Phytochemistry divergence among guarana genotypes as a function of agro‐industrial characters

Abstract

Guarana [Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis (Mart.) Ducke] is a typical South American plant, native to the Amazon, with subspontaneous occurrence in Maués, Amazonas, Brazil, where it was domesticated and cultivated by the Sateré‐Mawé indigenous community. Guarana is an original Brazilian product with great economic and industrial potential owing to the energetic, antioxidant, and medicinal properties of its seeds. In spite of its importance, there is still a gap in knowledge about genetic diversity and adaptations that might improve agro‐industrial uses of guarana seeds. This study was aimed at estimating phytochemical diversity, classification, and typology of guarana genotypes. Agro‐industrial potential among eight genotypes was estimated based on phytochemical characters (theobromine, caffeine, catechin, and epicatechin content, quantified by high performance liquid chromatography) and yield in three locations from harvests between 2015 and 2016. Phytochemical divergence was assessed by the mean Euclidean distance. Grouping was performed by the unweighted pair‐group method using arithmetic averages. Metabolite content varied considerably between genotypes (e.g., among caffeine [3.23–7.35%], catechin [0.20–3.57%], and epicatechin [0.09–4.22%]), and dry seed yield was the character with the greatest variation (0.048–5.13 kg plant−1). The metabolic profile variations of the genotypes were clustered into three chemotypes: energetic and antioxidant guarana (genotypes CIR815, CIR904, and CMA498); antioxidant guarana (genotypes BRS‐Maués and CMU874); and energetic guarana (genotypes CMA831, CMU952, and BRS‐CG372). Genotypes CIR815, CIR904, and CMU874 have the potential to be future commercial cultivars, providing quality raw material for soft drinks, energy drinks, and pharmaceutical products.

Effects of the consumption of guarana on human health: A narrative review

“…Brazil is the only country that produces guarana commercially; however, low productivity related to high genetic variability represents an obstacle to the use of its full potential. Nina et al (2021) investigated the phytochemical diversity of several guarana genotypes cultivated in the Western Amazon region and identified considerable variability in metabolite content among them. Based on variations in caffeine, catechin, and epicatechin content, they classified the genotypes as three different chemotype groups: energetic & antioxidant, energetic, and antioxidant guarana.…”

Dinâmica de metabólitos e produção de frutos durante a safra de guaraná

“…Sabe-se até então que teobromina se concentra principalmente nas folhas, caules, inflorescências e pericarpo e a cafeína é acumulada principalmente em sementes, podendo atingir 6% dependendo da cultivar (Nina, Schimpl, Nascimento Filho, & Atroch, 2021;Schimpl et al, 2014). Para catequina e epicatequina foram relatados valores entre 1,3% a 1,5% de teor em sementes de guaraná (Nina et al, 2021;Sousa et al, 2010). Apesar desses estudos, não existe informação quanto a produção de metilxantinas e polifenóis ao longo do período de colheita do guaraná.…”

Soil Management in Indigenous Agroforestry Systems of Guarana (Paullinia cupana Kunth) of the Sateré-Mawé Ethnic Group, in the Lower Amazon River Region

“…In 2019, the national production reached 2761 tons [4] of which about 70% is absorbed by the soft drink industry, while the remaining 30% is sold as sticks of concentrated powder, syrup, powder or extract for export and for the pharmaceutical industry [5]. Currently, Sateré-Mawé's guarana, known for its pharmacological and therapeutic characteristics [6], is exported to European countries such as France and Italy.…”