Chemical composition of umbu (Spondias tuberosa Arr. Cam) seeds

Abstract

Recebido em 20/10/05; aceito em 7/4/06; publicado na web em 11/8/06The umbu tree (Spondias tuberosa Arr. Cam) is an important fruit tree the economy of the semi-arid northeastern region of Brazil. With the objective of finding use for the seeds, physical and chemical characterizations of the seeds from 2 cultivars in 2 maturation stages were carried out and their fatty acid and mineral profiles determined. The results showed no differences between the seeds analyzed. The yield was about 10% and the dimensions as follows: length from 1.48 to 2.11 cm and width from 0.76 to 1.16 cm. The average lipid content was 55% of which 69% was unsaturated and the average protein content was 24%. The seeds were a good source of the following minerals: P, K, Mg, Fe and Cu. The overall results indicated that the oil or the seeds could be used for food stuffs if no toxic agents were found.

Yellow passion fruit seed oil (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa): physical and chemical characteristics

“…The presence of linoleic acid at appropriate levels is crucial, since it is an essential fatty acid. Comparing the total saturated and unsaturated fatty acids ratio in this study to those reported by Borges et al (2007) for the common oils such as peanut, corn and soybeans, it was found that the passion fruit seed oil (1/7.06) presented a profile similar to corn oil (1/6.70). Dubois et al (2007) ranked vegetable oils according to their fatty acid composition.…”

Spondias tuberosa Arruda (Anacardiaceae), a threatened tree of the Brazilian Caatinga?

“…The need to investigate the population dynamics of S. tuberosa to identify potential threats and protective measures is, however, well recognized. Since at least eight on-line magazine articles and blog entries broach the issue of the reduction in S. tuberosa density and hampered natural regeneration (Moser, 2013;ECOD, 2013;Cavalcanti, 2007Cavalcanti, , 2013Bartaburu, 2013;Cavalcanti and Resende, 2005).…”

“…In the human diet the fruit is consumed fresh or processed as juice, sweets, jam, ice cream, and umbuzada (fruit pulp boiled with milk and sugar) (Narain et al, 1992;Lins Neto et al, 2010). Borges et al (2007) state that during the fruit season, fruit picking and selling is a main source of earnings for the Caatinga dwellers, and can contribute significantly to household income (Barreto and Castro, 2010;Drumond et al, 2001;Reis et al, 2010). Fruit picking is virtually limited to extractivism as hardly any plantations have been established (Narain et al, 1992;Neves et al, 2004;Neves and Carvalho, 2005).…”

Qualidade física, fisiológica e superação de dormência de sementes de umbuzeiro (Spondias tuberosa Arr. Câmara)

“…Carvalho e Nakagawa (2000) afirmam que as sementes de maior tamanho são mais bem nutridas durante o seu desenvolvimento, possuindo embriões bem formados e com maior quantidade de substâncias de reserva, que para o umbuzeiro (Spondias tuberosa Arr. Câmara) tem predominância de lipídios e proteínas (BORGES et al, 2007), sendo classificadas como aleuro-oleaginosas.…”