Tarumã-do-Cerrado (Vitex cymosa Bertero ex Spreng) for Food Diversity and Nutraceutical Products

Abstract

Background: Tarumã-do-Cerrado (Vitex cymosa Bertero ex Spreng, TC) is a littleexplored Brazilian native fruit. Objective: The sustainable bioprospecting of new fruits is essential to devise strategies for preventing and treating noncommunicable diseases, like obesity, and even contribute to food diversity and discovering functional ingredients. Methods: This study evaluated the proximate composition, minerals, dietary fiber, and their fractions, phenolic compounds by two types of extraction, and antioxidant activity in the TC edible part. We also determined its fatty acid profile from the seed’s crude oil. Results: TC has 100 g low-fat content (0.19 g) containing good phosphorus (91.50 mg) source and is rich in chromium (0.05 mg) and molybdenum (0.53 mg). It has a high range of dietary fiber in fresh and freeze-dried fruit (4.01 g and 26.23 g, respectively). The different extraction conditions showed medium to high content (101.58 to 598.80 µg GAE/100 g) of phenolic compounds. Antioxidant activity has been demonstrated in vitro using electron or hydrogen/proton transfer mechanisms. The crude oilseed is a source of oleic (35.91%) and linoleic acid (32.20%). Conclusion: TC provides essential nutrients, fibers, and bioactive compounds to be allied to sustainable health strategies for food diversity and nutraceutical product development.