Objective The presence of dietary bioactive compounds in the human diet becomes a major factor in combating the etiology of different pathologies. Thus, the aim of this investigation was to evaluate the fatty acids profile, cardiovascular functionality indices, bioactive compounds and spectroscopic pattern of peach palm oil (pupunha oil) and their impact on human health. Methods The oil was obtained by soxhlet extraction; the oil yield and qualities were determined according to the standards of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. For the fatty acids profile, the practical recommendations of the American Oil Chemists’ Society and of the International Organization for Standardization were followed. Total carotenoids and polyphenols were determined by spectrophotometry; the composition of the chemical groups was determined by infrared spectroscopy. The anti-atherogenic, antithrombogenic and hypocholesterolemic indices were obtained using mathematical models. Results The results showed good quality oil based on acid and peroxyde indices (2.45±0.33mg KOH g-1 and 5.47±1.05mEq kg-1). The main fruit bioactive compound was β-carotene (832.4±0.64µg/100g). The chromatographic profile showed a high saturated fatty acid content (53.74%); unsaturated (46.25%); fats were monounsaturated (39.66%) and polyunsaturated (6.59%). The antiatherogenic, antithrombogenic and hypocholesterolemic indices were, on average, 1.10, 2.04 and 0.84, respectively. The spectroscopic profile exhibited bands with variation from 2918.8cm-1 to 714cm-1. Conclusion The results indicate that the consumption of isolated lipid content of the pupunha palm oil provides health protection with emphasis on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

The objective of this research was to analyze the industrial potential of a bacaba powder (Oenocarpus bacaba) obtained by different drying methods, evaluating antioxidant activity, spectroscopic and morphological behavior and addition to the composition of inorganic elements. The content of anthocyanins, flavonoids and carotenoids of each powder were determined as well as the total phenolic compounds. The structure of the granules of the powder were visualized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the elemental composition was attained by the X-ray spectroscopic energy dispersive system (EDS). The data suggest that the freeze-drying method is more efficient in obtaining the bacaba powder material. The increase in temperature applied in the convection drying process caused a reduction in the bioactive compound content and elements with antioxidant activity, it severely damaged the morphology of the plant membrane and influenced the composition of the spectral bands. Thus, this study indicates that the freezer-drying method could be particularly useful for obtaining bacaba powder in off-season periods, and that bacaba itself is a raw material that could be exploited by several industrial segments.

Plantas para o futuro: compilação de dados de composição nutricional do araçá-boi, buriti, cupuaçu, murici e pupunha Plants for the future: data compilation of nutritional composition of guava-boi, burity, cupuaçu, murici and peach palm

The objective of this study was to obtain and characterize a freeze-dried powder of taioba leaves (Xanthosoma t aioba) as a source of bioactive substances and potential food applications. The fresh leaves were cooked and lyophilized for further analysis. Its bioactive contents expressed in flavonoids, ascorbic acid and total polyphenols were quantified. Total antioxidant activity (TAA) was determined by ABTS assays. The chemical composition via infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and its microstructure were visualized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The bioactive contents of flavonoids, ascorbic acid and polyphenols were 17.15 mg/100 g, 58.3 mg/100 g and 24.15 mg Eq. of gallic acid/100 g, respectively. A high content of TAA was found. ABTS 37.35 (µg TE/g). The FTIR spectrum revealed high-intensity bands at 3350 cm -1 , 2928 cm -1 , 1637 cm -1 , and 1055 cm -1 related to vibrations associated with typical bands of −OH groups present in cellulose membranes, hemicellulose, carbohydrates, lignin and water. The micrographs showed irregular structures of the ground leaves with a fibrous structure. These results indicate a high potential of this raw material in food formulations as a source of bioactives suitable for applications in various industrial segments.

The aim of this study was to obtain and characterize a lyophilized leaf powder from Acmella oleracea (LPA) as a functional food ingredient. Sorption isotherms of LPA display a monolayer moisture content of 9.1 and 9.3 g H2O 100 g–1 for adsorption and desorption, respectively. The flavonoids, ascorbic acid, and total polyphenols content, were approximately 235 mg 100 g–1, 18 mg 100 g–1, and 2,480 mg GAE 100 g–1, respectively. The antioxidant activity by TEAC showed the greatest value, ~291 mg TE L–1, against DPPH and FRAP assays (p < .05). The FTIR spectrum revealed high intensity bands at 3,400 cm–1 related to vibrations of cellulose and organic acids. The thermo‐behavior showed an initial degradation temperature at 222°C and peak temperature of 278°C. These results indicate great potential of LPA as a natural source of bioactive compounds, which could contribute to its utilization as a functional ingredient in foods. Practical applications The lyophilized leaf powder from Acmella oleracea as a natural source of bioactive compounds could contribute to its utilization as a functional ingredient in foods.