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‘Araçá of Cerrado’ from the Brazilian Savannah: physical characteristics, chemical composition, and content of carotenoids and vitamins
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 November 2013
Abstract
Introduction. The Brazilian Savannah has one of the richest biodiversities in the world and contains native fruits presenting high nutritional value. These fruits are the basis for sustaining wildlife and also serve as a food source for the population. Among these, the ‘araçá of Cerrado’ (Psidium firmum O. Berg), a fruit found naturally in the Brazilian Savannah, stands out. Therefore, we evaluated the physical characteristics, chemical composition, and occurrence and content of vitamin C, carotenoids, vitamin E and folates in ‘araçá of Cerrado’ from the Savannah of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Materials and methods. Titratable acidity was determined by volumetric neutralization, pH by potentiometry, soluble solids by refractometry, moisture using an oven, ash using a muffle furnace, protein by the micro-Kjeldhal method, total dietary fiber by the gravimetric non-enzymatic method, and lipids with a Soxhlet extractor. Vitamin C (ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids) and carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and lycopene) were analyzed by HPLC-DAD. Vitamin E (α, β, γ and δ-tocopherols and α, β, γ and δ-tocotrienols) and folates (tetrahydrofolate, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and 5-formyltetrahydrofolate) were analyzed by HPLC with fluorescence detection. Results and discussion. The araçá presented a high pulp yield (81.43%), soluble solids (11.93 °Brix), moisture (77.46%), dietary fiber (12.32 g·100 g–1) and folates (47.25 mg·100 g–1). It presented a low total energy value of 43.19 kcal·100 g–1, and low contents of carotenoids (0.32 mg·100 g–1) and vitamin E (336.43 mg·100 g–1). Vitamin C was not found in the fruit. Conclusion. ‘araçá of Cerrado’ fruit stands out due to its high yield and showed good nutritional value, being classified as an excellent source of dietary fiber and at least a source of folates. Thus, its consumption should be encouraged.
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- © 2013 Cirad/EDP Sciences
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