A study of the bioactive potential of seven neglected and underutilized leaves consumed in Brazil.

This study investigated the vitamin C content, total phenolic compounds (TPC), and the potential bioactivities (antioxidant, antiproliferative, antibacterial activities, and inhibition capacity against N-nitrosation) of seven neglected and underutilized species (NUS): culantro (Eryngium foetidum), false roselle (Hibiscus acetosella), roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), tree basil (Ocimum gratissimum), Barbados Gooseberry (Pereskia aculeata), purslane (Portulaca oleracea), and tannia (Xanthosoma sagittifolium). Phenolic-rich extracts were obtained by a sequential optimization strategy (Plackett-Burman and Central Composite Design). O. gratissimum presented the highest TPC and X. sagittifolium the greater total vitamin C content. Overall, the plant extracts presented promising bioactive capacities, as scavenging capacity against HOCl, H2O2 and ROO• induced oxidation. P. oleracea demonstrated the highest cytostatic effect against ovarian and kidney tumor cells. O. gratissimum effectively inhibited S. Choleraesuis growth. Maximum inhibition on n-nitrosation was showed by O. gratissimum and E. foetidum. These results highlight the studied NUS as sources of potential health-promoting compounds.

Chemical and nutritional characterization of raw and hydrothermal processed jambu (Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen).

Jambu (Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen) is a neglected plant native to the Amazon Biome. Although it is very consumed in the north of Brazil, little is known about its chemical and nutritional composition. Thus, this study aimed to characterize jambu and to evaluate the effects of the boiling process on its chemical composition. The proximate composition, minerals, total amino acids, fatty acids levels, and phytosterols were determined. In comparison with conventional vegetables jambu presented higher levels of protein (24.01%), ash (10.92%), total fiber (62.61%) some mineral such as Ca (2551.56 mg/100 g), Mg (734 mg/100 g) and Cu (2.09 mg/100 g), and amino acids such as asparagine (32.01 mg/g), glutamic acid (28.26 mg/g), valine (14.55 mg/g) and isoleucine (14.19 mg/g). A significant reduction was observed in carbohydrates, total dietary fibers, minerals, unsaturated fatty acids, and in some amino acid levels after the boiling process, with an increase in ash content, protein, and saturated fatty acids in the heat-treated jambu. Lipids, phytosterols, and some amino acid levels were not significantly affected by the hydrothermal process. Thus, this study has shown that raw and processed jambu may be good alternatives for conventional vegetables, even with nutrients losses during boiling.

Vitamin C in camu-camu [Myrciaria dubia (H.B.K.) McVaugh]: evaluation of extraction and analytical methods.

Camu-camu, a typical Amazonian fruit, is known for the high vitamin C content of the peel and pulp. As vitamin C is widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries, it is of interest to study new sources, extraction techniques, and analytical methods for the identification and quantification of this compound. Here, evaluation was made of extraction and quantification methods, as well as the differences in vitamin C content according to the origin and part of the camu-camu fruit. The extraction techniques studied were pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), acid extraction, and maceration. The analytical methods evaluated were titrimetry and chromatography. Camu-camu samples were obtained from different regions, and the peel and pulp were studied separately. Acid extraction using sulfuric acid as solvent provided the highest vitamin C yields, while PLE, as a completely clean technique, proved to be a promising alternative for the recovery of ascorbic acid (L-AA). The application of an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography methodology (UHPLC-DAD) enabled the fast identification and quantification of L-AA and dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA), with high resolution, sensitivity, and specificity. The results obtained using the chromatographic and titration methods were not significantly different (p < 0.05), indicating that titrimetry is useful for routine analyses. L-AA and DHAA were found in the peel, but only L-AA was found in the pulp. The variation of vitamin C content among the lots could be explained by the edaphoclimatic conditions. The combination of a clean extraction technique and a fast analytical method is a promising approach for the determination of vitamin C in food products.