Anion Composition of Açaı́ Extracts

Abstract

Many products labeled açaı́ are presently marketed as natural supplements with various claimed health benefits. Authentic açaı́ is expensive; as a result, numerous products labeled as containing açaı́ are being sold that actually contain little or no açaı́. Authentic açaı́ samples from Brazil and Florida as well as several reputed açaı́ products were analyzed by suppressed conductometric anion chromatography. Columns with different selectivities were used to obtain a complete separation of all anions. Tandem mass spectrometry was used for confirmation of the less common ions. Quinate, lactate, acetate, formate, galacturonate, chloride, sulfate, malate, oxalate, phosphate, citrate, isocitrate, and myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (phytate) were found. Only the Florida açaı́ had detectable levels of hexanoate. No açaı́ sample had any detectable levels of tartrate, which is present in abundance in grape juice, the most common adulterant. The highly characteristic anion profile and in particular the absence of tartrate can readily be used to identify authentic açaı́ products. Açaı́ from Florida had a 6 times greater level of phytate. The present analytical approach for phytate may be superior to extant methods.

Bioaccessibility of Essential Elements in Açaı́ (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) Pulp

“…Açaı́, also known as açaı́ or assai, is a berry from Central and South America that is widely cultivated in northern Brazil . There are 28 known species of açaı́ palms, among them, only two are commercially used .…”

“…Acaı ́, also known as acaı ́or assai, is a berry from Central and South America that is widely cultivated in northern Brazil. 1 There are 28 known species of acaı ́palms, among them, only two are commercially used. 2 The Euterpe precatoria species is found in the Amazon River Basin, and the Euterpe oleracea species, popularly known as "acaı ́-do-Para" (Euterpe oleracea Mart.…”

Determination of phytate in high molecular weight, charged organic matrices by two-dimensional size exclusion-ion chromatography

“…In the case of phytate analysis, a size exclusion method provides a common procedure regardless of the sample matrix. Recently, ion chromatography (IC) has been gaining popularity as the analytical technique for speciating phosphorus [12][13][14][15]. Additionally, size exclusion chromatography has been shown as an effective method of fractionating large molecular weight humic acids [16,17].…”

Enigmatic Ion-Exchange Behavior of myo-Inositol Phosphates

“…Phytate chelates iron and prevents it from initiating oxidative damage; it may potentially help prevent Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases . We recently reported on the determination of phytate in Açaí berry extracts by hydroxide gradient ion chromatography (IC) . Phytate will have a −12 charge , in a strongly alkaline eluent; elution of an ion with a −12 charge is thought to be essentially impossible.…”

“…3 We recently reported on the determination of phytate in Acai ́berry extracts by hydroxide gradient ion chromatography (IC). 8 Phytate will have a −12 charge 7,9 in a strongly alkaline eluent; elution of an ion with a −12 charge is thought to be essentially impossible. Yet we found it to elute shortly after citrate on several anion-exchange columns using relatively mild eluent concentrations.…”