Eugenia Dysenterica Research Articles

Acetic Fermentation of Cagaita Pulp: Technological and Chemical Characteristics

The Brazilian Cerrado region has a rich plant diversity, with fruits that have peculiar and unique sensory characteristics. For these reasons, using these fruits for biotechnological production is a promising alternative, mainly to protect this biome from deforestation and degradation. The production of fermented acetic acid is an option to add value to native fruits and offer the market beverages with better nutritional quality and bioactive compounds. This work aimed to characterize fruits and to develop cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica DC.) acetic fermented beverage. The fruits were subjected to physical-chemical analyses in the first part. Subsequently, different treatments for fermentation were tested using two types of enzymes (amylase and pectinase), two subspecies of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast (UFLA CA11 and thermoresistant LNF Angel), and the chaptalization of the must with sucrose (16 °Brix). Alcoholic fermentation was carried out in an incubator with temperature control at 34 ± 1 °C. The pH, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, alcohol content, and density of the fermented products were monitored daily. The chaptalized must with amylase addition and thermoresistant yeast had the best performance during alcoholic fermentation, demonstrating that thermoresistant yeast is an economically advantageous and efficient alternative for the cagaita juice fermentation process. Subsequently, acetic fermentation was carried out using the slow method. Heat-resistant yeast without added enzymes was used to produce cagaita acetic fermented beverages within the parameters of the Brazilian legislation. Furthermore, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in the final product were observed. The work demonstrated the possibility of using cagaita fruits in biotechnological processes to produce new food products.

Physicochemical characterization of the fresh fruit and jelly of Eugenia dysenterica (Myrtaceae) from the Cerrado of Goiás, Brazil

Physicochemical characterization of the fresh fruit and jelly of Eugenia dysenterica (Myrtaceae) from the Cerrado of Goiás, Brazil

Cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica) jams with paste and dough textures: physical, chemical, and antioxidant evaluation

Jams with paste and dough textures were developed from cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica DC), in which the physicochemical parameters, proximal analysis, and antioxidant activity during storage were characterized. The jams were stored, and the analyses were carried out every 2 months so that possible variations during 8-month storage time were observed. The values were significant (p < 0.05) for most of the variables studied when comparing the two products concerning time. The main variations were humidity, pH, and total titratable acidity. The storage and conditioning of the products influenced the proximal and antioxidant composition values. The production, commercialization, and consumption of cagaita jams are recommended to contribute to income generation and improvement of nutritional support, especially for individuals living in the Cerrado region.

Biodiesel production from cagaite seeds (Eugenia dysentericaDC) oil: An alternative for biofuel production

AbstractIn the present work, cagaite (Eugenia dysenterica DC.) seed oil was studied as a potential inedible raw material for biodiesel production. The oil was extracted using a Soxhlet extractor and the fatty acids acyl esters that make up biodiesel were obtained by alkaline transesterification using sodium hydroxide. The influence of reaction parameters was also evaluated: molar ratio, time, and amount of catalyst. The conversion of fatty acids into fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), which make up biodiesel, was calculated using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1HNMR) spectra. In a 30 min reaction period, the molar ratio of oil to methanol was 1:4, resulting in a conversion of 63.57%. However, when the molar ratio was increased to 1:8, the conversion reached 81.74% during the same 30 min reaction period. After 60 min of reaction, additional increases in conversion were observed when molar ratios of 1:4, 1:6, and 1:8 were used. Under these conditions, the conversions achieved were 92.08%, 98.24%, and 98.78%, respectively. The physico‐chemical properties were evaluated and the results showed that cagaite seed oil biodiesel was similar to soybean biodiesel, which is the most commonly produced biodiesel in Brazil. It was thus an important substitute for soybean biodiesel.

Biometric and morphological adjustments of Eugenia. dysenterica DC. seedlings in response to increased soil water deficit

Water stress can affect all aspects of plant growth and development, compromising its productive potential. The cultivation of fruit species native to the Cerrado and the study of their behavior under conditions of low water availability are necessary activities, in view of their socioeconomic and environmental potential. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of water deficit on growth and biomass production of the cagaita tree (Eugenia dysenterica DC.), a species endemic to the Cerrado (Brazilian Savannah). The experiment was performed in a greenhouse for 120 days in a randomized block design (RBD), with a double factorial arrangement (2x5), corresponding to two cagaita mother plants and five water conditions. We evaluated the growth and leaf, stem and root functional characteristics. The most severe water deficit conditions reduced shoot growth, number of leaves, production of biomass and dry matter and increased the specific and per plant mass root length of cagaita plants. Deficit extension had negative effects on its growth and development. There was a statistical difference between mother plants, with mother plant 2 being more resistant to drought. The application of a severe or longer water deficit affected shoot growth and reduced the appearance of new leaves. The stress caused by water deficiency allowed an increase in root functional characteristics, supporting the hypothesis that plants under adverse conditions focus on higher biomass production and convert a higher amount of dry matter into the roots. Leaf area did not show to be a functional characteristic, explaining the stress effects in E. dysenterica DC plants.

Toxic plants from the perspective of a “Quilombola” community in the Cerrado region of Brazil

A multi-disciplinary team surveyed ranchers at the Kalunga Historical and Cultural Heritage Site, in the Cerrado region of west central Brazil, to determine impacts promoted by toxic plants on cattle. The expedition to the Kalunga region was carried out by Brazilian and American researchers. Previously selected cattle ranch properties from “Vão das Almas”, “Engenho II” and “Vão do Moleque” were visited. Twenty-four interviews were carried out with cattle ranchers and a questionnaire was applied to obtain information about outbreaks of native plant poisoning and their effects on livestock, and the use of local plants in phytotherapy. We classified problematic plants into three distinct categories. First, the toxic plants most cited by residents causing cattle losses were the flowers of Caryocar brasiliense Cambess (“pequi”), the fruits of Terminalia corrugata (Ducke) Gere & Boatwr. (Buchenavia tomentosa Eichler - “mirindiba” or “pau-pilão”), Eugenia dysenterica (Mart.) DC (“cagaita”), and Palicourea marcgravii A. St. Hil (“erva-café” or “cafezinho”). Secondly, other plants considered toxic, but causing less severe losses were Emmotum nitens (Benth.) Miers (“casco d'anta”), Indigofera lespedezioides (Kunth) (“timbozinho”), Ricinus communis L. (“mamona”), Pteridium esculentum (G. Forst.) Cockayne (“samambaia”), Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville (“barbatimão”), and Actinocladum verticillatum (Nees) McClure ex Soderstr. (“cambaúba”). The most important finding was the identification of the C. brasiliense flower as potentially toxic to cattle, which must be subject for future research. Further, we confirmed the toxicity and importance of P. marcgravii, E. dysenterica, and Terminalia corrugata. The survey highlighted phytotherapy plants used by the community, and greatly increased awareness by local livestock producers of poisonous plants for management purposes. We conclude that ethnobotanical knowledge, especially from the traditional community, is essential to understand livestock losses to toxic plants, and should be valued not only for reducing livestock losses, but also for cultural importance to the Kalunga communities in the Cerrado.

Fatty Acid Content and Physicalchemical Properties of Cagaite Seed Oil (Eugenia dysenterica DC) Obtained by Different Extraction Methods

Cagaiteira, the fruit popularly known as cagaite, belongs to the Myrtaceae family. Seed oil cagaite (Eugenia dysenterica DC) was obtained by three methods of extraction, extraction using an ultrasound (OCU), extraction by mechanical pressing (OCP) and extraction with Soxhlet extractor (OCS) in 3 different times (3, 6 and 9 h) and the content of fatty acids and physicalchemical properties were compared. The rate of saturated fatty acids ranged from 19.46% (OCP03) to 31.18% (OCS09), while the amount of unsaturated fatty acids ranged from 54.72% (OCP03) to 67.64% (OCS09). Linoleic and linolenic acids, important in nutrition food, varied between 32.22- 38.11 and 5.55-8.78%. For oxidative stability, OCUAq (heated ultrasound extraction) samples showed the highest induction periods, showing a positive correlation with antioxidant activity and phenol content, demonstrating the efficiency of the use of ultrasonic extraction to obtain quality oils from cagaite seeds.

Thermal and non-thermal treatments in the processing of cagaita nectar - Eugenia dysenterica.

This work aimed to analyze cagaita nectar subjected to different thermal and non-thermal treatments regarding its quality over 30 days of storage (5 °C). Ultra (U) and thermosonication (T) were the techniques used for 30 and 60 minutes of processing samples. These techniques proved to be effective to preserve physicochemical quality, regarding rheology and texture, since ultra and thermosonicated samples had their consistency increased when compared to the pasteurized sample over 30 days, a desirable factor for a fruit nectar. Samples treated more intensely with ultrasound and temperature (Pasteurized, U 25 °C/60 min and T 60 °C/ 30 min) showed higher soluble solids content. The sample U 25 °C/60 min increased its brightness, reduced its firmness and also its consistency after 30 storage days. For all samples there was an increase in carotenoids content and a maintenance of viscosity and cohesiveness (texture) over 30 days, thus indicating that the used treatments can be feasible instead of pasteurization, maintaining the shelf life of cagaita nectar in the time evaluated.

Effect of the Storage Period on the Physiological Quality of Cagaita Seeds (Eugenia dysenterica DC.)

Cagaita seeds quickly lose their germination power when stored in the natural environmental conditions of the Cerrado. Like most native Cerrado species, data on more favorable seed viability conservation conditions are still quite scarce. The experiment was carried out in the greenhouse of the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of the Tocantins in the city of Gurupi - TO, between November 5, 2019, and March 7, 2020. Cagaita seeds (Eugenia dysenterica DC.) were used to perform it. The treatments applied to the seeds consisted of five sowing times, at intervals of three days. In general, the evaluated characteristics showed sensitivity by indicating differences between sowing times, where the highest values, root, and shoot length were obtained when the seeds were sown on 11/05/2019 (12.8 cm; 10.2 cm), respectively, and lower at sowing of 11/17/2019 (7.8 cm; 7.0 cm), respectively. The values obtained from the first emergency count allowed us to differentiate the sowing times at vigor levels, they were influenced by the sowing times. Cagaita seeds, sowing soon after fruit collection, showed higher viability and vigor.

The Active Aroma of “Cerrado” Cashew and Cagaita Fruits: Comparison between Two Extraction Methods

The objective of the present work is to characterize the aroma of “Cerrado” cashew (Anacardium othonianum Rizz.) and cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica) pulps. For this, we used headspace (HS) and two extraction methods (solid-phase extraction, SPE and solid-phase microextraction, SPME), as well as gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for identification of aroma compounds. While SPME was more efficient and extracted 17 and 21 compounds for “Cerrado” cashew and cagaita pulps, respectively, the SPE method extracted 13 compounds for both pulps. SPME showed higher modified frequency (MF), that is, compounds perceived with higher intensity and by number of judges during olfactometry. On the other hand, the results obtained in this work showed that the extraction techniques seem complementary, since some compounds were not identified by SPE, but were identified by SPME, and vice versa.

Etiology, transmission and pathogenicity of fungi associated with Cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica) and Tingui (Magonia pubescens)

Cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica) and Tingui (Magona pubescens) are two species of trees native to the Cerrado, with sociological, economic, and medicinal importance, besides to being used in the recovery of degraded areas. The incidence of plant diseases, as well as the mycoflora associated with their seeds, may represent a possible threat to the survival of the species. The cultivation of trees in the Cerrado Biome, as well as the diseases associated with them, are still poorly studied. The present work aimed to evaluate the mycoflora associated with Cagaita and Tingui seeds, the transmission and pathogenicity of these fungi to plants. The seeds were collected from mother trees located in the municipality of Gurupi and Figueirópolis in the state of Tocantins, Brazil. The blotter-test method was used to evaluate the mycoflora associated with the seeds of both species, with and without asepsis. The fungal incidence per seed was evaluated with the aid of a stereoscopic and optical microscope. The potentially pathogenic fungi identified in the sanitary analysis of the seeds and in the transmission, test were inoculated in the plants in order to confirm Koch's postulates. The transmission test was carried out from non-disinfested seeds until the appearance of symptoms in the seedlings. A total of 11 fungi associated with the seeds of both species were identified. The genus Curvularia showed pathogenicity, causing spots on Cagaita leaves, being also transmitted from seeds to seedlings. The Fusarium genus showed pathogenicity in Tingui seedlings, causing damping-off and wilting. Colletotrichum sp. caused leaf spots on both species and fruit spots on Cagaita.

Thermal and oxidative stability of ethyl soybean biodiesel with cagaite (Eugenia dysenterica DC.) leaves extract as additive

Thermal and oxidative stability of ethyl soybean biodiesel with cagaite (Eugenia dysenterica DC.) leaves extract as additive

RETRACTED ARTICLE] Use of encapsulated commercial enzyme in the hydrolysis optimization of cagaita pulp (Eugenia dysenterica DC)

Cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica DC) is a Brazilian cerrado fruit with great economic potential. It can be consumed in natura or as processed products like juices and pulps. The search for products with lower nutritional and sensorial changes led to the development of non-thermal techniques, where membrane processes stand out. The use of immobilized pectinolytic enzymes to reduce juices and pulps turbidity and viscosity has several advantages over the free enzymes use, such as the enzyme reduction costs and their reuse. The objective was the cagaita pulp hydrolysis optimization step using encapsulated commercial pectinase, the evaluation of its reuse in several cycles and its application in the microfiltration process. The activity of free commercial enzymes and encapsulated in calcium alginate in the pulp was evaluated, mainly the viscosity and turbidity reduction. The optimum conditions for hydrolysis with encapsulated enzymes were: temperature (30 °C), without stirring and enzymatic concentration (570 μL/L), considering the clarity increment and viscosity reduction. After 8 cycles, the encapsulated enzymes maintained 30% of its activity in reducing viscosity, resulting in the reuse possibility. The mean flow rate during the microfiltration (MF) of the hydrolyzed cagaita pulp with encapsulated enzymes was 13.4% higher than the non hydrolyzed pulp, indicating that enzymatic treatment was also efficient in process time reduction. Enzymes encapsulated can be applied by the juices and fruit pulps industries as a pre-process step for MF increasing the permeate flows, reducing operational and input costs.

Use of encapsulated commercial enzyme in the hydrolysis optimization of cagaita pulp (Eugenia dysenterica DC)

Cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica DC) is a Brazilian cerrado fruit with great economic potential and can be consumed in natura or as processed products like juices and pulps. The search for products with lower nutritional and sensorial changes led to the non-thermal techniques development where membrane processes stand out. The use of immobilized pectinolytic enzymes to reduce juices and pulps turbidity and viscosity has advantages over free enzymes such as enzyme reduction costs and reuse. The objective was the hydrolysis optimization of cagaita pulp with encapsulated pectinase, evaluation of reuse in cycles and application in microfiltration (MF). The free commercial enzymes and encapsulated activity in calcium alginate in pulp was evaluated, viscosity and turbidity reduction. The optimum hydrolysis with encapsulated enzymes conditions were temperature (30 °C), without stirring, enzymatic concentration (570 μL/L), considering clarity increment and viscosity reduction. After 8 cycles, encapsulated enzymes maintained 30% of its activity in reducing viscosity and reuse possibility. Microfiltration flow rate of hydrolyzed pulp with encapsulated enzymes was 13.4% higher than the nonhydrolyzed, indicating that enzymatic hydrolysis was efficient in time reduction. Encapsulated enzymes can be applied in juices and pulps as a pre-process for increasing the permeate flows, reducing operational and input costs.

Postprandial glucose-lowering effect of cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica DC) fruit juice in dysglycemic subjects with metabolic syndrome: An exploratory study

Cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica DC) is an ellagitannin-containing Myrtaceae fruit from Cerrado biome. This fruit seems to be a promising candidate for an adjuvant in glucose regulation in healthy subjects. However, it is not known whether cagaita juice would have the same effect on dysglycemic subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Therefore, the present work aimed to evaluate the effect of cagaita fruit juice on postprandial glycemia in dysglycemic subjects with MetS, and whether cagaita ellagitannins could be metabolized to urolithins. To evaluate glycemic effects, two different meals were consumed by volunteers (n = 12) with a 1-week interval among them. The first one consisted of white bread (50 g) plus water (300 mL) as a control; the second one, white bread (50 g) plus clarified cagaita juice (300 mL). Bioavailability was assessed in 24 h urine, after the consumption of a single amount of 300 mL of cagaita juice by healthy (n = 16) and MetS subjects (n = 7). The results showed that dysglycemic subjects with MetS presented a 53% reduction of incremental area under the curve (iAUC) of glucose, 38% reduction of insulin, 78% reduction of GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide), and 58% reduction of C-peptide (p < 0.05), after the consumption of cagaita juice along with bread, in comparison to control water. However, both GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and glucagon were not affected by cagaita juice ingestion. Concerning bioavailability, it was observed, for the first time, the metabolization of cagaita ellagitannins to urolithins by healthy and dysglycemic individuals with MetS, with a prevalence of metabotype B in both groups (44% and 42%, respectively), followed by metabotype A (37% and 29%, respectively), and metabotype 0 (19% and 29%, respectively).

Caracterização de compostos voláteis e compostos bioativos da polpa e geleia de cagaita por microextração em fase sólida no modo headspace e espectrometria de massa por paper spray

A cagaiteira (Eugenia dysenterica) pertencente à família Myrtaceae, é uma árvore nativa do Cerrado brasileiro, o seu fruto é muito frágil, apresentando casca fina e polpa suculenta, é consumido na forma processada como geleia para prolongar a vida útil. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo elaborar geleia de cagaita e avaliar a alteração de compostos bioativos e compostos voláteis em relação à polpa in natura. A análise de espectrometria de massa por paper spray nos modos positivos e negativos permitiu a identificação de 27 compostos, dentre elas, ácidos orgânicos, açúcares, antocianinas, ácidos hidroxicinâmicos, ácidos hidroxibenzóicos e flavonoides, indicando que a produção de geleia pode ser uma técnica para conservação de compostos fenólicos com suas respectivas qualidades sensoriais como cor e sabor. Na análise de voláteis por microextração em fase sólida no modo headspace, foram detectados no total de 33 compostos, principalmente das classes de monoterpenos, de sesquiterpenos e de ésteresindicando que a produção da geleia pode conservar o aroma característico do fruto. Na caracterização dos compostos voláteis da polpa de cagaita, o 3-careno foi o monoterpeno majoritário encontrado. Enquanto no processamento da geleia houve produção do furaldeído, produto obtido como consequência natural do aquecimento.

Micronutrient deficiency affects the development of the seedlings of the cagaita, a Myrtaceae typical of the Brazilian Cerrado

Cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica DC.) plants are highly dependent on the micronutrient iron during their early development stages. Given this, we tested the hypothesis that initial seedling development is affected by a lack of specific micronutrients. We planted seedlings of this species in standard hydroponic solution, and in individual treatments, in which B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn or Mo were omitted. The development of symptoms of micronutrient deficiency in response to the different treatment solutions was monitored visually for 120 days after transplantation, and growth parameters and the content of different nutrients in the plant tissue were determined. The deficiency of the micronutrient Mo was the treatment with the greatest effect on seedling growth. The most commonly observed symptoms of nutrient deficiency were chlorosis and necrosis (Cu and Zn deprivation) and impaired root hair development (Fe and Cu deprivation). Overall, Fe was the micronutrient that accumulated most in the stems and roots of the seedlings exposed to the standard nutrient solution, which confirms the importance of the availability of this nutrient in the initial stages of seedling development for the production of healthy cagaita plants, with greater viability.

Ethanolic Extract of Dried Leaves from the Cerrado Biome Increases the Cryotolerance of Bovine Embryos Produced In Vitro.

In vitro embryo production (IVP) induces excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which affects blastocyst quality. Therefore, the supplementation of culture media with antioxidants is an alternative to overcome oxidative stress damage. However, there is a growing demand for the use of antioxidant compounds that are more natural and less toxic in cell cultures. The present study is aimed at evaluating the effect of ethanolic extracts from cerrado leaves on IVP. First, the antioxidant capacity and the amount of phenolic compounds of the leaves were evaluated. Then, the best ethanolic extract concentration composed of cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica) and murici (Byrsonima crassifolia) to be used during the in vitro culture of in vitro-produced embryos was determined. Afterward, we evaluated the influence of the extract of both plants on ROS and glutathione (GSH) production, while also evaluating the apoptosis and ROS metabolism gene expression. In a subsequent step, the effect of the ethanolic extracts of dried cagaita and murici leaves during embryonic cultivation on the cryotolerance of expanded blastocysts was studied. The results showed a significant reduction in the proportion of apoptotic cells from embryos cultivated with 0.01 mg/mL of the cagaita ethanolic extract, besides inducing an increase in the GPX4 and PRDX3 transcription levels. The murici ethanolic extract induced an increase in the transcription abundance of these genes but did not reduce the proportion of apoptotic cells. In addition, expanded blastocysts cultivated with extracts at a concentration of 0.01 mg/mL and cryopreserved had higher hatching rates and lower degeneration rates when compared to the frozen group previously supplemented with the extracts. Moreover, the apoptosis rate of embryos cultured for 12 h after cryopreservation was lower in groups previously exposed to extracts during in vitro cultivation. Such extracts may be used as alternatives to increase the cryotolerance of in vitro-produced embryos.

Landscape and Climate Influence the Patterns of Genetic Diversity and Inbreeding in Cerrado Plant Species

The anthropization of the landscape of the Cerrado biome that has occurred over the past few decades has fragmented its natural environments, impacting the connectivity of the plant populations and altering their gene flow. Plant species may also reduce population size in response to sub-optimal climatic and environmental conditions, and observed distribution patterns may align with theoretical schemes, such as the center–periphery model, that is, it is possible that populations on the edge have lower genetic diversity than center populations, theoretically submitted to environmental conditions closer to the optimum. In this context, we evaluate whether the genetic diversity and inbreeding coefficients of Cerrado plant species are affected by landscape features and climate characteristics, and in particular, if the distribution of the genetic diversity of these plants is consistent with the center–periphery model. To do this, we conducted a literature search for genetic studies of Cerrado plant populations using Scopus, Web of Science, and Scielo databases and the species found were used as a proxy to explore patterns throughout the biome. The data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) and multiple matrix regressions (MMRRs) to evaluate the effects of landscape features and climatic variables on the observed (HO) and expected heterozygosity (HE), allelic richness (AR) and inbreeding (Fis) patterns of the local populations. The landscape was evaluated in terms of the percentage land cover of agriculture (AG), forestry (FO), remnant vegetation (RV), urban areas (UA), pasture (PA), and water (WA) within buffers of 1 km, 3 km, and 5 km around the study populations. We analyzed 121 populations of 31 plant species. The GLMMs showed that HO was affected by FO regardless of buffer size, while HE was also affected by FO, but also by WA and UA. AR was affected by WA and UA in all three buffer zones while the Fis was affected by FO and AU. The MMRRs showed that WA may affect HO, HE, and Fis within the 1 km buffer, while FO affects HO and UA affects AR within the 5 km buffer. In the case of the 1 km and 3 km buffers, however, the geographic distance between populations was identified as a factor determining the genetic diversity and inbreeding indices, indicating that isolation by distance may be an important factor defining the breeding patterns of the Cerrado plant populations. The GLMMs and MMRRs also showed that the mean annual temperature (MAT) and, to a lesser extent, isothermality (ISO) can explain the variation in genetic diversity observed in the Cerrado plant populations. We also found that the center–periphery model fits the distribution pattern observed in most of the species evaluated, including Annona crassiflora,Annona coriacea, Copaifera langsdorffii, and Eugenia dysenterica. Our results indicate that changes in the climate and the landscape of Brazilian Cerrado must be considered carefully to guarantee minimizing the impacts of these processes on the genetic diversity of Cerrado plant species and ensuring the long-term conservation of these species in this biome.

Vigor and Viability of Cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica DC.) Seeds Subjected to Different Substrates

Cagaita originates from the Brazilian Cerrado and belongs to the Myrtaceae family. It is a fruit tree and widely disseminated in the Brazilian Cerrado, and can reach up to 10 meters high. To obtain quality seedlings it is necessary to use substrates that have physical and chemical properties suitable for plant development. Also, the quality of the substrate is directly related to the proportions and the material that makes up the mixture. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Federal Institute of Education (IFTO), Science and Technology of Tocantins, Gurupi/TO city, from November 1, 2017, to February 26, 2018. Cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica DC.) seeds taken directly from the fruit were used to perform the experiment, which was collected in the urban region of Peixe - To in October 2017. Six types of substrates were used for the installation of the experiment, which was: Washed Sand; Washed Sand + Coconut Shell + Black Soil + Poultry Manure; Black Soil; Pine Bark + Poultry Manure + 25% Commercial Substrate Plantmax®; Earthworm Humus + Black Soil + 25% Commercial Substrate Plantmax®; 25% Commercial Substrate Plantmax® + Poultry Manure + Black soil + washed sand. The substrates of earthworm humus + Black Soil + 25% commercial substrate Plantmax® and 25% Commercial Substrate Plantmax® + Poultry Manure + Black Soil + Washed Sand provided the highest values of viability and vigor in Cagaita seeds.