Fruits and vegetables in general are sources of vitamins, minerals and fibers. Recently it has been verified the presence of bioactive compounds including carotenoids, anthocyanins and phenolic compounds, for which surveys have reported antioxidant action and therapeutic potential. The Bromelia antiacantha Bertol., popularly known asbanana do mato, caraguatá, gravata, carauatá and croatá occurs naturally in Rio Grande do Sul / Brazil. Scientific information on the nutritional composition and biological activity of this species is scarce. In this sense, the objective was to determine the physical and chemical composition, including the content of bioactive compounds of Bromelia antiacantha Bertol. High fat (5.07 ± 0.4%), ascorbic acid (60.01 ± 5.04 mg.100g-1) and carotenoids (162.67 ± 36.70 mg.100g-1) were found in the Bromelia antiacantha Bertol. species, as well as low-carbohydrate (8.75%).
Banana do mato; carotenoids; phenolic compounds; fiber; antioxidant capacity
