Ascorbic acid and phenolic contents, antioxidant capacity and flavonoids composition of Brazilian Savannah native fruits

Abstract Brazilian Savannah native fruits have been investigated as potential sources of antioxidant substances. Cagaita, cerrado cashew and gabiroba were characterized with regard to the ascorbic acid and phenolic contents, antioxidant capacity and flavonoids composition. Gabiroba presented higher contents of ascorbic acid (61.5 mg.100 g-1), total phenolic compounds (1,222.59 mg GAE.100 g-1), and antioxidant capacity (DPPH, FRAP and ORAC assays) than cagaita and cerrado cashew. The correlation coefficients between total ascorbic acid or total phenolic contents and antioxidant capacity were strong and significant (0.970 ≤ r ≤ 0.998). Quercetin derivatives were found in cagaita (1.94 mg.100 g-1) and myricetin derivatives in cerrado cashew (1.2 mg.100 g-1). Peonidin 3-glucoside was the main anthocyanin in cerrado cashew, and its flavonoids composition was first identified in this study. Gabiroba showed relevant catechin content (23.32 mg.100 g-1). These Brazilian native fruits may be considered as important sources of bioactive compounds, notably gabiroba, since it presents high phenolic contents and antioxidant capacity.

Compostos bioativos e atividade antioxidante de pseudofrutos decaju arbóreo do Cerrado / Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of arboreal cashew pseudo-fruit from Cerrado

Este trabalho analisou a composição centesimal, o conteúdo de vitamina C e de compostos fenólicos, e avaliou a atividade antioxidante de pseudofrutos de caju arbóreo do Cerrado, provenientes de três regiões do estado de Goiás. Os pseudofrutos apresentaram elevados teores de umidade (superiores a 80 %) e baixos teores de proteínas, lipídios, cinzas e carboidratos totais. Os pseudofrutos das regiões de Faina e Santa Terezinha podem ser considerados ricos em vitamina C. Os teores de compostos fenólicos observados nos pseudofrutos foram superiores ao de frutas como cajá, abacaxi e tamarindo. Estes compostos apresentaram atividade antioxidante relevante pelo método DPPH, e o consumo do pseudofruto de caju arbóreo pode ser recomendado como fonte complementar de antioxidantes dietéticos.

This study aimed to analyze the chemical composition, the vitamin C and total phenolic contents andthe antioxidant activity of arboreal cashew pseudo-fruits collected from three regions of the state ofGoiás, Brazil. The pseudo-fruits showed high moisture content (above 80 %) and low contents of protein,lipid, ash and total carbohydrates. The pseudo-fruits from Faina and Santa Terezinha’s regions might beconsidered rich in vitamin C. The phenolic contents were higher than those found in fruits like yellowmombin (cajá), pineapple and tamarind. These compounds showed significant antioxidant activity byDPPH methodology. Therefore, the consumption of arboreal cashew pseudo-fruit might be recommendedas an additional source of dietary antioxidants.