Mauritia flexuosa: Botanical characteristics, Nutritional Composition, Potential Health Benefits, Climate Crisis and Sustainability.

Abstract

Brazil is internationally recognized for its rich biodiversity and favorable climate characteristics, abundant in a wide variety of trees, plants and fruit species spread across its rich biomes. Among these, it is possible to highlight Mauritia flexuosa L. f. (M. flexuosa), popularly known as buriti, which is a species of palm tree native to Brazilian flora and distributed in Cerrado and Amazon biomes. From a nutritional perspective, edible and non-edible parts are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, phenolic compounds and carotenoids, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, prebiotic and antidiabetic properties. Nutritional richness present in buriti was derived from its high content of bioactive compounds, which is classified as a functional food with potential health benefits that act in oxidative stress and chronic disease prevention. Therefore, the present review aims to compile data and information available in literature regarding the nutritional composition of Mauritia flexuosa, its potential benefits and mechanisms to human health, its applicability in industry, its toxicity, the climate crisis and sustainability. In summary, Mauritia flexuosa, stands out as a promising native species due to its rich nutritional content and wide array of bioactive compounds, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, prebiotic, and dermatological effects, that can treat and prevent several diseases. However, despite these promising results, important gaps in knowledge remain and more research is necessary to address the safe dose and molecular mechanisms involved in human health.