Abstract
The proximate compositions, mineral contents, antioxidant capacity and bioactive compounds of 7 native Amazon fruits were chemically evaluated. The majority of the fruits showed high moisture contents (> 63.02%), and ash, total crude protein and total carbohydrate contents in the ranges of 0.22–2.07%, 0.17–2.44% and 7.17–41.71%, respectively. High levels of total lipids were found in uxi (23.25%) and monguba (18.67%). A wide range of mineral contents was detected and the highest levels were found in the samples of monguba seeds (Ca, Cu, Mg, and Zn), uxi pulp (Fe, and Mn) and pajurá pulp (Na). All the fruits showed antioxidant capacity, but the pajurá revealed the highest potential, statistically similar to that of acerola (p < 0.05). The highest vitamin C contents were found in bacuri and cupuaçu and the highest phenolic compound contents in monguba and pajurá fruits, but flavonoids were only detected in pajurá. A statistical correlation between the Na content and antioxidant capacity was also observed. Based on the results obtained, the fruits analyzed are suitable for use in the human diet, in the food and cosmetics industries as well as in pharmaceutical compositions.
Keywords:
Native fruits; Amazon; Chemical composition; Minerals; Antioxidant capacity; Bioactive compounds
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