Lesser-Consumed Tropical Fruits and Their by-Products: Phytochemical Content and Their Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Potential

Abstract

Açaí, lychee, mamey, passion fruit and jackfruit are some lesser-consumed tropical fruits due to their low commercial production. In 2018, approximately 6.8 million tons of these fruits were harvested, representing about 6.35% of the total world production of tropical fruits. The present work reviews the nutritional content, profile of bioactive compounds, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity of these fruits and their by-products, and their ability to modulate oxidative stress due to the content of phenolic compounds, carotenoids and dietary fiber. Açaí pulp is an excellent source of anthocyanins (587 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents/100 g dry weight, dw), mamey pulp is rich in carotenoids (36.12 mg β-carotene/100 g fresh weight, fw), passion fruit peel is rich in dietary fiber (61.16 g/100 dw). At the same time, jackfruit contains unique compounds such as moracin C, artocarpesin, norartocarpetin and oxyresveratrol. These molecules play an important role in the regulation of inflammation via activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (including p38, ERK and JNK) and nuclear factor κB pathways. The properties of the bioactive compounds found in these fruits make them a good source for use as food ingredients for nutritional purposes or alternative therapies. Research is needed to confirm their health benefits that can increase their marketability, which can benefit the primary producers, processing industries (particularly smaller ones) and the final consumer, while an integral use of their by-products will allow their incorporation into the circular bioeconomy.

Association between Consumption of Dietary Supplements and Chronic Kidney Disease Prevalence: Results of the Korean Nationwide Population-Based Survey

“…This renoprotective effect is attributed to the high content of flavonoids, polyphenols, and other bioactive compounds with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [ 46 , 49 ]. However, high concentrations of flavonoids in berries, especially anthocyanins, have been reported to have a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitory action similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) [ 26 , 50 ]. NSAID-induced COX inhibition is known to be associated with CKD progression; therefore, we do not exclude the possibility that chronic use of berries may produce a similar clinical phenotype [ 51 , 52 ].…”

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) in Health and Disease: A Critical Review

“…Several phenolic acids (e.g., ferulic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid), flavonoids (e.g., catechin and quercetin), lignans, and procyanidin oligomers have been reported in the phytochemical profile of açaí fruit [ 20 , 31 , 32 ]. The predominant carotenoids (terpenoids) found in açaí fruit are lutein, α-carotene, 13-cis-β-carotene, and 9-cis-β-carotene ( Figure 3 ) [ 33 ].…”

Residuos agroindustriales como fuente de nutrientes y compuestos fenólicos

“…Algunos RAI fuente de CF incluyen la cáscara de aguacate, la cáscara de mango, orujo de uva, residuo de café, residuo de la obtención de aceites, restos de frutas tropicales, entre otros [7], [12], [15], [41], [44], [45]. La tabla 1 resume algunos ejemplos de RAI como fuentes de CF (incluidos flavonoides, ácidos fenólicos y sus glucósidos, entre otros), así como de lípidos, proteínas y fibra descritos en las secciones anteriores y los rendimientos de cada uno.…”

“…Una de las estrategias para aprovechar los RAI es su incorporación a la línea de producción o usarlos en una segunda cadena de producción. Dentro de las posibles alternativas de su uso se encuentran la obtención de compuestos bioactivos o nutrientes, los cuales se pueden utilizar como ingredientes para la formulación de alimentos funcionales y nutracéuticos o con funcionalidad tecnológica (figura 1), además de otras opciones como fuentes de proteína alternativa, generación de energía, aplicaciones en industria farmacéutica y cosmética [7], [8].…”