Chemical characterization, bioactive compounds, centesimal composition and mineral contents in abiurana, a native fruit of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abiurana (Pouteria torta) is a native tree to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, belonging to the family Sapotaceae. The fruits are large, spherical, pubescent, white pulp aspect gelatinous and with latex, yellowish, and have a pleasant aroma and sweet taste.
The characterization of fruits is the first step in knowing the nutritional, functional, and economic potential of the fruit.
Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the chemical characteristics, bioactive compounds, centesimal and mineral composition of abiurana fruits, to determine their potential as functional food and consumption fresh and processed fruit.
Ripe fruits were harvested from the trees in a private property located in the municipality of Campina do Monte Alegre-SP and transported to the Postharvest Laboratory of Horticultural Products at Piracicaba-SP for analyses.
Soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), SSC/TA ratio, pH, soluble sugar, soluble and total pectin, total chlorophyll and total carotenoids, yellow flavonoids, total anthocyanins, total phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity (ABTS), centesimal composition, and mineral contents were estimated.
Fruits contained 18.3% SSC and 0.11% citric acid.
Regarding bioactive compounds, levels of total carotenoids were 0.83 mg g^-1 in which levels of yellow flavonoids and total anthocyanins were 9.69 and 6.06 mg 100 g^-1, respectively.
Total phenolic compounds were 617.39 mg 100 g^-1. Antioxidant activity was 37.29 µM Trolox equivalent g^-1 fresh weight (FW). Fruits showed considerable levels of proteins and ether extract with 5.87 and 5.13 g 100 g^-1 dry weight (DW), respectively.
Phosphorus (92 mg 100 g^-1), potassium (638 mg 100 g^-1) and iron (3.05 mg 100 g^-1) dry weight (DW) were also estimated.
Collectively, these results showed that the native fruit abiurana is a good source of bioactive compounds and mineral contents as has high prospect of being considered as a functional food and has a great potential to be exploited as fresh and processed fruit.

VIII International Postharvest Symposium: Enhancing Supply Chain and Consumer Benefits – Ethical and Technological Issues

A.P.G. da Silva, A.C.A. Miguel, A.P. Jacomino

Pouteria torta, anthocyanins, flavonoids, polyphenols, postharvest quality

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1194.193