Chemical characterization of grumixama-açu (Eugenia villaenovae Kiaersk.) fruit: A new source of bioactive compounds

Abstract

Eugenia villaenovae is a species of the Myrtaceae family native to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The aim of this study was to determine the centesimal composition, concentration of bioactive and volatile compounds in the edible parts of E. villaenovae fruit, providing information about this unknown and endangered species and determining its nutritional and functional potential. The fruits were collected, botanically identified, and evaluated for proximate composition, sugar, carotenoids, anthocyanins, phenolic compounds profile by High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and volatile compounds by Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The fruit presented 15.09 g/100 g of total dietary fiber and high content of total carotenoids (25,649 µg/100 g). The main carotenoid was lycopene (11,002.67 µg/100 g), followed by β-cryptoxanthin (8752.33 µg/100 g). The fruits also presented high levels of total anthocyanins (108.13 mg/100 g). The main anthocyanin was cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (79.75 mg/100 g), followed by delphinidin-3-O-glucoside (28.38 mg/100 g). Its major phenolic compound was gallic acid (999.00 mg/100 g) and isoquercetin (24.00 mg/100 g). The main volatile compound was (E)-caryophyllene, which represents 23.4 % of the total volatile compounds. The determination of the unprecedented composition of E. villaenovae indicates that the fruit can be considered a functional food, standing out as a source of lycopene, anthocyanins and fibers.