Physicochemical characterization and bioactive potential in Ceylon gooseberry (Dovyalis hebecarpa Warb) fruits

Resumo

Due tto the great variety of native and exotic fruits of the Brazilian flora, works that are dedicated to identify the physicochemical and bioactive value, allow adding value to these fruits. Among them is Ceylon gooseberry, which has great nutritional potential and health benefits. The objective of this work was to characterize the physicochemical and bioactive composition of the fruits of Ceylon gooseberry in the "ripe" stage (purplish color of the peel) and at the ideal point of harvest. The fruits of Ceylon gooseberry were harvested from plants at the UNIOESTE Experimental Campus in Marechal Cândido Rondon, PR. For the physicochemical composition, bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of the fruits, the following analyzes were carried out: Fresh mass, longitudinal and transversal length, LD/TD, yield of constituent parts, soluble solids, titratable acidity, SS/TA, pH, ascorbic acid, total carotenoids, yellow flavonoids, total anthocyanins, total chlorophyll, total extractable polyphenols, DPPH and FRAP. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), obtaining the average values and standard deviations of the fruits of Ceylon gooseberry. Ceylon gooseberry fruits have shown to be of good quality for fresh consumption, mainly because they contain significant amounts of soluble solids in the pulp (18.25 °Brix) and high pulp yield (90.19%) and also be considered as a bioactive source, standing out the high levels of ascorbic acid in the pulp (142.09 mg/100g) and total anthocyanins in the peel (94.13 mg/100g), which are of great importance for the agro-industrial and in targeting as a promoter of benefits for human health. Thus, the results obtained are relevant to add value to the fruit of the Ceylon gooseberry, allowing to support strategies for the development and use of products obtained from this fruit species.

Keywords: Salicaceae, exotic fruit, biochemical compounds, pigments.

Linha de pesquisa: Biotecnologia.

Categoria: Doutorado.

Pesquisador da Embrapa responsável pelo bolsista: Lilia Aparecida Salgado de Morais.