Passiflora Cincinnata Research Articles

Photoprotective Potential of Passiflora Cincinnata Mast. (Passifloraceae) Hydro-Alcoholic Extracts.

Passiflora cincinnata is a Passifloraceae typical of the Caatinga, a biome unique to Brazil. It has various pharmacological properties associated with its high flavonoid content. Vitexin, isovitexin, orientin, isoorientin and derivatives are the main chemical and pharmacological markers for this plant. Although flavonoids enriched-extracts have been widely applied in phytocosmetics, especially in sunscreen formulations, the use of P. cincinnata as a photoprotective ingredient remains unexplored. Different hydro-alcoholic extracts were prepared and their antioxidant and photoprotective activities were evaluated by in vitro assays. The most promising extract (Pc-1) was analyzed by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS. Nine flavonoids were identified as major compounds: isovitexin-7-O-glucoside, isoorientin-2"O-hexoside, orientin, isoorientin, isovitexin-2"-O-glucoside, isovitexin-6"-O-glucoside, isoscoparin and isoquercitrin. Finally, Pc-1 (5 and 10 %, v/v) was incorporated into gel formulations, alone or combined to commercial chemical filters (benzophenone-3 and octyl methoxycinnamate). Formulations containing Pc-1 showed high SPFspectrophotometric values. When combined to commercial filters, Pc-1 (5 %) potentiated their photoprotective efficacy (p<0.05). A physicochemical characterization indicated no incompatibility or signs of instability after extract incorporation. Altogether, these findings encourage the use of Pc-1 as a photoprotective ingredient or co-adjuvant in sunscreens formulations.

New insights into the oil from the seeds of Cerrado passion fruit (Passiflora cincinnata): physicochemical characterization and stability during storage

New insights into the oil from the seeds of Cerrado passion fruit (Passiflora cincinnata): physicochemical characterization and stability during storage

Water availability and accessions of Passiflora cincinnata Mast. can shape the communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Understanding how water availability affects different caatinga passionfruit accessions (Passiflora cincinnata Mast.) and their drought tolerance is crucial for successful cultivation in semi-arid environments. Additionally, assessing the impact of this stress on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) communities' structure and dynamics is also essential. A greenhouse experiment was conducted with the purpose of identifying tolerant and sensitive P. cincinnata accessions under drought stress and how the water availability would affect AMF communities, which were taxonomically identified based on morphological characters. Results show that water availability influenced height, stem diameter, total chlorophyll, dry and fresh shoot biomass, fresh root biomass, leaf area, number of leaves and tendrils, and root/shoot ratio of accessions of P. cincinnata. However, water availability did not influence root dry biomass, only the identity of P. cincinnata accessions differed from each other. In the PCA-based ranking, based on the morpho-descriptors traits, and on the indices of drought stress tolerance, accessions 01 and 48 were considered tolerant and sensitive to drought, respectively. The abundance of glomerospores and the AMF richness are not influenced by the factors studied, but water availability has increased the frequency of mycorrhizal colonization, diversity, and evenness of AMF species, in addition to reducing its dominance. AMF communities’ composition was modulated by P. cincinnata accessions and by water availability. Utilizing morpho-agronomic traits, it becomes feasible to differentiate P. cincinnata accessions exhibiting tolerance and sensitivity to drought stress. Particular emphasis is placed on fresh and dry shoot biomass, leaf area, and height, each contributing approximately 12% to these outcomes. Changes on the composition of AMF communities after imposition of water deficit suggest that some AMF species may show some drought tolerance and that preferences for P. cincinnata genotypes may exist.

Ecogeographical Characterization of Passiflora cincinnata Mast. and Passiflora setacea DC. Native to the Central-Southern Mesoregion of Bahia

Passiflora cincinnata and Passiflora setacea are two native species from the northeastern semiarid region, with wide distribution in the central-southern mesoregion of the Bahia state. These species are recognized for the production of bioflavonoids. However, although they have economic relevance, little is known about ecogeographic, morphological and ecophysiological aspects. Therefore, the goal was to characterize the physiochemical and granulometric attributes of the soil as well as the edaphoclimatic conditions in 12 locations of naturally occurring Passiflora cincinnata and Passiflora setacea in the central-southern mesoregion of Bahia. The results showed environments belonging to the ecotones of the Cerrado, Caatinga and Mata Atlântica biomes. In these phytophysiognomies, the soils varied between cambisol, oxisol and planosol and presented a sandy texture and acidic pH. They also have varied ecogeographic characteristics with altitudes between 481 and 929 meters, precipitation between 478 and 1.644 millimeters and average temperature ranging between 15 and 31 degrees. Sites with average temperatures of up to 28 degrees, altitude between 670 and 860 meters, pH between 4.3 and 5.11, base saturation smaller than 50 and H+Al between 2-5 favor both species. Temperatures up to 31 degrees, pH between 5 and 6, base saturation bigger than 50 and H+Al smaller equal 1.5 favor P. cincinnata. Environments with temperatures of up to 27 degrees, altitudes above 900 meters, average pH of 4.5, average base saturation of 30 and average H+Al of 3, favors P. setacea. Keywords: environmental adaptation; ecogeography; genetic resources; wild passion fruit; sleep passion fruit.

Genetic diversity of Passiflora cincinnata in the Chapada do Araripe, Northeast Brazil

Passiflora cincinnata Mast. belongs to the Passifloraceae family and is a plant native to the Brazilian semi-arid region, popularly known as maracujá-do-mato. This species has food, pharmaceutical and ornamental potential. It is used as a source of genes of interest in yellow passion fruit breeding programs or as vigorous rootstocks in commercial plantations. Thus, morphologically characterizing native species and measuring genetic diversity between accessions are essential steps for the success of plant breeding in the world. This study aimed to characterize and estimate the genetic diversity between accessions of a natural population of Passiflora cincinnata in the Chapada Nacional do Araripe, Northeast Brazil, in order to provide subsidies for the creation of a passion fruit breeding program. Twenty-six passion fruit accessions were evaluated for 10 morphological characters: plant neck diameter, height of the first fork, leaf length, leaf width, diameter at breast height, flower diameter, petal length, stamen length, pistil length and fillet length. The accessions were georeferenced and characterized with the aid of a graduated tape measure and a digital caliper. Four replicates were measured for each characteristic in the P. cincinnata accessions evaluated. The results were submitted to analysis of variance using the F test (p&lt;0.05), estimation of genetic parameters, optimization grouping (Tocher) and the relative contribution of the characters to divergence. The results show that there is variability among the accessions of this natural population and that there is potential for them to be used as germplasm for passion fruit breeding programs.

Production, characterization and application of polygalacturonase produced by Lentinus tigrinus CCMB 553

Polygalacturonases can be used to improve the processing of fruit juices and wines. This study aimed to produce, characterize and evaluate the potential application of polygalacturonase obtained from Lentinus tigrinus CCMB 553 in mango juice clarification. The fungal was isolated from the northeastern semi-arid region and fermented using Passiflora cincinnata bark as a substrate for solid state fermentation. The optimal conditions for enzyme production were obtained by applying the three-level factorial experimental design and were defined as 9 days and 30 °C for time and temperature, respectively. The optimal pH and temperature were determined by applying the Doehlert design and the results showed higher production between 45 and 60 °C and 4.0 and 5.5 for temperature and pH respectively. Km and Vmax of polygalacturonase from Lentinus tigrinus were 2.7 mg/mL and 12.86 μmol/min. The enzyme maintained 40 % residual activity after 30 min at 80 C. The influence of cations on enzyme activity was studied, and calcium ions seem to have a positive influence on enzyme activity, while Fe2+ ions have a negative influence. K+, Na+ and NH4+ salts showed little influence on the polygalacturonase activity of Lentinus tigrinus. The application in the clarification of mango juice (Mangifera indica) using optimal conditions obtained resulted in a reduction of 45% of the viscosity and the clarification by about 79%. The results show that the polygalacturonase produced by Lentinus tigrinus CCMB 553 was efficiently applied in mango juice, improving the quality of the juice.

Postharvest Characterization of Passiflora cincinnata Fruit Pulp at Different Ripening Stages

Postharvest Characterization of Passiflora cincinnata Fruit Pulp at Different Ripening Stages

Effects of pulp and pectin concentrations of passion fruit from Caatinga (Passiflora cincinnata Mast.) on the production of symbiotic beverages

Developing symbiotic beverages is challenging due to the dependence of product viability on the composition of the culture medium, strain, and prebiotic type. This work aimed to evaluate the effects of pulp and pectin concentrations of passion fruit from Caatinga (Passiflora cincinnata Mast.) on the production of symbiotic beverages fermented by Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 7469. The beverages were prepared with different pulp concentrations (20, 35, and 50 % v/v) and pectin extracted from passion fruit peel (5, 12.5, and 20 g/L). Viability, pH, fructose, glucose, lactic acid, phenolic compounds, and total reduced sugar were determined after fermentation (24 h; 37 ºC) and 28 days of refrigerated storage at 4 ºC. In addition, viability was analyzed under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Fermentation of 20 % v/v pulp favored a higher growth of microorganisms (8.7 Log CFU/mL), due to lower concentration (13.7 mg GAE/100 g) of phenolic compounds (p ≤ 0,05). Probiotic survival, lactic acid concentration, and pH, during storage, were not influenced by either pectin or pulp concentrations. Regardless of the pectin concentration, there was no probiotic survival under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, when 50 % pulp was used. Pulp (35 % v/v) and pectin (12.5 g/L) concentrations showed higher survival rates under simulated gastrointestinal conditions (43.6 %; 3 log CFU/mL) (p ≤ 0,05).

Bioproducts from Passiflora cincinnata Seeds: The Brazilian Caatinga Passion Fruit

The present work aimed to obtain bioproducts from Passiflora cincinnata seeds, the Brazilian Caatinga passion fruit, as well as to determine their physical, chemical and biological properties. The seeds were pressed in a continuous press to obtain the oil, which showed an oxidative stability of 5.37 h and a fatty profile rich in linoleic acid. The defatted seeds were evaluated for the recovery of antioxidant compounds by a central rotation experimental design, varying temperature (32–74 °C), ethanol (13–97%) and solid–liquid ratio (1:10–1:60 m/v). The best operational condition (74 °C, 58% ethanol, 1:48) yielded an extract composed mainly of lignans, which showed antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The microencapsulation of linoleic acid-rich oil through spray drying has proven to be an effective method for protecting the oil. Furthermore, the addition of the antioxidant extract to the formulation increased the oxidative stability of the product to 30% (6.97 h), compared to microencapsulated oil without the addition of the antioxidant extract (5.27 h). The microparticles also exhibited favorable technological characteristics, such as low hygroscopicity and high water solubility. Thus, it was possible to obtain three bioproducts from the Brazilian Caatinga passion fruit seeds: the oil rich in linoleic acid (an essential fatty acid), antioxidant extract from the defatted seeds and the oil microparticles added from the antioxidant extract.

X-RAY AND IMAGE ANALYSES OF SEEDS OF Passiflora cincinnata AND Passiflora morifolia

Wild species of passion fruit present characteristics such as resistance to diseases and pests, longevity, and adaptability to adverse climatic conditions. Morphological analyses of seeds of wild species are frequently performed to investigate reproductive aspects of plants used in genetic improvement programs. The present study evaluated the quality of seeds of Passiflora cincinnata and Passiflora morifolia at different stages of fruit development, through X-ray and GroundEye® software image analyses. Four repetitions of 50 seeds and four stages of fruit maturation were used. X-ray-exposed seeds were classified as "full" or "empty". The computerized image analysis evaluated 10 descriptors related to color dominance and 7 descriptors related to geometry. A germination test was subsequently performed. In X-rayed samples, a higher percentage of empty seeds was detected in the green phase of maturation (6% for P. cincinnata and 11% for P. morifolia). GroundEye software® findings indicated that differences in coloration may indicate differences in the physiological quality of seeds. The collective results indicate that fruits of P. cincinnata and P. morifolia can be collected at the "on time", mature, and senescent maturation stages without compromising the physiological quality.

Salinity and Mulching Effects on Nutrition and Production of Grafted Sour Passion Fruit.

The Brazilian semiarid region stands out in terms of sour passion fruit production. Local climatic conditions (high air temperature and low rainfall), combined with its soil properties (rich in soluble salts), increase salinity effects on plants. This study was carried out in the experimental area "Macaquinhos" in Remígio-Paraíba (Brazil). The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of mulching on grafted sour passion fruit under irrigation with moderately saline water. The experiment was conducted in split-plots in a 2 × (2 × 2) factorial scheme to evaluate the effects of the combination of irrigation water salinity of 0.5 dS m-1 (control) and 4.5 dS m-1 (main plot), passion fruit propagated by seed and grafted onto Passiflora cincinnata, with and without mulching (subplots), with four replicates and three plants per plot. The foliar Na concentration in grafted plants was 90.9% less than that of plants propagated via seeds; however, it did not affect fruit production. Plastic mulching, by reducing the absorption of toxic salts and promoting greater absorption of nutrients, contributed to greater production of sour passion fruit. Under irrigation with moderately saline water, the plastic film in the soil and seed propagation promote higher production of sour passion fruit.

Ethanol Extract of Passiflora cincinnata Seeds Posses Antidiabetic, Antiglycant, and Antioxidant Activities in vitro

This work aimed to investigate the antidiabetic, antiglycation, and antioxidant potentials of the ethanol extract of seeds of Passiflora cincinnata (EPCIN) in vitro. The EPCIN was evaluated from the following assays: total phenolic content (TPC – mg of Gallic Acid Equivalents (GAE)/g of dry extract), Radical Scavenging Assays (DPPH•, HOCl-scavenging assay), and protective effects against glycation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) with methylglyoxal (MGO) or a mixture of reducing sugars, fructose and glucose, as well as the potential for MGO capture by derivatization with ortho-phenylenediamine (OPD). To evaluate the antidiabetic activity of EPCIN in vitro, we used the assays of enzymes α-amylase (4 U/mL), α-glucosidase (0.25 U/mL), and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4 – 3.125 mU). The cell viability of EPCIN-pretreated normal human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) alone or in the presence of the carcinogen 4-[(acetoxymethyl)nitrosamine]-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNKOAc) was measured using MTS assay. Quercetin (QCT), piceatannol (PIC), acarbose (ACB), and sitagliptin (STG) were used for comparison purposes. EPCIN had an average of TPC 157.0 ± 1.5 mg of GAE/g of dry extract, exhibited IC50 for DPPH• and HOCl of 11.9 ± 1.8 μg/mL and 6.9 ± 0.9 μg/mL, respectively. EPCIN and AMG inhibited the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGE) with IC50 of 574 ± 8.7 and 31.9 ± 2.7 μg/mL for the initial stage and 542.6 ± 2.7 and 52.8 ± 8.1 μg/mL for the intermediate stage of glycation, respectively. EPCIN showed IC50 for α-amylase and α-glucosidase of 218.2 ± 15.9 μg/mL (p&lt;0,05) and 242.0 ± 25 μg/mL (p&lt;0,05), respectively. EPCIN did not show cytotoxicity for BEAS-2B cells at 10 and 50 μg/mL concentrations. In addition, it was also able to protect cultured human cells from oxidative stress caused by the NNKOAc at 100 μM. The in vitro evidence of the potential antioxidant, antiglycant, and antidiabetic effects warrants further investigation of the antidiabetic potential of Passiflora cincinnata seeds.

Ethanol Extract of Passiflora cincinnata Seeds Posses Antidiabetic, Antiglycant, and Antioxidant Activities in vitro

This work aimed to investigate the antidiabetic, antiglycation, and antioxidant potentials of the ethanol extract of seeds of Passiflora cincinnata (EPCIN) in vitro. The EPCIN was evaluated from the following assays: total phenolic content (TPC – mg of Gallic Acid Equivalents (GAE)/g of dry extract), Radical Scavenging Assays (DPPH•, HOCl-scavenging assay), and protective effects against glycation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) with methylglyoxal (MGO) or a mixture of reducing sugars, fructose and glucose, as well as the potential for MGO capture by derivatization with ortho-phenylenediamine (OPD). To evaluate the antidiabetic activity of EPCIN in vitro, we used the assays of enzymes α-amylase (4 U/mL), α-glucosidase (0.25 U/mL), and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4 – 3.125 mU). The cell viability of EPCIN-pretreated normal human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) alone or in the presence of the carcinogen 4-[(acetoxymethyl)nitrosamine]-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNKOAc) was measured using MTS assay. Quercetin (QCT), piceatannol (PIC), acarbose (ACB), and sitagliptin (STG) were used for comparison purposes. EPCIN had an average of TPC 157.0 ± 1.5 mg of GAE/g of dry extract, exhibited IC50 for DPPH• and HOCl of 11.9 ± 1.8 μg/mL and 6.9 ± 0.9 μg/mL, respectively. EPCIN and AMG inhibited the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGE) with IC50 of 574 ± 8.7 and 31.9 ± 2.7 μg/mL for the initial stage and 542.6 ± 2.7 and 52.8 ± 8.1 μg/mL for the intermediate stage of glycation, respectively. EPCIN showed IC50 for α-amylase and α-glucosidase of 218.2 ± 15.9 μg/mL (p&lt;0,05) and 242.0 ± 25 μg/mL (p&lt;0,05), respectively. EPCIN did not show cytotoxicity for BEAS-2B cells at 10 and 50 μg/mL concentrations. In addition, it was also able to protect cultured human cells from oxidative stress caused by the NNKOAc at100 μM. The in vitro evidence of the potential antioxidant, antiglycant, and antidiabetic effects warrants further investigation of the antidiabetic potential of Passiflora cincinnata seeds.

Fenologia reprodutiva de Passiflora cincinnata Mast. na região semiárida do Estado da Bahia, Brasil, com base em dados de herbário e interpolação pelo inverso da distância - IDW

ABSTRACT We investigated intensity and seasonality of the reproductive phenology of Passiflora cincinnata Mast. and estimated its flowering and fruiting periods by interpolation using Inverse Distance Weighting, for the first time in phenology, based on herbarium collections from Bahia State, Northeastern Brazil. Data from 249 exsiccates with flowers and/or fruits were analyzed to estimate the amplitude of flowering and fruiting and test the seasonality using the circular statistics. Passiflora cincinnata flowering and fruiting was greatest from October to May. The maps generated by interpolation showed greatest probability of flowering and fruiting between March and May in sites with mean annual rainfall rates between 500 and 1000 mm. Our results indicated seasonality of flowering and fruiting, with reduced intensities during the austral winter. The interpolation methodology can be used in a complementary or preliminary way, either to organize field visits and set up experiments, or to extrapolate field results for larger-scale views.

Structure and molecular genetic diversity in natural populations and active germplasm banks of Passiflora cincinnata Mast.

Structure and molecular genetic diversity in natural populations and active germplasm banks of Passiflora cincinnata Mast.

Trocas gasosas e produtividade de maracujazeiro-amarelo enxertado sob estresse salino e cobertura plástica

ABSTRACT Irrigation with saline water is one of the main factors that limit gas exchange and yield of yellow passion fruit in the semi-arid region of Brazil. The use of wild species of Passiflora ssp. tolerant to salinity as a rootstock and the application of mulching with plastic film can attenuate the effects of salt stress. The objective of present study was to evaluate the application of plastic film mulching and irrigation with saline water on the gas exchange and yield of yellow passion fruit grafted on P. cincinnata. The experiment was carried out under field conditions, from September 2019 to February 2021, in a 2 × (2 × 2) factorial scheme, in randomized blocks, in split plots and four replications. The treatments were related to irrigation with low-salinity (0.5 dS m-1) and high-salinity (4.5 dS m-1) water in yellow passion fruit plants, accession ‘Guinezinho’, propagated by seed and grafted on Passiflora cincinnata in the soil without and with plastic mulching. Irrigation with 4.5 dS m-1 water reduced gas exchange and yield of yellow passion fruit, but did not affect plants in the plastic mulched soil. Yellow passion fruit grafted on P. cincinnata showed increases in CO2 assimilation rate, but it was not reflected in fruit yield. For cultivation under high salinity conditions (4.5 dS m-1), it is recommended to use yellow passion fruit propagated by seeds in the soil with plastic film mulching.

Antioxidant and antiglycation activities and inhibitory action of Passiflora cincinnata on collagenase, elastase and tyrosinase: in vitro and in silico study

Passiflora species are widely used in folk medicine due to their sedative and anxiolytic activities; however, scientific studies also showed different biological activities (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antimicrobial). The present study aimed to characterize the phytochemical profile of P. cincinnata hydroethanolic extract, evaluate its antioxidant and antiglycation activities and evaluate in silico molecular docking of its main flavonoids. Phytochemical characterization was performed by quantification of total polyphenols and flavonoids content, and High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS) analysis. Antioxidant activity was determined by 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), Nitric oxide (NO) and Thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) tests. Antiglycation activity was determined by Relative Electrophoretic Mobility (REM) and free amino groups assays. P. cincinnata presented total polyphenols (62 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) g−1 dry weight (DW)) and flavonoids (57 mg rutin equivalent (RE) g−1 DW), besides HPLC-MS showed the presence of different flavonoids glucoside, mainly vitexin and orientin. The extract presented antioxidant activity by DPPH (76.60%), FRAP (276.70 μM trolox equivalent (TE) g−1 DW), TBARS (80.30% inhibition) and NO (10.10 μM mL−1 nitrite formed). REM demonstrated that extract presents antiglycation activity similar to Bovine serum albumin treated with Aminoguanidine; additionally, it showed 22% free amino groups. In silico assay demonstrated that orientin exhibited the highest interaction with DNA and the best docking score with elastase and collagenase. Therefore, the present study showed the protective properties of P. cincinnata hydroethanolic extract against oxidative stress and glycation. It also showed the presence of polyphenols and flavonoids, and their interaction with DNA and enzymes.

Hypolipidemic potential and safety profile of the ethanolic extract and flour of the peel of Passiflora Cincinnata Mast. (Passifloraceae) in mice

Passiflora cincinnata Mast. is described as a native Caatinga species, used by nutritional and medicinal purposes, although there are still few studies and pharmacological data related to this species. This paper aims to evaluate the safety profile and hypolipidemic potential of the fruit peel of this species in mice. It was analyzed the chemical composition of ethanolic extract (EtOH-Pc) by HPLC-DAD-MS/MS, and the organic and inorganic composition of flour (MF-Pc). Also were evaluated the acute toxicity, the lipid-lowering potential of these samples, through of a pretreatment (oral: 100 and 200 mg/kg), and a single treatment with the same doses, after hyperlipidemic induction with triton WR-1339, using as animal model Swiss Mus musculus mice, besides histopathological analysis. The presence of flavonoids in the extract was confirmed, mainly C-glycosides, and antioxidant minerals and pectin, in flour. No clinical signs of toxicity or death were reported in the study. In the hyperlipidemia study model used, the analyzed substances, at all doses, notably decreased the lipid levels of TC, TG, LDL-c and VLDL-c and increase the HDL-c levels in the induced hyperlipidemic mice (p < 0.05). The results of the histopathological analysis showed that in the group only induced was identified the discrete presence of hepatic steatosis, in 2 animals at the analysis of 24 h, not being visualized in the groups treated with the substances evaluated. The results obtained in the present study suggest a hypolipidemic potential of the extract and flour, obtained from the fruit peel of Passiflora cincinnata Mast.

Novel avenues for passion fruit in vitro regeneration from endosperm culture, and morpho-agronomic and physiological traits of triploid Passiflora cincinnata Mast. emblings

Novel avenues for passion fruit in vitro regeneration from endosperm culture, and morpho-agronomic and physiological traits of triploid Passiflora cincinnata Mast. emblings

Optimization of pectinolytic hydrolysis in Caatinga passion fruit wine must with commercial pectinase, according to the central composite rotatable design approach

The Passiflora cincinnata Mast. has high flavor and potential for wine and other alcoholic beverages production. However, for wine production, the presence of pectin becomes undesirable, as it influences the efficiency of the fermentation process and the clarity of the final product. The objective of this study was to optimize the pectin hydrolysis process in Caatinga passion fruit must for wine production with pectinolytic enzymes, using a Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD). The 2³ factorial CCRD, E01 to E17 assays, was applied with six axial tests and three replications in the central point. Caatinga passion fruit must was obtained with pulp and distilled water (40:60 proporcion). Commercial enzyme with high concentration of pectinase was tested. Concentration of enzyme (0.014-0.056 g L-1), working temperature (43-57°C) and reaction time (12-139min) were the independent variables in the optimization process; and the soluble pectin content (mg 100g-1) corresponded to a process-dependent variable. Prior to the beginning of the assays, in order to provide the optimum working pH range for the pectinase, correction of the must pH to 3.9. The initial Caatinga passion fruit wine must had 24.06 mg 100g-1 of soluble pectin in its composition. After the optimization using CCRD, the treatments presented pectin contents ranging from 6.81 (E16: 0.014g L-1/50°C/75min) to 0.00 mg 100 g-1 (E05: 0.05 g L-1/45°C/ 30min and E06: 0.05 g L-1/45°C/120min). According to the results, to a satisfactory process of pectin hydrolysis in Caatinga passion fruit wine must be added 0.05 g L-1 of pectinase at 45°C for 30min.