Acerola Research Articles

Dehydration of acerola (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) residue in a new designed rotary dryer: Effect of process variables on main bioactive compounds

Residues of acerola generated as byproduct of fruit processing industry have been studied in this work, due to its potential use as food supplementation. To ensure proper processing, a detailed characterization of the acerola residues has been performed. The dehydration of these residues in a new dryer, named as roto-aerated dryer, has been investigated in this work. The effect of a pre-treatment with ethanol prior to the air-drying has also been analyzed. The performance of this new dryer and the effect of processing variables have been investigated considering the drying responses, as well as the quality of product. The product quality has been quantified considering the content of bioactive compounds (total phenolic content, citric acid content and total flavonoid compound). The results shown that the new dryer proved to be a good alternative for drying of acerola residue, due to the high drying rate and the good quality of the product after drying..

Metanolic extract of Malpighia emarginata bagasse: phenolic compounds and inhibitory potential on digestive enzymes

Adding value to fruit residues is of great interest, since they can be presented as a viable solution in search of new drugs for the treatment of obesity and related diseases, due to bioactive substances, especially phenolic compounds. Thus, the objective of this study was to prepare the methanol extract of acerola bagasse flour, in order to evaluate its potential as a source of inhibitors of the enzymes α-amylase, α-glucosidase, lipase and trypsin, and determine the content of phenolic compounds by high performance liquid chromatography. Enzymatic inhibition assays were conducted in the presence or absence of simulated gastric fluid. In the methanol extract of acerola bagasse flour, the following phenolic compounds were identified: gallic acid, syringic and p-coumaric acid, catechin, epigallocatechin gallate, epicatechin and quercetin; epicatechin was the major compound. In the absence of gastric fluid, simulated enzymes had a variable inhibition of the acerola bagasse flour extract, except for lipase, which was not inhibited. In the presence of simulated gastric fluid, there was an inhibition of 170.08IEU (Inhibited Enzyme Unit in μmolmin−1g−1) for α-amylase and 69.29IEU for α-glucosidase, indicating that this extract shows potential as an adjuvant in the treatment of obesity and other dyslipidemia.

Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) juice intake protects against oxidative damage in mice fed by cafeteria diet

The consumption of a palatable cafeteria diet and low consumption of fruits and vegetables are linked to overweight and obesity. In addition, these pathological conditions are associated with elevated markers of oxidative stress. Acerola fruit contains high levels of vitamin C and rutin and exhibits corresponding antioxidant properties. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant effects of acerola juice in different stages of maturity (unripe, ripe, and industrial) and its main pharmacologically active components vitamin C and rutin, when given as food supplements to cafeteria diet-fed mice. Swiss male mice were fed a standard (STA) or a cafeteria (CAF) diet for 13weeks. The latter consisted of a variety of supermarket products with high energy content. This CAF diet increased protein and lipid oxidative damage in the cortex, hippocampus, liver, kidney, and heart of CAF animals. Subsequently, CAF mice were given additional diet supplements (acerola juices, vitamin C, or rutin) for one month and the effects on the cortex, hippocampus, liver, kidney, and heart were examined. The results indicated that food supplementation with unripe acerola juice led to a decrease of the diet-induced lipid and protein oxidative damage in the hippocampus, liver, kidney, and heart. For ripe acerola juice, antioxidant beneficial effects were observed in the hippocampus. Industrial acerola juice was effective in the liver. Food supplementation with vitamin C led to decreased oxidative damage in the cortex and liver, whereas rutin supplementation led to decreased oxidative damage in hippocampus and heart samples. These findings suggest that acerola juice helps reduce oxidative stress present under obesogenic conditions.

Anastrepha aczeli Blanchard and Anastrepha similis Greene (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Minas Gerais, Brazil

The occurrence of Anastrepha aczeli Blanchard and Anastrepha similis Greene (Diptera: Tephritidae) is recorded in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Specimens of A. aczeli were found in traps placed in orchards of acerola, Malpighia emarginata DC (Malpighiaceae), and citrus, Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck (Rutaceae), and A. similis was obtained in traps placed in citrus orchards located in the county of Bambuí, MG, Brazil.

Detecção de Meloidogyne enterolobii em mudas de amoreira (Morus nigra L.)

O comércio de mudas sem certificação contribui para disseminação de pragas e doenças, que podem causar sérios danos às plantas cultivadas. Na região de Itapetininga (SP), foram apreendidas, pela equipe da Defesa Agropecuária, mudas de aceroleira, goiabeira e amoreira, comercializadas em caminhões, que apresentavam galhas nas raízes, sintoma típico causado por Meloidogyne spp. A identificação da espécie foi feita através da morfologia da configuração perineal de fêmeas e região labial de machos, bem como através da caracterização do fenótipo enzimático de esterase. Foi constatada a presença de M. enterolobii nas amostras analisadas. Trata-se do primeiro relato do parasitismo de M. enterolobii em mudas de amoreira no mundo.

Comparison of mineral and trace element contents between organically and conventionally grown fruit

Introduction. Many consumers buy organic foods because of their alleged greater nutritional benefits. However, studies investigating the effect of the agricultural farming system on minerals and toxic elements content are scarce. This study compared the content of minerals (P, Ca, Mg, Na and K) and trace elements (Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr, Se, Zn, Mo, Ni, Cd and Al) of four organically and conventionally grown fruits in Brazil. Materials and methods. Mango (Mangifera indica L., var. Palmer), persimmon (Diospyros kaki L., var. Rama Forte), acerola (Malpighia punicifolia L., var. Olivier) and strawberry (Fragaria vesca L., var. Oso Grande) were produced by organic and conventional farming in the same geographic region, under the same climatic conditions and same type of soil. Mineral analysis was performed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Results and discussion. Organic mango contained higher amounts of Mg and K, and Cr content was higher in conventionally grown mangos. Organic persimmon contained higher amounts of Cu and Zn, and Mg, P, Na, and K concentration was higher in conventional persimmon. Conventionally grown acerola contained higher amounts of Ca, Fe, Mn, Mo, Al, and Ni than the organic acerola. The concentrations of Mo and Al were higher in organic strawberry when compared to conventional strawberry. Conclusion. Organic farming did not result in a clear superiority of the mineral quality of fruit nor did it provide fruit free of toxic elements.

First Report of Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum theobromicola on Barbados Cherry (Malpighia emarginata) in Brazil.

Barbados cherry, also called acerola, is a fruit originated from tropical America that is well-known for its high content of vitamin C and nutritional value. Anthracnose is one of the most common diseases on Barbados cherry. In Brazil, this disease is associated with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides sensu lato (2). In 2012, necrotic and sunken spots were observed on Barbados cherry fruit (cv. Rubra) in Sao Paulo State, Brazil, from which a Colletotrichum species was isolated on potato dextrose agar (PDA). The isolate was grown on PDA at 25°C and 12-h photoperiod under fluorescent light. The colony was gray on the upper surface and the reverse part was dark gray. Conidia (n = 50) were cylindrical to subcylindrical, hyaline, and 12 to 15 (avg. 12.7) × 3.8 to 5.9 (avg. 4.3) μm. Conidia length/width ratio was 2 to 3.6. Pathogenicity was confirmed on Barbados cherry fruit. Inoculation was carried out by depositing 40-μl droplets of a conidial suspension (1 × 105 conidia ml-1) on fruit wounded with a sterilized needle and on non-wounded fruit. Fruit were incubated in a moist chamber at 25°C. First symptoms appeared 3 and 5 days after inoculation on wounded and non-wounded fruit, respectively. No symptoms were observed on control fruit inoculated with water. Six isolates recovered from inoculated fruit showed the same morphological characteristics of the previous isolate. The DNA of the fungus was extracted by a CTAB protocol (1) and the sequences of ITS, GAPDH, ACT, CHS-1, TUB, and CAL genes (4) were generated. Sequences were used in BLAST searches in GenBank and were 100% similar to C. theobromicola, except for GAPDH. The ITS (KC566724) and CAL (KC566437) sequences matched strain ICMP 17099 (JX010285 and JX009588, respectively) with 100% identity. The BTUB (KC566148), GAPDH (KC566578), ACT (KC566870), and CHS-1(KC566292) sequences matched with the strains ICMP 18649 (JX010447, 100% identity), ICMP 17099 (JX009957, 99% identity, 1 pb), ICMP 18567 (JX009457, 100% identity), and ICMP 18613 (JX009771, 100% identity), respectively. The sequences were also compared with authentic culture of C. gloeosporioides (IMI 356878) and the identities were: ITS 99% (JX010148), CAL 91% (JX009729), BTUB 90% (JX010445), GAPDH 83% (GU174561), ACT 93% (JX009494), and CHS-1 98% (JX009747). Based on the multi-gene sequencing, the isolate was identified as C. theobromicola. C. theobromicola was described in 2010 (3) and it is considered as a widely distributed species occurring on different hosts in tropical and subtropical regions (4). This report shows the necessity of the identification of Colletotrichum species from tropical fruits to elucidate the etiology of anthracnose diseases of which C. gloeosporioides sensu lato is considered to be the causal agent. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. theobromicola on Barbados cherry.

Production and spouted bed drying of acerola juice containing oligosaccharides

In the present study, acerola (Malpighiae marginata) juice was used as substrate for oligosaccharides synthesis by the dextransucrase acceptor reaction. Due to the low sugar content of acerola, external sugars (sucrose, glucose and fructose) were added to the juice and the oligosaccharides synthesis was carried out using a central composite rotated design. High oligosaccharide and low dextran yields were obtained indicating that the acceptor reaction had occurred. The sugar conversion into oligosaccharides was also high (>60%) and oligosaccharides with a degree of polymerization up to 12 were obtained. The prebiotic juice was dried in a spouted bed using maltodextrin as carrier. The powder dried at 60°C showed low hygroscopicity (7.90%), low moisture (1.91%) and low water activity (0.18).

ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF TROPICAL FRUITS AS RELATED TO THEIR POLYPHENOL, VITAMIN C AND CAROTENOID CONTENTS: A REVIEW

Today?s consumers are more and more concerned with foods containing components that are providing health benefit, such as polyphenols, vitamins and carotenoids. The contribution of these components to health benefit in plant-derived food has often been related to their antioxidant properties. Most studies on these components in fruits have been carried out in temperate countries. Less is known about them in fruits from tropical areas, whereas the international trading of tropical fruits is developing. This paper summarizes knowledge on polyphenols, vitamin C and carotenoids in tropical fruits in relation to their measured antioxidant activity. Data on the composition of these fruits in vitamins have been recently published. Less information is available on their total phenolic content and their phenolic composition. A statistical analysis including data on various tropical fruits has shown that the correlation coefficient between antioxidant activity and total phenolic content was 0.96. The corresponding coefficient for ascorbic acid amounted 0.23 to 0.35, depending on the method used to measure the antioxidant activity. It is noticeable that in acerola (Malpighia emarginata) and guava (Psidium guajava), which exhibit the highest antioxidant activity, this activity is highly linked to both total phenolic and ascorbic acid contents. Antioxidant activity was shown to be negatively correlated to carotenoid content in guava. However, it is generally not clear which compounds are responsible for the antioxidant properties of tropical fruits, as they have rarely been simultaneously analyzed for their composition in all these components and their antioxidant activity. Moreover, total phenolic, ascorbic acid and carotenoid contents may be highly influenced by cultivars, as suggested in mango and guava pulp. The effects of the development and maturation stages and of postharvest storage conditions on these components and on antioxidant activity in tropical fruits still need to be investigated. (Resume d'auteur)

Electroanalysis for Quality Control of Acerola (Malpighia emarginata) Fruits and their Commercial Products

The use of natural antioxidants is widespread around the world since they may delay oxidative stress and, consequently, degenerative diseases. Among the prescribed healthy habits for humans is the consumption of fruits containing high levels of phenolic compounds and other radical scavengers. Acerola (Malpighia emarginata) is very appreciated for its high content of ascorbic acid (AA) and rutin, two remarkable natural antioxidants (NA). Industrialized as frozen pulp and processed as juice, it is also a good source of carotenoids and anthocyanins. Nevertheless, its commercialization is hindered by its low stability. Considering the great potential of acerola frozen and dried products as rich sources of NA, the development of analytical methods focusing on the determination of active components is imperative for their quality control. Therefore, the aim of this work was to apply differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) for quality control of different products made of acerola fruits. Quality control samples consisted of acerola products spiked with AA, which was the biomarker, compared with its contents in samples analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection (HPLC-PDA). DPV was employed for quantification of AA in all samples. The achieved limits of detection and quantification were 0.31 and 0.96 mM, respectively, whereas the recovery range was from 97.4 to 102.2 %; the results presented good accuracy and correlation with HPLC-PDA method. In addition to its use in identification, DPV proved to be helpful to check the integrity of natural products and avoid adulteration. Moreover, the electrochemical index proposed is in accordance with traditional methods for estimating antioxidant capacity.

Desempenho produtivo de ovinos em pastejo suplementados com concentrados contendo coprodutos da fruticultura

The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performance of sheep kept in irrigated Tifton 85 pastures receiving concentrate supplementation containing different fruits processing by-products. The pasture area corresponded to 0.58 ha, divided in 24 paddocks, under rotational grazing with 20 days of interval of grazing and four days of grazing. 24 male sheep, castrated with 26.9±2.4 of initial body weight and ten months like testers animals, were used. Three fruit processing by-products (guava, barbados cherry and grape wine industry) including in 30% of dry matter basis in supplements, besides the treatment “control” containing traditional ingredients (dry ground corn, soybean meal and wheat bran), were compared. The experimental design was a completely randomized with six replicates by treatments. The concentrates evaluated containing fruit processing by-products did not affect the daily weight gain, the total weight gain and the final body weight of sheep kept in irrigated pastures. The stoking rate of pastures, an average was 90.96 lambs/ha and estimative of meat production by area of 2,756.50 kg/ha/year. Thus, guava, barbados cherry and grape wine industry by-products may substitute 30% of dry matter the traditional ingredients in concentrate without harming the productive performance of animals and area.

Promising results of cranberry in the prevention of oralCandidabiofilms

In the context of dental caries prevention by natural foodstuff sources, antifungal and antibiofilm activities of dry commercial extracts of cranberry fruit (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) and two other red fruits (Vaccinium myrtillus L. and Malpighia punicifolia L.) were assessed on Candida albicans and Candida glabrata yeasts. When added to the culture medium, the cranberry extract displayed a significant anti-adhesion activity against Candida spp. when used at low concentrations. In addition, the pretreatment of surfaces with this extract induced an anti-adhesion activity mainly against C. glabrata yeasts and an antibiofilm activity against C. albicans. This activity was dependent on concentration, species, and strain. A phytochemical investigation bioguided by anti-adhesion tests against the two Candida species was carried out on crude cranberry juice to determine the active fractions. Three subfractions enriched in proanthocyanidins showed an anti-adhesion activity at low concentrations. This study investigated for the first time the interest of crude extracts of cranberry and cranberry juice fractions to prevent biofilms of C. glabrata. It highlighted the potency of consuming this fruit and using it as a source of anti-adhesion agents.

Antioxidant activity of co-products from guava, mango and barbados cherry produced in the Brazilian northeast.

Co-products from the juice processing of guava (CG), mango (CM) and barbados cherry (CB) were investigated with a view to their exploitation as a potential source of natural antioxidants. The ethanolic extracts were analyzed for total extractable phenolic content (TEP), DPPH radical scavenging activity (RSA-DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and antioxidant activity in relation to the β-carotene/linoleic acid system. The TEP levels in the CG, CM and CB extracts were (24.15 ± 1.59), (44.18 ± 1.73) and (49.21 ± 3.70) mg GAE/g extract, respectively. The CM extract showed higher DPPH, FRAP and antioxidant activity in the β-carotene/linoleic acid system. The data revealed a positive linear correlation between TEP, RSA-DPPH and FRAP (r2 = 0.85 − 0.98); however, the β-carotene/linoleic acid system (r2 = 0.01 − 0.26) shows low correlation with the TEP levels and other assessment systems. The results suggest that co-products generated from the juice processing of the studied fruit have promising use as a natural source of antioxidants.

Reação de aceroleira (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) à Meloidogyne enterolobii

O Brasil é o maior produtor, consumidor e exportador de acerola (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) do mundo. Por conter altos teores de vitamina C, tornou-se uma fruta altamente requisitada no mercado mundial para o preparo de sucos e no consumo in natura. Nos últimos anos, as lavouras desta fruta vêm apresentando um decréscimo nas produções em razäo da ocorrência de nematoides de galhas (Meloidogyne spp.), um dos principais problemas que afetam a cultura. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a resistência de genótipos de aceroleira frente à Meloidogyne enterolobii. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação do Departamento de Proteção Vegetal, da Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas/UNESP - Câmpus de Botucatu (SP). Foram utilizados cinco clones: Cereja-Brs-236; Fruta Cor- Brs-238; Roxinha-Brs-237; Mirandópolis; Japi, e três variedades: Okinawa; Olivier e Waldy-CATI. Cada planta foi inoculada com 2.500 ovos e eventuais juvenis de segundo estádio (Pi) de M. enterolobii. Após 60 dias, a parte área de cada planta foi descartada, e o sistema radicular lavado, submetido à coloração com floxina-B e examinado para a obtenção dos índices de galhas (IG) e massa de ovos (IMO), e processados pelo método de trituração em liquidificador, peneiramento e centrifugação com sacarose para a obtenção do número total de ovos (Pf), que foi utilizado para o cálculo do fator de reprodução (Pf/Pi). Todos os clones e as variedades foram considerados suscetíveis à Meloidogyne enterolobii apresentando os fatores de reprodução variando de 4,1 a 18,3.

Three New Tetranorditerpenes from Aerial Parts of Acerola Cherry (Malpighia emarginata)

Acerola cherry is a world famous fruit which contains abundant antioxidants such as vitamin C, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and phenolics. However, studies concerning bioactivity components from aerial parts of acerola (Malpighia emarginata) are scarce. In view of this, we have examined the constituents of aerial parts of acerola, and three new tetranorditerpenes acerolanins A–C (1–3) with a rare 2H-benz[e]inden-2-one substructure were isolated. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectral studies and acerolanin C was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Furthermore, three new compounds have been studied for their cytotoxic activity.

Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) juice intake protects against alterations to proteins involved in inflammatory and lipolysis pathways in the adipose tissue of obese mice fed a cafeteria diet

BackgroundObesity has been studied as a metabolic and an inflammatory disease and is characterized by increases in the production of pro-inflammatory adipokines in the adipose tissue.To elucidate the effects of natural dietary components on the inflammatory and metabolic consequences of obesity, we examined the effects of unripe, ripe and industrial acerola juice (Malpighia emarginata DC.) on the relevant inflammatory and lipolysis proteins in the adipose tissue of mice with cafeteria diet-induced obesity.Materials/methodsTwo groups of male Swiss mice were fed on a standard diet (STA) or a cafeteria diet (CAF) for 13 weeks. Afterwards, the CAF-fed animals were divided into five subgroups, each of which received a different supplement for one further month (water, unripe acerola juice, ripe acerola juice, industrial acerola juice, or vitamin C) by gavage. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, Western blotting, a colorimetric method and histology were utilized to assess the observed data.ResultsThe CAF water (control obese) group showed a significant increase in their adiposity indices and triacylglycerol levels, in addition to a reduced IL-10/TNF-α ratio in the adipose tissue, compared with the control lean group. In contrast, acerola juice and Vitamin C intake ameliorated the weight gain, reducing the TAG levels and increasing the IL-10/TNF-α ratio in adipose tissue. In addition, acerola juice intake led to reductions both in the level of phosphorylated JNK and to increases in the phosphorylation of IκBα and HSLser660 in adipose tissue.ConclusionsTaken together, these results suggest that acerola juice reduces low-grade inflammation and ameliorates obesity-associated defects in the lipolytic processes.

Radioprotective effect of the Barbados Cherry (Malpighia glabra L.) against radiopharmaceutical Iodine-131 in Wistar rats in vivo

BackgroundThe increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables has contributed to the improvement of populational health, due in part, to the abundance of antioxidants in these foods. Antioxidants reduce the level of oxidative damage to DNA caused by free radicals and ionizing radiation, including the radioisotope iodine-131 (131I). This isotope is used for the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid injuries, such as hyperthyroidism and cancer.MethodsThis study aimed to evaluate the radioprotective and cytotoxic activity of acute and subchronic treatments with Barbados Cherry (BC) (Malpighia glabra L.) fruit juice (5 mg), which is rich in potent antioxidants such as vitamin C, phenols, carotenoids, anthocyanins and yellow flavonoids and its activity against the mutagenic activity of the therapeutic dose of 25 μCi of radioiodine for hyperthyroidism. The test system used was the bone marrow cells of Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) that were treated in vivo by gavage.ResultsBC showed radioprotective activity in acute treatments, which is most likely due to the joint action of its antioxidant components. In subchronic treatments, the continuous treatment presented an effective radioprotective activity, which was significantly different from treatment with the radiopharmaceutical only. Treatment with BC prior to (PRE) and simultaneous with (SIM) ionizing radiation decreased the number of induced chromosomal alterations, while post-treatment produced no protective effect. In addition, BC exhibited no cytotoxic activity.ConclusionsThese data serve as evidence that BC can be used as a preventive health measure to improve public health quality by countering the action of inevitable exposure to mutagens, such as 131I.

Production, characterization of tannase from Penicillium montanense URM 6286 under SSF using agroindustrial wastes, and application in the clarification of grape juice (Vitis vinifera L.).

Tannase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes esters and lateral bonds of tannins, such as tannic acid, releasing glucose and gallic acid and stands out in the clarification of wines and juices. Fungi of the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium are excellent producers of this enzyme. The search for fungi that produce high levels of tannase as well as new substrates for the enzyme production by the SSF is required. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the production of tannase by Aspergillus and Penicillium species through SSF using leaves and agroindustrial waste barbados cherry and mangaba fruit as substrate, select the best producer, optimize production, characterize the crude enzyme extract, and apply it the clarification of grape juice. Selecting the best producer was performed by planning Placket-Burman and RSM. P. montanense showed highest activity with 41.64 U/mL after 72 h of fermentation residue using barbados cherry, with 3.5% tannic acid and 70% moisture. The enzyme showed the highest activity at pH 9.0 and 50°C. The tannase of P. montanense was stable over a wide pH range and temperature and, when applied to grape juice, showed higher efficiency by reducing 46% of the tannin content after incubation 120 m.

Fungo micorrízico arbuscular e extrato de algas no crescimento inicial de porta-enxerto de aceroleira

The use of natural bio-stimulant in the early development of rootstock acerola, along with the use of mycorrhizal association, represents an alternative to supplement the nutritional demands of plants and consequently stimulates the growth of seedlings. Marine algae have been recognized as excellent natural fertilizer and bio-stimulants for plants. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can be used as natural biofertilizers on seedling production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the initial growth and the doses of seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) in the production of rootstocks Malpighia emarginata inoculated with the fungus Glomus fasciculatum. The experiment was distributed in a completely randomized design in corresponding to two treatments involving arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (0.0 and 1.0 g of inoculum per 10 g seed) and four treatments factorial (2 × 4) extract applications involving seaweed (doses 2, 4 and 6 mL L-1) and control (no application), with five replications. Data were subjected to normality test and, when presented normal, there was analysis of variance and comparisons of means and polynomial regression. The use of seaweed at a dose of 6.0 mL L-1 of the extract, together with the association of mycorrhizal fungus Glomus fasciculatum, can provide increased productivity in the nursery and shorter production rootstock acerola

Effect of the pretreatment with acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) juice on ethanol-induced oxidative stress in mice – Hepatoprotective potential of acerola juice

Abstract Aim and Background Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) is a tropical fruit known for its nutritional and functional properties due to its great contents vitamin C, carotenoids and anthocyanins. The antioxidant potential from plants extracts associated to hepatoprotective activity has been widely studied. However, the effect of antioxidants in natural fruit juice has not been fully searched. The aim of this work was to investigate the antioxidant properties of acerola juice and its hepatoprotective potential against acute ethanol-induced stress. Materials and methods Ripe acerola were collected, processed into juice and initially analyzed to antioxidant properties in vitro. Afterwards, in vivo hepatoprotective activity was evaluated in mice. The animals received the juice by gavage as pretreatment for 15 consecutive days and then, were submitted to ethanol-induced stress in single dose (5 g/kg). The activities of serum enzymes as well as lipid peroxidation degree were evaluated. The activities of serum marker enzymes for liver damage as well as lipid peroxidation degree were evaluated. Results Acerola juice presents great vitamin C (1799.5 mg/100 g FW) and total phenolic (188.4 mg GAE/100 g FW), anthocyanins (9.2 mg/100 g FW), flavonols (7.8 mg/100 g FW) contents and high activity of superoxide dismutase (1053.6 UA/g DM) with a total antioxidant activity of 137.5 μmol Trolox/g FW. The juice treatment inhibited lipid peroxidation and reduced the activities of aminotransferases (p ≤0.05), in mice liver. Conclusion These results indicate that acerola juice is able to prevent the hepatic damage induced by ethanol, probably as a result of an enhancement of the antioxidant status in the animals.