back the origin of the courtship display in Caviidae. Thus, future research should focus on playback studies to test signals' biological function hypothesis.

Flavonoid-rich fraction of Croton blanchetianus Baill. (Euphorbiaceae) leaves: Chemical profile, acute and subacute toxicities, genotoxicity and antioxidant potential

Croton blanchetianus Baill, commonly known as “marmeleiro”, is native to the Brazilian Caatinga is traditional used to treat joint pain and gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of the study was identify the chemical constituents by HPLC-DAD and determine the antioxidant activity of the spray-dried extract (SDE) aqueous (AqF) and ethyl acetate (EAF) fractions obtained from the leaves of C. blanchetianus; and to determine the acute (single dose, 2000 or 5000 mg/kg, p.o) and subacute (repeated dose, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg, p.o) toxicities, and genotoxicity (1000 and 2000 mg/kg, p.o) of the EAF in mice. In the acute oral toxicity assay the LD50 was determined as > 5000 mg/kg. In the subacute toxicity, changes in weight gain, food and water intake, hematological, organ coefficients, oxidative stress parameters were not observed; however, changes in transaminases and leukocyte infiltration in the liver were observed at the highest dose. The genotoxicity test showed that high concentrations of EAF were not genotoxic in micronucleus and comet assays. The enrichment process was confirmed by HPLC and five flavonoids were identified. Our results provide evidence that the EAF was safe to use, although a long-term dose of 1000 mg/kg in should be avoided.

Jurasai ypauoca sp. nov., the sixth species of Jurasaidae, with a key to species of the genus (Coleoptera: Elateroidea)

ABSTRACT Jurasaidae are a small family of elateroid beetles. Jurasai Rosa, et al. 2020 is composed of four species, all occurring in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest and Caatinga biomes. Here, I describe the sixth species of the family, Jurasai ypauoca sp. nov., collected in a sample from a Malaise trap from the continental island of Ilha Grande, Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. I provide detailed illustrations of the new species morphology, along with a map of Jurasaidae species distribution. A key to the identification of Jurasai species is also presented. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C324AC50-1A8D-408A-B4A5-3394EEB4F202

Bat-ectoparasitic fly relationships in a seasonally dry tropical forest in Brazil.

Bat ectoparasitic flies are hematophagous insects highly specialized to parasitize only bats. Knowledge about how biotic and abiotic factors can influence ecological relationships between parasites and hosts is in general incipient. Large information gaps are even worst in biodiversity-rich, but poorly sampled areas like Brazil's Caatinga, the largest tropical dry forest in South America. We used bats and their highly specialized ectoparasitic flies as a study model to clarify some aspects of this host-parasite system in this semiarid environment. We conducted fieldwork at 55 sites in the Caatinga, between April 2017 and March 2020 and collected 1300 flies (19 species) on 333 bats (15 species). Bat ectoparasitic flies were highly host-specific, had an aggregated distribution, frequently formed infracommunities with only one species, and had a male-biased sex ratio. Except for the prevalence of the streblid fly Strebla guajiro on Carollia perspicillata, which was significantly higher in the rainy season, bat flies showed no preference - expressed by frequency and intensity of infestation - for host sex, and their interspecific relationships were not mediated by rainfall. Other variables that could potentially be interfering in this host-parasite relationship deserve further attention, especially in environments such as the Caatinga where there is great seasonal variation. Furthermore, the existence of species-specific responses must be taken into account.

Do essential oils from plants occurring in the Brazilian Caatinga biome present antifungal potential against dermatophytoses? A systematic review

The Caatinga is an exclusively Brazilian biome where semiarid climatic conditions promote singularities in adaptive biodiversity. Many aromatic species are found in this region possessing antifungal properties, which are attributed to their essential oils. Thus, we questioned whether essential plant oils found in the Caatinga present anti-dermatophytic potential. Dermatophytes are keratinophilic fungi that cause one of the most prevalent mycoses globally, skin infections known as dermatophytoses (tineas). Here, we provide a comprehensive report of the available published information, analyzing the methods used to evaluate the antifungal activity, verifying the quality of the evidence and possible clinical applications, and discussing research trends in this area. The plants studied concentrated in the genera Croton (Euphorbiaceae), Lippia (Verbenaceae), Piper (Piperaceae), and Mentha (Lamiaceae). All of the studies used in vitro tests to analyze antifungal potential, and little evidence was ascertained concerning the mechanism of antifungal action. In addition, the essential oils also evidenced drug modifying activity of conventional antifungal drugs (Ketoconazole and Terbinafine). We believe that the anti-dermatophyte potential of plant essential oils occurring within the Caatinga is underestimated and that this review will encourage future chemical-pharmacological investigations into the plants within this biome.Key points• The essential oils from plants occurring in the Caatinga Biome present unknown anti-dermatophyte potential.• The studies against dermatophyte fungi concentrate on the families Lamiaceae and Verbenaceae.• In vitro assays were used to assess the anti-dermatophyte potential of the essential oils.

Purification, Characterization, and Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity and Toxicity of Portulaca elatior Leaf Lectin (PeLL).

Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins with several bioactivities, including antimicrobial properties. Portulaca elatior is a species found at Brazilian Caatinga and data on the biochemical composition of this plant are scarce. The present work describes the purification of P. elatior leaf lectin (PeLL) as well as the assessment of its antimicrobial activity and toxicity. PeLL, isolated by chromatography on a chitin column, had native liquid charge and subunit composition evaluated by electrophoresis. Hemagglutinating activity (HA) of PeLL was determined in the presence of carbohydrates or divalent cations, as well as after heating and incubation at different pH values. Changes in the lectin conformation were monitored by evaluating intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence and using the extrinsic probe bis-ANS. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Pectobacterium strains and Candida species. The minimal inhibitory (MIC), bactericidal (MBC), and fungicidal (MFC) concentrations were determined. Finally, PeLL was evaluated for in vitro hemolytic activity in human erythrocytes and in vivo acute toxicity in mice (5 and 10mg/kg b.w. per os). PeLL (pI 5.4; 20kDa) had its HA was inhibited by mannose, galactose, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Mn2+. PeLL HA was resistant to heating at 100°C, although conformational changes were detected. PeLL was more active in the acidic pH range, in which no conformational changes were observed. The lectin presented MIC and MBC of 0.185 and 0.74μg/mL for all Pectobacterium strains, respectively; MIC of 1.48μg/mL for C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. krusei; MIC and MFC of 0.74 and 2.96μg/mL for C. parapsilosis. No hemolytic activity or signs of acute toxicity were observed in the mice. In conclusion, a new, low-toxic, and thermostable lectin was isolated from P. elatior leaves, being the first plant compound to show antibacterial activity against Pectobacterium.

A Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Poeppigia (Fabaceae: Dialioideae)

Poeppigia is a Neotropical genus of legumes that occurs from Mexico and Cuba to eastern Brazil and is considered until now to be monospecific with two varieties. Being one of the 17 genera in the subfamily Dialioideae, Poeppigia stands out as one of the few genera with not reduced perianth and androecium, representing a possible link between this subfamily and the other Fabaceae. The genus was never revised since several taxa were described in the XIX century and lack of recent studies and proper typification. Here we revised the genus taxonomically with the analysis of more than 400 specimens and proposed the acceptance of two species: P. procera, distributed on tropical forests from Mexico to Amazon and Southeast Brazil and P. densiflora, endemic of Brazilian Caatinga. The two species are distinct for many characters as habitus, size of branch, leaf and fruits, number of leaflets, stipules and bracts and form of inflorescence. Seed, embryo, pollen and seedling descriptions, conservation assessments, illustrations, maps of distribution and an identification key are presented. Nomenclatural, biogeographical, and ecological comments and three new lectotypifications are made.

Anatomical characterization and technological properties of Pterogyne nitens wood, a very interesting species of the Brazilian Caatinga biome

Pterogyne nitens is commonly known in northeastern Brazil as a lesser-known fast-growing species in the Caatinga biome, which is a difficult place for tree development due to the low natural fertility soils and low availability of water. Due to the importance of expanding information about the anatomical wood properties of Caatinga native species, the aim of this work was to characterize the anatomical elements, to macroscopically describe the wood and make inferences about its possible end-uses. Maceration was performed which enabled measuring fiber dimensions, pore frequency and the following technological indexes: cell wall fraction, slenderness ratio, Runkel index and flexibility coefficient. Histological sections enabled describing the arrangements of the cellular elements in different observation sections and to determine the pore diameter. P. nitens wood has anatomical arrangements characterized by confluent axial parenchyma, being diffuse-porous with the presence of tylosis and heterogeneous/stratified rays (biseriate). The fibers were classified as very short (length 0.81 mm), not flexible and Runkel index 0.82. The pores were few in number with a frequency of 32.9 pores/mm2, distributed in a diffuse format and many were obstructed by tylosis. Based on the anatomical results and considering other technological studies, P. nitens wood is most suitable for charcoal production.

Bat–flower interaction networks in Caatinga reveal generalized associations and temporal stability

AbstractSeasonal variation in precipitation regimes influences species composition and plant–animal interactions. Such temporal variation is especially relevant in the Brazilian Caatinga, the largest Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest in South America, where bat pollination is unusually frequent in comparison with other tropical plant communities. Here, we describe seasonal and annual variations of the interaction networks between nectarivorous bats and flower species in the Caatinga. Five species of nectar‐feeding bats interacted with 30 plant species. Nectarivorous bats showed high levels of interaction overlap, which contributed to ecological generalization (low specialization and modularity) and lack of nestedness in the interaction networks. This pattern was consistent across seasons and years. Chiropterophilous and non‐chiropterophilous plants were equally important components of the interaction network. The generalized interaction patterns found may be a necessary condition for the persistence of nectarivorous bats and their specialized plants in the environmentally harsh and variable Caatinga. The underappreciated generalized interactions of bats with plants calls for studies testing the effectiveness of bats in pollinating the plants they visit, including those not typically categorized as “bat‐flowers”.Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.

Plastome evolution in the Caesalpinia group (Leguminosae) and its application in phylogenomics and populations genetics.

The chloroplast genomes of Caesalpinia group species are structurally conserved, but sequence level variation is useful for both phylogenomic and population genetic analyses. Variation in chloroplast genomes (plastomes) has been an important source of information in plant biology. The Caesalpinia group has been used as a model in studies correlating ecological and genomic variables, yet its intergeneric and infrageneric relationships are not fully solved, despite densely sampled phylogenies including nuclear and plastid loci by Sanger sequencing. Here, we present the de novo assembly and characterization of plastomes from 13 species from the Caesalpinia group belonging to eight genera. A comparative analysis was carried out with 13 other plastomes previously available, totalizing 26 plastomes and representing 15 of the 26 known Caesalpinia group genera. All plastomes showed a conserved quadripartite structure and gene repertoire, except for the loss of four ndh genes in Erythrostemon gilliesii. Thirty polymorphic regions were identified for inter- or intrageneric analyses. The 26 aligned plastomes were used for phylogenetic reconstruction, revealing a well-resolved topology, and dividing the Caesalpinia group into two fully supported clades. Sixteen microsatellite (cpSSR) loci were selected from Cenostigma microphyllum for primer development and at least two were cross-amplified in different Leguminosae subfamilies by in vitro or in silico approaches. Four loci were used to assess the genetic diversity of C. microphyllum in the Brazilian Caatinga. Our results demonstrate the structural conservation of plastomes in the Caesalpinia group, offering insights into its systematics and evolution, and provides new genomic tools for future phylogenetic, population genetics, and phylogeographic studies.

Novelties in Dyckia (Pitcairnioideae ‐ Bromeliaceae) from the South America dry diagonal: Two new species, a new combination and a new name

AbstractDyckia is a South American genus mostly distributed in the Brazilian Cerrado and Caatinga domains, which are part of the South American dry diagonal where it represents an important floristic and ecological component. Following phylogenetic studies, the genus was recently expanded to include species previously placed in Encholirium and Deuterocohnia. With this new delimitation, Dyckia comprises ca. 220 species, of which some are micro‐endemic. We present novelties in the genus for the South American dry diagonal based on fieldwork, herbarium specimens and the literature. Two new micro‐endemic species are described: Dyckia avacanoeira, endemic to Chapada dos Veadeiros; and Dyckia oreadica, endemic to the Jalapão region. We provide complete descriptions, illustrations, distribution maps, photographs, preliminary conservation assessments and comments on the taxonomy and ecology of the two species. Additionally, in view of the new circumscription of Dyckia, we provide a new name, Dyckia viridiflora, to replace an illegitimate name, and a new combination, Dyckia josinoi‐narcisae, for a species previously placed in Encholirium.

Nocturnal and diurnal pollination in Copaifera coriacea, a dominant species in sand dunes of the Middle São Francisco River Basin, Northeastern Brazil

Background and aims – Copaifera coriacea, a species in the resin-producing clade Detarioideae (Leguminosae), is an endemic and abundant species found in sand dunes in Brazilian Caatinga domain vegetation – a Quaternary paleodesert. We investigated floral traits and aspects of pollination biology, focusing on the pollination system of C. coriacea. Material and methods – Anthesis duration, stigma receptivity, pollen viability, nectar concentration, and the presence of osmophores and pigments reflecting UV light were assessed. Floral visitors were classified as potential pollinators, occasional pollinators or thieves, based on the time and foraging behaviour and resource collected. Pollination effectiveness were assessed for potential pollinators by the detection of pollen tubes on the stigma or stylar canal by epifluorescence microscopy.Key results – The species has white and small flowers, with anthesis beginning in the dark (ca 00:30) and the flowers are completely opened approximately 3 h later, when a sweet odour is perceptible. The onset of stigma receptivity and pollen grain viability occurs only after the completion of flower opening, and a concentrated nectar is available during the day. The presence of pollen tubes confirmed the efficiency of the main insects in the transfer of pollen. Conclusion – Our result demonstrates that C. coriacea has a generalist pollination system mediated mainly by two distinct guilds of insect pollinators: moths (nocturnal, searching for nectar) and bees (diurnal, pollen collectors). This finding can provide more information about diversification in the genus Copaifera.

How hidden is the diversity of the genus Cosmarium (Desmidiaceae) in the Brazilian Caatinga?

The Caatinga domain is the largest and most diverse tropical semiarid ecoregion of South America; however, little is known about the diversity of desmids it harbors, especially the genus Cosmarium (Desmidiaceae, Zygnematophyceae). Our study contributes to the knowledge of Cosmarium in the Caatinga through the report of 42 interesting taxa, including a new species (Cosmarium imperiale), 22 new records for South America, and 19 additions to the desmid flora from Brazil. The samples were gathered from periphytic material from the “Pantanal dos Marimbus” in the Chapada Diamantina region of Northeast Brazil. We provide taxonomic notes, ecological information, including habitat conditions with limnological data, and updated global distributions for all taxa of Cosmarium. A complementary quantitative study was performed during the last year of sampling (2018), which revealed that most taxa have their highest densities in the months with low precipitation and when the water's conductivity and transparency are greater. Our results also have implications for the conservation of the biota from Marimbus do Baiano and understand South America's desmids' biogeography since some rare taxa identified here were previously only known from other continents such as Europe and Africa.

English

Mandacaru (Cereus jamacaru DC. Subsp. Jamacaru) is native to the Brazilian Caatinga and is part of the Cactaceae family. Mandacaru fruits are attractive in taste and flavour, although they are not widely commercialised. However, there is limited scientific literature on the composition of this fruit. Therefore, the present work was aimed at analysing the physicochemical composition, as well as in vitro antioxidant activity, phytochemical profile, and cytotoxicity of mandacaru fruit from three different locations in the Brazilian State of Sergipe. The pulp and peel of mandacaru fruit used in this study presented low Vitamin C concentration, mean values between batches 18.2 mg. 100 g-1 (pulp) and 27.5 mg. 100 g-1 (peel). The pulp of mandacaru fruit from the region of Monte Alegre presented the highest concentration of apparent phenolic compounds (117.2 mg. EAG g-1) and antioxidant activity evaluated by the inhibition of the ABTS radical (22.4 μmol. trolox g-1). The chemical profile of mandacaru fruit consisted of o-coumaric and p-coumaric acids, but they were not considered to be cytotoxic; thus, this native fruit is suitable for consumption, exhibiting relevant amounts of apparent phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Further studies are needed to prolong the shelf life of the fruit for commercialisation. Key words: Cereus jamacaru, antioxidant activity, phytochemical profile, Caatinga.

Amazonocrinis nigriterrae gen. nov., sp. nov., Atlanticothrix silvestris gen. nov., sp. nov. and Dendronalium phyllosphericum gen. nov., sp. nov., nostocacean cyanobacteria from Brazilian environments.

The cyanobacterial genus Nostoc is an important contributor to carbon and nitrogen bioavailability in terrestrial ecosystems and a frequent partner in symbiotic relationships with non-diazotrophic organisms. However, since this currently is a polyphyletic genus, the diversity of Nostoc-like cyanobacteria is considerably underestimated at this moment. While reviewing the phylogenetic placement of previously isolated Nostoc-like cyanobacteria originating from Brazilian Amazon, Caatinga and Atlantic forest samples, we detected 17 strains isolated from soil, freshwater, rock and tree surfaces presenting patterns that diverged significantly from related strains when ecological, morphological, molecular and genomic traits were also considered. These observations led to the identification of the evaluated strains as representative of three novel nostocacean genera and species: Amazonocrinis nigriterrae gen. nov., sp. nov.; Atlanticothrix silvestris gen. nov., sp. nov.; and Dendronalium phyllosphericum gen. nov., sp. nov., which are herein described according to the rules of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants. This finding highlights the great importance of tropical and equatorial South American ecosystems for harbouring an unknown microbial diversity in the face of the anthropogenic threats with which they increasingly struggle.

Biotransformation of the Brazilian Caatinga fruit-derived phenolics by Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 and Lacticaseibacillus casei 01 impacts bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity

This study aims to evaluate the effect of fermentation of fruit purees (seriguela, mangaba, mango, and acerola) with Lacticaseibacillus casei 01 and/or Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-05 on the profile and bioaccessibility of phenolics and antioxidant activity. The physicochemical parameters and sugar and organic acid contents were also measured for evaluating the fermentation system. Fruit purees were adequate substrates for the growth of probiotic cultures, presenting high viability in the product and after simulated gastrointestinal conditions (≥7 log CFU/g). The fermentation with probiotic cultures increased the lactic acid (8.45–15.44 mg/mL), acetic acid (0.05–1.05 mg/mL), and phenolic contents and bioaccessibility, while the pH values and glucose and fructose contents were decreased (p < 0.05). L. acidophilus was found in higher counts in seriguela puree (8.00 ± 0.03), resulting in a higher consumption of maltose, fructose, and glucose, increased phenolic compounds content and bioacessibility and higher antioxidant activity (p < 0.05). The co-cultivation of both probiotic strains showed promising results for mango, mangaba and seriguela purees, resulting in an increased content and bioaccessibility of phenolics and higher antioxidant activity (p < 0.05). Our findings demonstrate for the first time that the Brazilian Caatinga fruit-derived phenolics can be biotransformed by Lactobacillus and amended genera probiotics to bioaccesible phenolics with antioxidant activity. The knowledge obtained from this study will provide fundamental concepts of the use of synergistic probiotics for future fermentation of other fruit purees to increase the bioaccesibility and antioxidant activity of biotransformed phenolic compounds.